Muzaffarnagar: BKU organized a tractor march in the city to address the issues of farmers, reports Amar Ujala.
The demands put forward included free irrigation, settlement of pending sugarcane payments, and conducting surveys in flood-affected areas. Long lines of tractors were seen on major roads. BKU spokesperson Chaudhary Rakesh Tikait stated that farmers are suffering due to the government’s unfavorable policies.
On Friday, BKU workers from across the district gathered at the field of Rajkiya Inter College. Under the leadership of BKU spokesperson Chaudhary Rakesh Tikait, the tractor march began in the afternoon. Farmers riding tractors waved the national flag while moving along Circular Road, Mahaveer Chowk, Minakshi Chowk, Shiv Chowk, Rani of Jhansi, Town Hall Road, Malviya Chowk, Railway Road, Roadways Bus Stand, and Prakash Chowk before returning to the GIC ground. Farmers were honored at various locations. Tikait and other farmers performed a puja ceremony at Shiv Chowk. Farmers handed over their demand letters related to their issues to District Magistrate Narendra Bahadur Singh.
Regarding the tractor march, BKU spokesperson Chaudhary Rakesh Tikait said that it was organized to highlight the problems faced by farmers. When asked about the Nuh issue, he stated that Indians, whether Hindus or Muslims, should not engage in conflicts. Due to inflation, it is becoming difficult for farmers and laborers to sustain their households. The government should address the issues of farmers, he said.
Among those who participated in the tractor rally were BKU’s National Secretary Om Pal Malik, District President Yogesh Sharma, Chairman Jahir Faruqui, Navin Rathi, Dheeraj Latiyan, Gulbahar Rao, Vikas Sharma, Kapil Som, and Ankur Baliyan.
The following demands were put forward by BKU activists:
Provide free electricity for irrigation.
Fix the price of sugarcane at ₹500 per quintal.
Provide farmers’ outstanding payments with compounded interest.
Establish village-level cow shelters to relieve livestock.
Implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.
Form a Farmers Commission.
Enact an MSP Guarantee Law.
