Farmers Suicide Crisis in Maharashtra: Rakesh Tikait Demands MSP Law

Nanded, August 5: Rakesh Tikait, leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, reiterated his demand for a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) during his visit to Maharashtra. He stated that farmers will remain dissatisfied until their crop prices receive legal protection. Tikait accused the government of failing to provide fair prices for agricultural produce across the country, leading to an economic crisis for farmers.

While addressing journalists in Nanded, Tikait mentioned that farmer organizations are actively raising issues among farmers in various districts of Maharashtra. Following Nanded, he plans to visit Akola and other parts of the state. Maharashtra is one of the states with the highest cases of farmer suicides, compounded by declining yields and inadequate pricing for crops.

He emphasized that the MSP guarantee law is the foremost demand of farmers. Without this law, farmers will have to sell their produce at throwaway prices. Tikait urged Maharashtra’s farmers to actively participate in this struggle, stressing that it is not just a state issue but a national concern for all farmers.

Criticizing the government’s land acquisition policies, Tikait pointed out that land is being rapidly acquired across the country without providing fair compensation to farmers. In many cases, compensation is still being calculated based on 2013 circle rates, whereas the law mandates that farmers should receive four times the circle rate. He noted that in several locations, land is being acquired with only double the compensation.

Regarding potential trade agreements with the United States, Tikait expressed concerns that such deals could lead to a significant influx of grains, fruits, nuts, and other agricultural products from the U.S. into India, adversely affecting Indian farmers. He warned that if foreign agricultural products are subjected to zero percent tariffs while Indian products face tariffs as high as 18 percent, it would directly harm local farmers.

Opposing pending agricultural bills in Parliament, Tikait highlighted concerns over the Electricity Amendment Bill, Seed Bill, and Pesticide Bill. He recalled that during the farmers’ protest in Delhi, there was an agreement to halt the Electricity Amendment Bill, but it has now been reintroduced in Parliament. The MSP guarantee law, land acquisition issues, and trade agreements with the U.S. are the major concerns for farmers, and farmer organizations are conducting outreach campaigns nationwide on these topics.

When asked about the movement’s upcoming strategy, Tikait mentioned that meetings are ongoing in various states. He assured that information would be made public once a final decision is reached. The farmer organization is continuously writing to the government and urging opposition parties to raise these issues in Parliament.

Commenting on the recent ‘Cockroach People’s Party’ movement in Delhi, Tikait supported the protest but clarified that it was primarily a youth movement, which is why he did not send a large number of his workers, although they provided support from outside.

On questions regarding foreign funding for the CJP movement, Tikait stated he is unaware of any such funding. He emphasized that providing water, food, biscuits, or other essentials during protests should not be labeled as foreign funding. He continues to support the CJP movement, believing that the new generation knows how to fight for their issues effectively.

Responding to allegations against Abhijit Deepke of being a Pakistani agent, Tikait remarked that such accusations are common. He mentioned that he has faced similar allegations regarding connections to the U.S. and Canada, and thus does not take these claims seriously.