A large protest rally with hundreds of farmers in participation came out on the streets of Bangaluru, evidently taking the fiery farmer’s protests way beyond the borders of the national capital. Farmer-leaders like Darshan Pal, Rakesh Tikait and Yaduvir Singh were present addressing the farmers who had participated in the protest rally. Tikait has been heavily campaigning against the farm-laws in places like Kolkata, Delhi, Bangaluru & Jaipur.

Addressing a gathering in Jaipur, Tikait stated, “They (Centre) have tried to divide us on the lines of caste and religion but they were unsuccessful. You would need to go to Delhi when asked and have to breach barricades again.”

Also See: Overview of the Farmers’ unions in the protests

The farmers led by Darshan Pal, & Rakesh Tikait under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) at the Vidhana Soudha Chalo rally gave the call for Karnataka Bandh on March 26 in protest against the contentious farm-laws. The leader of the SKM-Karnataka unit, Badagalpura Nagendra gave a call for support to the bandh. The call for the bandh was later escalated into a call for Bharat bandh on March 26.

BKU president Rakesh Tikait on Tuesday stated that farmers need to hit the barricades again in and around Delhi. In his vitriolic comment on government and specifically Modi, Tikait stated, “PM Modi said farmers can sell crops anywhere. We will prove it by selling at State Assemblies, and the Parliament. No mandi can be better than Parliament.”

Also See: An overview of farmers’ protests- role of Charan Singh

In this regard, from a rally at Shivmogga, Karnataka, Rakesh Tikait also gave a call to take out the farmer-protest rallies in as many cities as possible. He also called out to the farmers, specifically those from Karanataka to make a second Delhi in Bangaluru and to Gherao the Karnataka-capital from all sides.

Taking a jibe at the supporters of the farm-laws in GOI, Rakesh Tikait added, “If the police stops you, ask them to buy crops on MSP.” This comment was given by Tikait as the laws are visibly intended to allow the farmers to sell their produce anywhere, but many doubt that the laws will ultimately benefit the cronies of the current regime at the centre, at the expense of the farmers. Using the platform of farmers’ protests, Tikait also raised his voice against the privatization of the PSUs.

Also Read: Trouble haunting BJP-Farmers’ movement reaches Bengal

The farmers’ protests have shown tremendous resilience & various farmers groups gradually have technically gheraoed Delhi on major arterial roads connecting the city with neighbouring states. It would be foolish to imagine or assume that the farmers’ protests have eroded in intensity & enthusiasm, as the reality is exactly the opposite with the protests having gained foothold across states in India.