Rakesh Tikait demands COVID vaccine centres at Delhi protest sites after farmer succumbs

Two of farmers protesting on Delhi's borders against new farm laws died on Wednesday, one of whom was found to be COVID-19 positive. Reacting to developments, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait has put responsibility of deaths on government and put forward demand of setting up vaccination centres near protest sites. He reiterated farmers will not move from protest sites until laws are repealed. BKU spokesperson who has been first in line to make political hay via farmers' protest and has himself been vaccinated while making controversial statements regarding vaccinations, was dressing media outside Khera border where he h come to take stock of situation of farmers' protest.

"Sickness les to hospital and farmers' protest will le to Parliament so both are different. If someone is sick n it's job of government," Tikait said.

He also stated he has written to government to set up oxygen hospitals in villages. "We need that oxygen hospitals be set up. We have told government that we will assist m in this pandemic. Government should control this," he said.

"Farmers won't go anywhere. We won't budge until MSP is given and government speaks to us. Six months is not enough for a movement to continue. We have learnt unity and a strong bond here so moving from here is now difficult," he asserted when asked about long-standing protests against farm laws.

When asked about threat of COVID-19 amid protests, he said, "let Government open up vaccination centres here. Government has vaccines, but are blaming farmers for everything. Let m vaccinate everyone, we will also take vaccines."

"Open up a centre here, villagers, farmers, policemen, let everyone take vaccines toger. y don't have it hence y are lying," said Tikait while targeting Central Government.

protesting farmers refused to call off protests despite Delhi government announcing lockdown in wake of alarming surge in COVID-19 infections in national capital. Two farmers from Punjab, who were part of group protesting against new farm laws, passed away with one of m found COVID positive, officials said on Wednesday.

Farmers' protest continues amid threat of COVID-19

Thousands of farmers have been protesting for six months demanding a rollback of three farm laws, despite Centre staying implementation of farm laws for 18 months and giving repeated assurance on continuance of MSP mechanism. Centre has also accommodated several or demands of farmers however, farmers have been reluctant with ir demand of repeal of three new farm laws. Rakesh Tikait has given provocative statements on multiple occasions such as urging farmers to burn ir produce or even gherao parliament. He h called for a tractor rally on Republic Day despite several requests to refrain from holding one, which ultimately led to Republic Day violence, injuring over 500 police personnel.