Rakesh Tikait refuses to talk to SC-panel on farm laws, says 'We never went to court'

After Supreme Court appointed panel appealed to farmers' unions to come for deliberations on January 21, Bharatiya Kisan Union Leer Rakesh Tikait on Tuesday refused invitation, stating that unions will continue to hold deliberations only with government and with or body. Tikait stated that laws were brought by Central government in parliament hence talks will continue with m while ding that neir he r any of union leers went to Supreme Court for seeking any assistance. A day earlier he h expressed farmers' preparedness to sit in protest till May 2024.

"We are t going anywhere. We are here only. Government is of opinion that resolution will come only through talks. Even farmers are of opinion that y will talk only with government. Both of m kw that resolution will come only through talks, but body kws when will resolution come. government must understand that only y have to communicate with farmers, only n will solution come," Rakesh Tikait said.

"We never went to court. Whatever this movement agitation is going on, ne of us has gone to court. government brought se bills, y were passed in houses, that is how se bills will be dissolved as well. way y were introduced, same way y will go. We farmers and government will sit to get a solution. department should provoke farmers out of any sort of misconception. We kw how to handle m, be it any department," he ded.

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SC-Panel meets for first time

Earlier in day, Supreme Court-appointed panel held its first meeting in order to get officially introduced to one ar and chalk out strategy for dispute resolution.  3-member appointed panel consists of Agriculture Ecomist Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi from International Food Policy Institute, and Shetkari Sangathana president Anil Ghanwat after Bhartiya Kisan Union President Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself from committee last week. Formed with an aim to end delock on farm laws, panel has appealed to farmers to come for deliberations on January 21.  representatives of all farmer unions, irrespective of wher y are holding a protest or t, have been asked to participate in deliberations of committee and put forth ir viewpoints.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has appealed to agitating Unions t to go ahe with ir tractor rally on Republic Day in Delhi. He has expressed hope that unions will discuss alternatives or than repeal of farm laws in tenth round of talks scheduled on January 20.  agitating Unions have submitted an affidavit in Supreme Court making it clear that y will cooperate with ministration on Republic Day. farmers have however refused to call off tractor rally.

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