Jind Mahapanchayat Sees Massive Support For Farmer Protests, Rakesh Tikait's Warning To Government

A huge crowd gathered on February 3 at Jind in Haryana for a farmers' "mahapanchayat" or meeting to push for the repeal of three new laws at the heart of farmer protests outside Delhi since November. While several such gatherings have been seen in the past few days in Uttar Pradesh, February 3 meeting took it to Haryana's Jat heartland. Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait addressed the gathering at Jind, considered the epicentre of Jat politics in Haryana. Tikait and several others were on the stage when it suddenly collapsed under their weight, briefly interrupting the meeting. There were no reports of any injuries. He warned the government that it would find it difficult to stay in power if the new laws are not repealed. "We have so far talked about 'bill wapsi' (repealing the farm laws). The government should listen carefully. What will you do if the youth call for 'gaddi wapsi' (removal from power)?" he questioned. Five resolutions were passed at the "mahapanchayat”.