Samyukt Kisan Morcha Urges Yogi Adityanath to Apologise for 'Anarchy' Comments on Farmers' Protests

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has demanded an apology from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This follows his alleged remarks labelling the farmers' protest as anarchy. The SKM has urged both the judiciary and political parties to step in regarding this issue.

The SKM emphasised that the right to protest is a constitutional right for all Indian citizens. They highlighted that the Indian Constitution was established through significant struggles for independence in 1857 and 1947 against British colonialism and feudalism. The farmers' protests, they argue, should not be dismissed as anarchy by someone in a constitutional position like the Chief Minister.

Farmers' Protests and Allegations

The SKM criticised the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly trespassing into farmers' homes and detaining leaders under the guise of house arrest. They pointed out that such actions have no basis in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). These actions, according to SKM, are attempts to suppress legitimate democratic protests.

SKM leader Tajinder Singh Virk, who was injured during the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, was reportedly detained for over three hours at Katghar police station. Similarly, Rakesh Tikait was detained by Aligarh Police to prevent his participation in the Kisan Mahapanchayat on December 4 at the Yamuna Expressway.

Call for Judicial and Political Intervention

The SKM stated that farmers are neither criminals nor extremists. They view these detentions as unlawful measures aimed at stifling their democratic rights. The organisation has called upon the judiciary and political parties to address these violations of fundamental rights.

In response to these actions, more than a hundred farmers, including women, have willingly courted arrest. They have resolved to continue this form of protest in the coming days. The SKM remains committed to fighting against what they see as unjust treatment.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed officials not to spare those spreading anarchy. He also directed them to recover costs for any damage to public property from those responsible.