Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

Khap Satraps back Kisan Morcha’s proposed Mahapancha­yat on Sept 5

- S Raju

MEERUT The proposed Mahapancha­yat of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Muzaffarna­gar on September 5 has received support of many Thambedar of Gathwala Malik Khap who have assured Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Narresh Tikait that members of this Khap will attend and support the Mahapancha­yat.

Meanwhile, general secretary of Sarv Khap Panchayat Subhash Baliyan is also extending support to the Mahapancha­yat. “BKU chief Naresh Tikait and other leaders are convening panchayats in the area to seek support of people and khaps. I hope they will seek support of all khaps in a meeting of Sarv Khap panchayat expected to be convened ahead of the Mahapancha­yat”, said Baliyan.

BKU chief Naresh Tikait, his son and president of BKU’S youth wing Gaurav Tikait and other leaders are holding meetings and panchayats in villages to mobilise people to attend the Mahapancha­yat in a big number to make it a historic event. “Farmers from across the country, including UP, Haryana and Rajasthan, will come to join the Mahapancha­yat and it would be a historic event,” said Gaurav who has visited many villages to interact with people ahead of the Mahapancha­yat.

Meanwhile, BKU chief Naresh Tikait addressed a panchayat in Sarnawali village of

Gathwala Khap in Muzaffarna­gar on Monday where he described the forthcomin­g Mahapancha­yat as a ‘Dharmyudh’ (crusade) of the farmers. “Those who will skip it will get a bad name in history,” said Tikait and added, “Farmers from the entire country would participat­e in the Mahapancha­yat and it would rewrite the history of farmers’ movements.”

Five thambedars (regional chiefs of khap) of Gathwala Malik Khap also attended the panchayat. Appreciati­ng Gathwala Khap, Tikait said that this Khap always stood with farmers. “They are brave. Land is mother and identity of farmers and they will lose their identity if deprived of their land,” he said.

Thambedar of Fugana village Veerpal Malik, Ravinder Singh of Laank village and Baba Shyam Singh of Bahawri village said that their identity was from their clan members and assured of extending their full support to the Mahapancha­yat. “We are always with those supporting farmers and their issues,” said the Thambedars who also held a meeting in Kharad village on Sunday to discuss how to support the Mahapancha­yat.

Similar panchayats of Gathwala Khap will be convened in Kurawa village on August 27 and Kudana village (both in Muzaffarna­gar district) on August 30 to discuss and ensure ways to support the Mahapancha­yat.

 ?? ANI ?? A vendor roasting corn sticks (Bhutta) at Assi ghat, in Varanasi on Tuesday.
ANI A vendor roasting corn sticks (Bhutta) at Assi ghat, in Varanasi on Tuesday.
 ?? HT ?? Khap Thambedars’ panchayat in village Kharad
HT Khap Thambedars’ panchayat in village Kharad

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