Farmers for 'respectful solution', say they won't succumb to pressure

PTI, NEW DELHI. 31 JANUARY 2021: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government was just a "ph one call away" for talks with the farmers agitating against the farm laws, union leaders on Sunday said a "respectful solution" should be found but they will not agree to anything "under pressure".

Farmer leaders Rakesh and Naresh Tikait demanded that the government release arrested protesters to create a conducive environment for talks.

As hundreds of farmers continued to converge at Ghazipur on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, the ripples spread deeper in western UP where a mahapanchyat was held in Baghpat in support of the stir, the third in as many days in the key region.

Delhi's Singhu border also saw more farmers from Punjab and Haryana joining the protest, with thousands reaching the site on Saturday evening.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met RakeshTikait, joining several other leaders from the opposition parties who have visited the protest site to extend their support.

The farmers will honour the dignity of the prime minister, but are also committed to protecting their self-respect, the Tikait brothers who are leading the agitation asserted, even as they warned that the farm laws issue could cost the BJP dear electorally. They said they were open to talks with the government to find a "middle path".

Prime Minister Modi had on Saturday said his government's offer on agri laws made to protesting farmers "still stands" and the Centre was just a"phone call away" for talks, days after violence broke out in parts of the national capital on Republic Day.

During their January 26 parade, scores of protesters had stormed the Red Fort, with some of them hoisting religious flags on its ramparts.

Delhi Police registered nearly 40 cases and made over 80 arrests in connection with the violence and vandalism. The government should release our men and prepare an environment conducive for talks. A respectful solution should be reached. We will never agree to anything under pressure, Rakesh Tikait said.