Varun Gandhi, BJP MP from Pilbhit, Uttar Pradesh, described farmers
protesting against the three agriculture laws as “our own flesh and blood” and
suggested that the central government re-engage with them to work towards
reaching common ground. The BJP MP, breaking from what the ruling party’s
political stance, wrote on Twitter: “Lakhs of farmers have gathered in protest
today in Muzaffarnagar. They are our own flesh and blood. We need to start
re-engaging with them in a respectful manner: understand their pain, their
point of view and work with them in reaching common ground.”

The BJP MP’s tweet came on a day when farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab,
Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and some other states had gathered in large
numbers for a “Mahapanchayat” at Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh. The
Mahapanchayat was organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a farmers’ body.

Also Read | Farmer unions hold massive rally in Muzaffarnagar ahead of UP elections

Varun Gandhi’s tweet set off a political maelstrom as it showed signs of
disagreement within the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, which is heading for polls next
year. Varun Gandhi’s mother Maneka Gandhi re-tweeted his son’s statement on the
agitations. Soon after Varun Gandhi’s tweet, Vijendra Singh, BJP MLA from Khurja,
Uttar Pradesh tweeted that “Gandhi should differentiate between farmers and
anti- national elements.”

Also Read | Watch: Police lathi charge farm protesters in Karnal, 10 injured

Gandhi’s tweet drew support from RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary. Praising
Varun Gandhi, Jayant Chaudhary said, “Appreciate what Varun bhai is saying but
look at what BJP MLA from Khurja, Uttar Pradesh, is commenting.”

Farmers from several states have gathered in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar in
continuing protests against the three farm laws which a section of farmer
groups allege will give corporates undue influence over agricultural
operations. An 8,000-strong security contingent has been placed in the area for
the purpose of maintaining law and order. Rakesh Tikait, spokesperson for the Bharatiya
Kisan Union (BKU), one of the farmers’ bodies leading the protests said, such
meetings will be held across the country to “stop the country from getting sold”.