Chandigarh: The grandson of Sir Chhotu Ram, an iconic farmers’ leader in India and Pakistan, 75-year-old Chaudhary Birender Singh is a five-time MLA and three-time MP and was Union minister in first five years of the Modi government.Singh has been been politically active in Haryana for more than 50 years. Ever since the farmers’ protests began from Punjab and Haryana, he has been a staunch supporter of the movement.On October 7, BJP announced its new national executive committee, dropping Singh from it. Varun Gandhi, who had been critical of the new farm laws and the Lakhimpur Kheri incident was also dropped.Singh speaks to The Wire on Lakhimpur Kheri, the farmers’ protests, BJP’s stand and the cumulative impact of all this on society.How do you see the Lakhimpur Kheri incident that killed eight people including four farmers?This incident was certainly not an accident. Hundreds of people were on the road. The people involved in the incident were driving as if there was no one on the road. It appeared that those responsible and behind it were under the impression that they were authority unto themselves.They did anything they wanted to, and thought nothing will happen, when hundreds of people were walking. How it can be possible that no one saw them?Also read: In Lakhimpur Kheri, BJP Proves India Has No Rule of Law TodayWhat should the BJP government do?The inquiry into this case must be concluded as early as possible. If justice in such cases is delayed, there is a danger that people’s anger will spread like wildfire and the whole society will then suffer.You recently also said that if the farm protest continues for long, the consequences will be severe…See, the economic losses with the farm protest still can be mitigated in due course. For me, that is a small issue. My major worry is that if the farmers’ protest is prolonged, the entire fabric of the society will be disturbed. That is why I say that the earlier it (the protest) is over, it is better for the nation, the ruling government as well as the farming community. An early solution is the best solution.Why does the BJP government fail to break the deadlock?I request the government to resume dialogue. I don’t think farmers are adamant as far as legalising Minimum Support Price is concerned, which now appears a major contention point between the government and farm leaders.We all understand that if the Union government procures all crops on MSP, then half of its annual budget will go into it. How will any government run the country in such a situation?The best solution is that the government makes MSP an yardstick, whether for the government or for private purchase of farmers’ produce. As far as farm laws are concerned, they can be repealed.Will the Lakhimpur incident impact BJP politically in UP and Punjab elections?We must keep politics aside for some time. This farmers’ protest is not an ordinary event.We all agree that it has had a nationwide impact for everyone, be it country, the government or the people. As far as economic loss is concerned, it is not a big setback for the country. We can still recover from it like we have seen the economy reviving after COVID-19. My only fear is that incidents like Lakhimpur may give rise to disruption in the society. If that happens, we will not be able to recover from it for a long time.Congress State President Madan Mohan Jha with supporters burn an effigy during a protest over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, in Patna, Tuesday Oct. 5, 2021. Photo: PTIBut the BJP government claims the farmers’ protest is motivated, fuelled and funded by the opposition?This narrative politically suits the ruling government.But even if there is some level of involvement of the opposition, they will do it because they know that farmers are such a big constituency. They are more than 50% of the total votes. Therefore involvement of opposition is but natural.It should not be assumed that they will not do anything.But BJP must also think of how they will participate in it. It cannot be that the ruling government will think from its point of view and take a position. If the Congress is giving ammunition to the protest, they will do it because it suits them.What do you think made this farmers’ protest as big as it is today?This movement has become so big because people’s sentiments are attached to it. Before last month’s Bharat Bandh call on September 27, there were three similar calls by farmers unions ever since their protest originated from Punjab and Haryana. But these calls were not very effective. But for the first time, all sections of the society supported the September 27 Bharat Bandh call by farmers.It had support of 12-13 political parties, social organisations, traders, transporter associations, and even some of the religious organisations like Arya Samaj. All this indicates that this is no longer the movement of the farmers. It has now grown into an altogether different and larger movement – a trend that has been seen for the first time.Is this a sign of worry for ruling BJP if, as you say, the farmers’ protest has grown into a larger movement? Sometimes people who are in power are unable to foresee these things. But it has a cumulative effect seen during elections. The ruling party should not make mistakes by taking the ordinary vote lightly. A voter today is very calculative and casts vote accordingly.How do you see the recent ‘pick up sticks’ call against farmers by Haryana’s BJP CM Manohar Lal Khattar?A man should have political acumen, only position won’t help. One should have a common knowledge. That is very important.Also read: Form Groups, Show Protestors ‘Jaise Ko Taisa’, Haryana CM Tells BJP Kisan MorchaYou think Khattar’s political acumen is somewhat missing?It is a matter of experience. We were also not experienced in the beginning. I contested the MLA election first at the age of 25. The kind of answers we used to give you (reporters) then, we no longer give now…Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Photo: PTIWhat is your advice to BJP?There are many voices emerging within the party as well as in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (the ideological wing of the party). For instance, the Kisan Sangathan have a very clear view that this farmers’ protest has led to lots of losses and the government must engage in dialogue.But these voices are not coming out in the open because BJP is a cadre-based party. Here workers are disciplined and they often take party positions in the public domain. But there is now major concern at the party level regarding the farmers’ protest. Bodies like Kisan Morcha and Kisan Sangh are becoming vocal.You along with others like Varun Gandhi were just dropped from BJP’s national executive committee. Isn’t this a move to sideline leaders who are breaking away from the party line on farm issues? This issue is not important. These are routine changes. Otherwise too, a committee that has 400 members does not hold much impact either. I don’t think there is any relation with my stand on the farm issue and recent changes in national executive committee.
