BJP seeks to divide striking farmers into pro and anti-RSS groups

Farmers’ strike in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have pitted farmers against farmers. And BJP governments in both the states are being accused of dividing farmers between those owing allegiance to the RSS and other groups.

Quipped a bitter farmer supporting the strike, “First they divided society on the basis of religion—then caste—now they have pitted farmers against farmers and traders against farmers…”

Chief ministers of both Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are accused of inviting the pro-RSS Bharatiya Kisan Sangh for talks and then unilaterally announcing some sops while the pro-RSS group of farmers announce simultaneously that they are withdrawing the strike in view of the assurances.

The agitation at Mandsaur was spearheaded by a former RSS activist Shiv Kumar ‘Kakka’ under the banner of ‘Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh’. He apparently fell out with the RSS over the anti-farmer policy of Shivraj Singh Chauhan Government. The agitation was backed by other farmer’s organisations like Bharatiya Kisan Union and Aam Kisan Union.

Even the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh initially supported the agitation but the BKS leader Shivkant Dixit suspended the agitation after holding a discussion with the MP chief minister. The CM announced that farmers would be paid half in cash and half by Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and that the Government would purchase onions from farmers at ₹8 a kilo.

The Kakka faction accused BKS of betraying the farmers and refused to suspend the strike. Police has now registered several cases against Kakka, who was absconding on Wednesday. “If you are with Sangh affiliated outfit, you will get concessions. But if you back others, you will get bullets,” Kakka is quoted as saying to the media.

He accused the RSS and BJP of creating a rift between farmers and the business community in Mandsaur as well. Following shortage of fruits, vegetables, milk and grains sparked by the strike, a section of the traders accused farmers of damaging their business. Minor scuffles took place at several places but while the police allowed the traders a free hand, they went after the farmers and booked them for breaching peace. The police action further angered the protesters.