After row over Indus Waters Treaty remarks, farmer leader clarifies

He is believed to have said that the decision would hurt Pakistan's farmers the most as every farmer wants water

Farmer leader Naresh Tikait came out with a clarification on Monday after controversy erupted following his remarks questioning India’s decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) “in abeyance” in response to the Pahalgam terrorist strike. Tikait, who is the national president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), had been quoted by some news agencies as saying that any decision to stop water to Pakistan was “wrong” and the treaty should have continued.

 

Tikait is believed to have said that the decision would hurt Pakistan’s farmers the most because every farmer wants water. In response, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “Some people, while opposing the government, have started opposing the country. Those who have shed the blood of innocents and are responsible for it, should not be given water.”

 

Other farmer groups also opposed Tikait’s statement. Bharatiya Kisan Union (non-political), an offshoot of BKU, said that the group stands firmly with the Centre in its fight against terrorism and the decision to keep the IWT “in abeyance” will help Indian farmers. It also called for strict action against all those farmer leaders who have come out in open support of Pakistan at this time.

 

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh said that the statements being made by BKU leaders will give strength to “anti-national” forces and it should be thoroughly investigated as to under whose instructions such statements were being made.

 

Later in the day, Naresh Tikait, in a post on X, clarified his position. He said that he and the BKU are fully against any act of terrorism and the organisation has always stood firmly against any attempt to weaken India. He added that the Centre should use all its power to take strict action against the perpetrators of the crime so that it becomes a lesson for all.

 

Rakesh Tikait too joined his brother in condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack and said that the incident has hurt the sentiments of every Indian and that everyone is hoping that the Centre takes the strictest possible action against the terrorists so that no one ever dares to cast an evil eye towards India.