New Delhi: BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Monday said a murder case under IPC section 302 should be lodged against those involved in the death of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri, emphasising that protesting farmers should be dealt with restraint and patience.
In a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Gandhi also demanded a CBI inquiry in the case in a time-bound manner and Rs 1 crore compensation to the family members of deceased farmers.
Eight people were killed on Sunday as violence erupted during a farmers’ protest in Lakhimpur Kheri, claiming the lives of both farmers and BJP workers.
Two SUVs were set on fire by angry farmers in the clash near Banbirpur in Lakhimpur Kheri, the bloodiest incident of violence since the protest over the farm laws enacted at the Centre began last year.
Describing the incident as “heart-wrenching”, Gandhi said it has caused anguish and anger among the people of the country.
Underlining that the “agitating farmer brothers are our own citizens”, the three-time BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh said they are suffering due to some issues and protesting under their democratic rights.
“We should deal with them with great restraint and patience. In any case, we should treat our farmers with sensitivity and only in Gandhian and democratic way within the ambit of law,” he said.
Gandhi requested Adityanath to immediately identify all the suspects involved in this incident and “take the strictest action by setting up a murder case under section 302 of the IPC”.
He further said it would be more appropriate to get the CBI investigate this incident in a time-bound manner under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
“Apart from this, a compensation of Rs 1 crore should also be given to the families of the victims,” Gandhi said.
Varun Gandhi has been writing to Adityanath on farmers issues’ and seeking various relief measures for them.
Also read: FIR registered against MoS Ajay Mishra’s son, others in connection with Lakhimpur violence
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said farmers will win this fight for justice.
On Priyanka Gandhi Vadra being allegedly stopped from meeting victims of the violence in Uttar Pradesh, the former Congress chief said those in power fear her courage.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and other party leaders were detained in Sitapur on Monday, with the party alleging they were not allowed to meet the victims of the violence.
“Priyanka, I know that you will not retreat. They fear your courage. We will ensure that the country’s ‘annadatas’ win this non-violent fight for justice,” he said in a tweet in Hindi, using the hashtag “NoFear”, he said.
Priyanka Gandhi also alleged that the BJP is doing the politics of crushing the farmers in the country.
“The BJP government is doing the politics of crushing the farmers and finishing them,” she said on Twitter.
She also put out a video message alleging that this country belongs to the farmers and not to the BJP. She said she was going to Lakhimpur to share the pain of the farmers injured in the violent clashes and it was no crime or wrongdoing.
Also read: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra detained on way to Lakhimpur Kheri to meet victims’ families