While the likes of Yogendra Yadav and Rakesh Tikait must have been enjoying the disaster that unfolded on the occasion of Republic Day, perhaps belatedly, the realisation dawned upon them that as the masters of the circus that unfolded yesterday, there’s every chance that they will face strict action and a long jail term which has forced them to resort to petty excuses in a desperate bid to save themselves.
The flag bearer of the ‘Farmers’ protests, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) was quick to distance itself from the Republic Day violence and the subsequent desecration of the Red Fort.
“Uneducated people were driving tractors, they didn’t know the paths of Delhi. Administration told them the way towards Delhi. They went to Delhi & returned home. Some of them unknowingly deflected towards Red Fort. Police guided them to return,” said Rakesh Tikait.
Read More: ‘Come with your trucks or face consequences’, Bharatiya Kisan Union’s warning to Bhullerheri village in Punjab
He added, “Those who created violence and unfurled flags at Red Fort will have to pay for their deeds. For the last two months, a conspiracy is going on against a particular community. This is not a movement of Sikhs, but farmers. Our issues remain the same and our protest will continue.”
In a well-planned post-violence strategy, Tikait attempted to shift goalposts and pin the blame on Punjabi actor and Khalistani sympathiser Deep Sidhu.
“Deep Sidhu is not a Sikh, he is a worker of the BJP. There is a picture of him with the Prime Minister. This is a movement of farmers and will remain so. Some people will have to leave this place immediately – those who broke barricading will never be a part of the movement,” said Tikait.
Read More: Cracking down further on Khalistani agitation, NIA tightens the screw on Khalsa Aid and actor Deep Sidhu
Contrary to Tikait’s claim, his brother-in-arms, Yogendra Yadav had earlier vowed that the tractor rally won’t stop at “barricades” and will enter Delhi.
Ab hum ghoshna karte hai ki tumhari Laal karenge. 🔥🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Mahik1Cm9b
— Sameet Thakkar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@thakkar_sameet) January 27, 2021
Tikait who was earlier seen asking his supporters to be armed with lathis to save their lands, cleverly shifted the goalposts yet again, as he said, “We said bring your own sticks. Please show me a flag without a stick, I will accept my mistake.”
It is being reported that both Tikait and Yadav have been booked for the violence that ensued on Republic Day. ANI reports, “over 300 Delhi Police personnel were injured during the farmers’ tractor violence at different locations in the national capital.”