Farmer leader Naresh Tikait had called India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack a wrong step, which caused a lot of uproar. Seeing the growing controversy, Tikait has taken a U-turn. He has expressed regret over his statement. He said that the whole country is united after the Pahalgam attack.
After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, the Center suspended the Indus Water Treaty as a retaliatory action against Pakistan. Under this treaty, 20 percent of the water from the Indus River was given to India and the remaining 80 percent to Pakistan.
'My statement was presented in a distorted manner'
Tikait told media in Muzaffarnagar that farmers know the value of water. My statement was presented in a distorted manner. I express regret and I should not have made such a statement. The whole country is united. He also said that there must have been some lapse on the part of the government, which resulted in this tragedy. Earlier on Monday, while talking to media, Tikait had said that it was a wrong decision of the government to suspend the water agreement. The treaty should have continued. We are against it. We are farmers and every farmer needs water.
BJP leaders accused Tikait of speaking the language of Pakistan
BJP leaders lodged strong objection to this comment of Tikait. Other leaders including BJP Kisan Morcha President Rajkumar Chahar accused the farmer leader of “speaking the language of Pakistan”. Chahar said that PM Modi has taken many steps including stopping the water going to Pakistan. But BKU President Naresh Tikait has said that the steps taken by the Government of India are wrong. He has said that the river water going to Pakistan should not be stopped, as it will affect the farmers.
Accusing Tikait of compromising national interests, Chahar said, "Naresh Tikait has started speaking the language of Pakistan. He should be ashamed. I condemn his statement. He should apologize to the country.
We are with the govt and our armed forces: Rakesh Tikait
After facing sharp criticism from BJP leaders, the farmer leader's brother Rakesh Tikait came forward in his defense and said that he is "with the government." Rakesh Tikait clarified, "Many people from the press were questioning him (Naresh) about this issue (Indus Water Treaty). He has no such intention. We are with the government and our armed forces on this issue. Strict decisions should be taken and we will stand with them."