Chhavi Bhatia

Chandigarh: Rocked by the alleged rape of an activist who had reached Tikri to participate in the farmers’ protest, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Monday asserted it would extend complete support to police investigation. In a press conference held in the evening that lasted for two hours, farmer leaders also emphasised that they have been extra cautious to provide a safe space to women activists.

A 26-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by members who claimed to be one of the support groups of farmers, Kisan Army on way to Tikri. She later succumbed to covid on April 26th. A FIR was registered on Sunday on the complaint of the victim’s father.

Senior leaders including Dr Darshan Pal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Yogendra Yadav took questions from the media through the official page of Kisan Ekta Morcha. The victim’s father, Utpal Basu was also part of the delegation that addressed the media. Denying that the SKM was aware of the incident and deliberately tried to brush it under the carpet, Dr Darshan Pal said as soon as the union received the information, they sprang into action. “Women’s safety is paramount for us. We did not scuttle away from the responsibility. Mr Basu filed the complaint and we have been supporting him in every way that we can.” “We want our martyred activist to get justice. We will do everything in our capacity to ensure it happens,” the farmer leader further said. Joginder Singh who spearheads one of the largest jathebandi of farmers, Bharatiya Kisan Union(Ugrahan) reiterated that given the large number of women and girls sitting at the borders with farmers, they keep strict vigil at Tikri border. “Whatever has happened is very unfortunate. But I would like to assure and put on record once again that our security team works round the clock. We hold a thikri pehra (night vigil) to ensure that everyone is safe, specially women. There is no threat to their safety at our protest,” he said.

Yadav, on the other hand, shared that the SKM is committed to forming an Internal Complaints Committee(ICC) to address such cases. “The protest is like a family to all those who are participating. They must feel secure and have the confidence that their grievances will be addressed. Plans are afoot to form an ICC,” he said. Denying that some leaders were involved in the alleged rape, he said, “No one from either the SKM or the unions associated with the umbrella body is involved in this case. These are only rumours. If someone has the names, I’d urge you to share them instead of accusing baselessly.”

Basu, meanwhile, maintained that he has not been coerced by the SKM to make statements in favour of the farmers’ body. He was answering a question on why he filed the complaint more than a week after his daughter passed away. “It took me some time to gather my emotions after all that happened to my daughter. I was mentally shattered. When I reached here, I didn’t know anyone. I needed some confidence to go ahead with legal action. SKM extended all help to me,” he stated adding that he has no intention to defame the protest. “I do not wish the Morcha to get maligned.”