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"Naxal Backer In photos of Farmers": Nitin Gadkari Questions Protest

New Delhi
December 15, 2020

With no end to the deadlock between protesting farmers and the government even after multiple rounds of talks, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the photograph of "a person who supports the Naxalite movement" was seen during the farmers' agitation against the three new farm laws.

"I'm not speaking of all farmers and farmer organisations, but I want to ask you something. In our Gadchiroli district, near Nagpur, in Vidarbha, a person who supports the Naxalite movement was investigated. The court also did not grant him bail. How did his photo appear in this movement? What is his link to farming and farmers?" Mr Gadkari told NDTV when asked about his stand that an attempt is being to mislead the farmers over the laws.

Mr Gadkari, who is the Union Transport Minister, said there are "some elements that are using this farmers' movement to defame them and take the agenda to another angle".

"Someone who gave anti-national speeches, someone who has no direct or indirect links with farmers, how did his photo appear? So I said there are some elements that are using this farmers' movement to defame them and take the agenda to another angle. This is not the agenda of farmers and farmer organisations. Farmers should stay away from that. That's all," he said.

The minister made the remarks when asked if the government could've held talks with farmers before the farms bills were passed, rather having having dialogue now after they became laws.