From the official page of Bhartiya Kisan Union, a press statement has been released that the national president of BKU, Bhupinder Singh Mann has recused to be a part of the four-member committee appointed by the Supreme Court on the farm laws.
“Bhupinder Singh Mann Ex-MP and national president of BKU and chairman of All India Kisan Coordination Committee has recused himself from the four-member committee constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” tweeted Bhartiya Kisan Union.
An image of an unsigned press statement purportedly issued by Mann was also attached to the tweet.
The press statement states
“I am thankful to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for nominating me in the four-member committee to start dialogue with kisan unions on the three laws brought in by the central government. As a farmer myself and a union leader, in view of the prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst the farm unions and the public in general, I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me so as to not compromise the interests of Punjab and farmers of the country. I am recusing myself from the committee and I will always stand with my farmers and Punjab.”
On Tuesday, the apex court has stayed the implementation of the three contentious farm bills and constituted a four-member committee to decide on the issue. The four members of the panel include Anil Ghanwat, President of Shetkari Sangthana, Maharashtra; Pramod Kumar Joshi, director for South Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute, agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, and Bhupinder Mann.
The farmers have refused to appear before the panel and claimed that the members of the committee are pro-government.
