Rally call: Case against Rakesh Tikait in Shivamogga, Haveri

SHIVAMOGGA /HAVERI: Police in Shivamogga and Haveri have registered cases against Samyukta Kisan Morcha president Rakesh Tikait for allegedly making provocative speeches in the districts, asking farmers to launch a tractor rally to Bengaluru.
Addressing a mahapanchayat in the CM's hometown last week, Tikait had asked farmers in Karnataka to model their protest on the Delhi agitation.Shivamogga police filed a suo motu case, booking Tikait under section 153 of IPC, related to wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot.
Police said his speech on March 20 could have provoked violence as he asked farmers to gherao the Vidhana Soudha with tractors.
In Haveri, an FIR was registered against Tikait for his speech at a mahapanchayat on March 21.
Farmer leaders protested the move, with Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader HR Basavarajappa saying there was no provocative speech at all.
"He requested the people to participate in a rally in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, the government pressurised police to book the case in Haveri and Shivamogga. If the government tries to suppress our protest, we will be stronger. We have announced a statewide protest on March 26. We will burn copies of the three agri laws along with the complaint copies against Tikait," Basavarajappa said.