The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a conglomerate of 46 farmers' unions has suspended activist Yogendra Yadav for a month after he visited the family of a BJP worker who was killed in the violence at Lakhimpur Kheri earlier this month.
Mr. Yadav is a member of the umbrella body and he will not be able to participate in any of its meetings or be part of the decision-making process.
According to sources, the action was taken at a meeting today after demands of action by farmers' organizations in Punjab. Manjit Singh Rai, the President of Bhartiya Kisan Union, Doaba, told NDTV that 32 farmers' unions are on the same page on the issue and they also want a public apology from Mr. Yadav.
Mr. Yadav had gone to visit the BJP worker's family last week as "he felt he should", said sources.
"He said (at the meeting) that he was not sorry that he went to visit the family, but is ready to apologize for not discussing the issue with the farmers' body beforehand," the sources added.
Earlier, four farmers were run over in Lakhimpur Kheri, allegedly by Ashish Mishra, the son of Union minister Ajay Mishra during a protest earlier this month.
Four others were killed amidst the violence out of which three were reportedly BJP workers and 1 journalist.
Accused Ashish Mishra was arrested on October 9, five days after he was named in a murder case.