Ink was thrown at Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait during a press conference in Bengaluru on Monday, ANI reported.

The incident occurred when Tikait was talking about allegations against Karnataka farmer leader Kodihalli Chandrashekar of having negotiated bribes in order to stop a farmers’ protest against the now-repealed agriculture laws, The Indian Express reported.

Three persons have been detained in connection with the attack, the police said, reported ANI.

Tikait claimed that no security was provided to him by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state. “This [ink attack] has been done in collusion with the government,” he alleged.

The farm leader alleged that some persons hit the speakers at the press conference with microphones, according to the news agency. He termed the attack as a failure on the part of the Karnataka government and the police.

“It was a conspiracy and needs to be investigated,” he said.