The talks between the government and the representatives of farmer unions remained inconclusive on Saturday. (Express Photo: Prem Nath Pandey)Farmers’ Protest Today Live Updates: Prominent opposition leaders including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, DMK chief M K Stalin and PAGD chairman Farooq Abdullah issued a joint statement on Sunday supporting the call for Bharat Bandh on December 8 by farmer groups, and pressed the Centre to meet the legitimate demands of the protesters.
The Congress, TRS, DMK and the AAP on Sunday joined other opposition parties in extending support to the ‘Bharat Bandh’ on December 8 called by farmer unions which have been protesting on Delhi’s borders for 11 days demanding repeal of the Centre’s new agri-marketing laws. The Trinamool Congress, RJD and the Left parties, besides a joint platform of ten central trade unions, had on Saturday backed the countrywide strike. Meanwhile, Actor Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam stated that it will take part in the ongoing farmers’ protest that entered 11th day on Sunday.
NCP chief and former union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar warned the Centre that if the deadlock continues, the agitation will not be limited to Delhi and people from across the country will stand by the protesting farmers. The NCP chief is also scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind on December 9 over the ongoing farmers’ protest against agrarian laws, the party said on Sunday.
The talks between the government and the representatives of farmer unions remained inconclusive on Saturday after the latter spurned the agriculture minister’s offer to amend the farm laws and stuck to the maximalist position demanding a repeal of all three ordinances. To resolve the stand-off, an option to convene a special Parliament session is being considered, a senior government source told The Indian Express. “It is not ruled out, but no decision has been taken,” the source said to a question if a special session was being considered. Both the sides have now agreed to meet again on December 9.
Commuters may face problems as some auto and taxi unions in the city have decided to join 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 called by farmer unions protesting against the recent farm laws. However, many other unions have decided to continue normal service despite their support to demand raised by the farmers. Delhi Taxi Tourist Transporters Association President Sanjay Samrat said in a statement that several unions, including Delhi State Taxi Cooperative Society, and Kaumi Ekta Welfare Association will join the strike on December 8. Representaives of various bus and taxi associations on Sunday visited the protesters at Singhu border to extend their support to them, Samrat said.
Kamaljeet Gill, president of Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi, comprising mainly drivers working with cab aggregators, said it will also join the strike on Tuesday. However, Rajender Soni, general secretary of Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh, and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union said that many "important" auto, taxi and last mile vehicle driver unions will not join the strike. PTI
Thousands of people protested in central London on Sunday over Indian agricultural reforms that have triggered mass demonstrations in India. A crowd of demonstrators converged on the Indian embassy, located on Aldwych, a major artery in the centre of the British capital, and groups marched around the Trafalgar Square area, Reuters photographer at the scene said. Read more
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Dushyant Dave has termed the Centre's farm laws "unconstitutional and illegal" and offered his services as a lawyer free of cost to the agitating farmers if they wish to challenge them in court.
"The laws are unconstitutional and illegal," Dave told PTI. "It would be advisable in the larger interest of the farmers and the country that either the government issues a notification stopping the implementation of the Act till the talks take place or the Supreme Court takes up the matter and grants the stay. Then we can save the lives of the farmers and the agony that they are going through," the senior lawyer said. PTI
Two more MLAs from the JJP, an alliance partner of the ruling BJP in Haryana, on Sunday came out in support of the farmers seeking the repeal of the Centre's new agri laws. Jannayak Janta Party MLA Ram Kumar Gautam also demanded that a special assembly session be convened to bring a resolution urging the Centre to scrap the three laws. Separately, JJP legislator Amarjeet Dhanda too came out in support of the farmers, saying he backs their agitation. "We hope the government will agree to their demands. I appeal to the Centre that they should listen to what the farmers are demanding and resolve the issue," Dhanda, an MLA from Julana constituency, said. Earlier, two other JJP MLAs -- Jogi Ram Sihag and Ram Karan Kala -- had announced their support to the farmers and participated in an agitation in Haryana, going against their party's stand on the issue. PTI
Police booked a man in Anand over his posts on Facebook, in support of the ongoing farmers’ agitation in New Delhi, for allegedly attempting to “disrupt national unity”. According to police, the accused Shailesh Parmar, a resident of Vadodara, has been booked on Sunday at Khambat city police station for running a Facebook page “Khambat ki Shaan”, with various “incendiary posts”.
“We received an input that Shailesh Parmar has been running an FB page Khambat ki Shaan and had posted certain incendiary posts...,” said a police officer in Anand.
The accused has been booked under Indian Penal Code sections 153B for imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration, 505 1b for intent to cause alarm in public. (With inputs from Express News Service)
Farmers protesting on both sides of Delhi-Haryana border have asserted that they are self-sufficient in carrying on their agitation against the new farm laws, with some saying their NRI relatives have also extended support to sustain the momentum of the demonstration. Drawn from several parts of Punjab, aggrieved farmers have converged on an unprecedented scale at Delhi's Singhu and Tikri borders, camping on roads and braving the cold at night to press for their demands.
The peasants have come to the protest site stocked up with fruits, vegetables and other household items, and local residents and volunteer groups, besides members of a gurudwara nearby Singhu Border have been offering supplies to replenish the stock.
Many farmers, who have been staying put at the site said their own families and others, who are non-resident Indians, have reached out and showed solidarity with the protesting peasants. "I have a family member living in Canada, and he called me to tell that he is there to support them with funds and other ways, as much as possible. In our village in Tarn Taran, many people have NRI family members, and they too have received support from them,"said Naunihal Singh of Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab. (PTI)
Actress Priyanka Chopra came out in support of protesting farmers. 'Our farmers are India’s Food Soldiers. Their fears need to be allayed. Their hopes need to be met. As a thriving democracy, we must ensure that this crises is resolved sooner than later,' Priyanka wrote on Twitter.
Prominent opposition leaders including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, DMK chief M K Stalin and PAGD chairman Farooq Abdullah issued a joint statement on Sunday supporting the call for Bharat Bandh on December 8 by farmer groups, and pressed the Centre to meet the legitimate demands of the protesters.
The representatives of thousands of agitating farmers, who are sitting on various borders of the national capital since November 26 demanding repeal of the three agri laws, have said that the countrywide strike on Tuesday would be observed with full force. "We the undersigned leaders of political parties extend our solidarity with the ongoing massive struggle by the Indian farmers organised by various kisan organisations from across the country and extend our support to their call for a Bharat Bandh on December 8 demanding the withdrawal of these retrograde Agri-laws and the Electricity Amendment Bill," the statement said.
Among the signatories were RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, CPI general secretary D Raja, general secretary of CPI(ML) Dipankar Bhattacharya, AIFB general secretary Debabrata Biswas and Manoj Bhattacharya, the general secretary of RSP. "These new Agri-Laws passed in the Parliament in a brazen anti-democratic manner preventing a structured discussion and voting, threaten India's food security, destroy Indian agriculture and our farmers, lay the basis for the abolishment of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and mortgage Indian agriculture and our markets to the caprices of multi-national agri-business corporates and domestic corporates," the statement alleged. (PTI)
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday appealed to Punjabis to support the 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 called by farmer unions against the new farm laws. Badal also said his party would work assiduously alongside the peasantry to ensure repeal of the new agri-marketing laws.
Stating that "the fight for justice" had now become a fight of the 'annadaata' (someone who provides food) against the central government, the Shiromani Akali Dal chief said, "I am confident that the mass agitation will force the Centre to 'bow down' before the demands of farmers." In a statement, Badal said it was unfortunate that the central government was "dragging its feet" and "deliberately delaying" in taking a decision on the demands of the farmer organisations.
He said farmers had been protesting against the Centre's three farm laws for the last three months and were now holding a sit-in at the Delhi borders for the past 11 days. (PTI)
A day after protesting farmers at New Delhi's borders called for a nationwide general strike, the demand earned support from various opposition parties, including AAP and Congress.
Delhi's neighbouring state of Haryana, where the farmers' stir has been gathering momentum, has called a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation ahead of the planned Bharat bandh. Farmers, on their part, said it was mutually agreed by the unions that more farmers from different states would be included in the protest.
The farmers said they consider their demands “non-negotiable”, and the next round of talks will be dominated by the agenda of total repeal of the three farm laws through a special session of Parliament.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has extended support to the 'Bharat Bandh’ called by farmers on December 8. "TRS President and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has extended the TRS’ total support to the Bharat Bandh declared on December 8 by the farmers,’’ a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said.
The CM said that the TRS rank and file would participate actively in the proposed bandh. KCR justified the support by stating that the farmers are legally agitating against the Centre’s Farm Bills. KCR recalled and reminded that since the Farm Bills would harm the interests of the farmers, the TRS opposed them in the Parliament. KCR felt that there is a need to continue the agitation till the Farm Bills are withdrawn. He said that the TRS would work to make the Bharat Bandh successful. He also appealed to people to stand by farmers and make the bandh successful. (With inputs from Sreenivas Janyala)
NCP chief Sharad Pawar is scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind on December 9 over the ongoing farmers' protest against agrarian laws, the party said on Sunday. NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the former Union agriculture minister will apprise Kovind of the situation in the country in the backdrop of the protest. The representatives of thousands of agitating farmers, who are sitting on various borders of the national capital since November 26, have said their call for a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 would be observed with full force. (PTI)
"I appeal to all to participate in 'Bharat Bandh' on 8th December. 250 farmers from Gujarat will be coming to Delhi. There is a need to strengthen this farmers' movement," said farmer leader Baldev Singh at Singhu border.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday asked the Centre to take serious cognisance of the ongoing farmers' protest and said if the deadlock continues, the agitation will not be limited to Delhi and people from across the country will stand by the protesting cultivators.
Talking to reporters, Pawar said when the farmers are protesting on streets, it should be taken seriously. 'But, unfortunately, that is not happening,' the former Union agriculture minister said. 'I hope wisdom dawns on the government and it takes cognisance to resolve the issue. If this stalemate continues, the protest will not be limited to Delhi, but people from nook and corner of the country will stand by the protesting farmers,' he said.
Pawar said farmers from Punjab and Haryana contribute the most to the country's agriculture and food supply. 'Farmers from these states not just fill our stomach but are also major contributors to India's supply of food grains, especially rice and wheat, to more than a dozen countries,' he said. (PTI)
The DMK-led opposition bloc in Tamil Nadu on Sunday extended support to the December 8 'Bharat Bandh' called for by farmers agitating against the Centre's farm laws, saying their demand for the repealing of the three legislations was "totally justified." The M K Stalin-led grouping appealed to farmers' unions, traders' bodies, government employees' associations, labour unions and others in the state to extend "grand support" to the bandh and make it a success on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, actor Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) also extended support to the protest by farmers, who have been
agitating for nearly 10 days outside Delhi border against the Centre's contentious laws. (PTI)
The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha on Sunday announced its support to the farmers' call for Bharat bandh on December 8, protesting the new farm laws brought by the Centre. The outfit president Kodihalli Chandrashekhar said they would support the nationwide strike.
Farmers from the state would lay siege to the Vidhana Soudha here on December 9, when the assembly session would be underway. "We will hold bandh, a non-violent movement across the state in district headquarters, Taluk headquarters and villages," Chandrashekhar told reporters. He further said he would seek public support for the agitation. (PTI)
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has extended its support to the Bharat Bandh called by farmers' organisations on December 8 against the new agri laws, Delhi Chief Minister and the party's national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, said on Sunday. Kejriwal said that all AAP workers across the country will support the nationwide strike and appealed to all citizens to support the farmers.
'The Aam Aadmi Party fully supports the Bharat Bandh call made by farmers on December 8. AAP workers across the country will support it peacefully. There is an appeal to all countrymen that everyone should support the farmers and participate in it,' Kejriwal tweeted.
AAP leader and Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said all volunteers and workers will participate in the strike to support the farmers. 'This is not just the farmers fight but the fight for all countrymen. India is an agricultural country and if farmers are unhappy then the country is affected. I appeal to all to join the protest,' Rai said, in a video message.
Members of Bhartiya Kisan Union Lok Shakti began their march Sunday from Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal to Delhi in support of farmers' protest against the Centre's farm laws.
Boxer Vijender Singh visited the farmers' protest site in Delhi on Sunday, and said he would return Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award if the government doesn't withdraw the 'black' farm laws. "If the government doesn't withdraw the black laws, I'll return my Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award - the highest sporting honour of the nation," ANI quoted Vijender Singh as saying.
The Congress on Sunday expressed its "whole-hearted" support to the 'Bharat Bandh' called on December 8 by farmer unions against the new agri-marketing laws and announced that it will hold protests that day at all district and state headquarters in solidarity with the demands of the farmers.
The representatives of thousands of agitating farmers, who are sitting on various borders of the national capital since November 26, have said their call for a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 would be observed with full force.
Addressing the media at the AICC headquarters here, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "I would also like to announce that the Congress party extends its whole-hearted support to the Bharat Bandh on December 8."
Former party chief Rahul Gandhi, through tractor rallies, signature campaigns and Kisaan rallies, has been raising the party's voice in support of the farmers, he said. Read more
Actor Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam will take part in the ongoing farmers protest that entered 11th day on Sunday. In a statement, the party said that a 10-member team will reach Delhi soon to join the farmers who have been camping at various borders of the national capital seeking repeal of three farm laws enacted in September.
Haryana Agriculture Minister Jai Prakash Dalal on Sunday appealed to those “participating” in and "supporting" the farmers’ protest to include the issue of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project in their list of demands.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday morning, Dalal said, “It is true that the movement has started from our neighboring state, most of the participation has also been from there. Nowadays, some people from our state also, some Khaps, former chief ministers…independent MLAs, are supporting the movement…each person’s emotion is attached with the farmer, every person says I am with the farmer. Even I say that I am first a farmer, then a minister, I am also with the farmer.” Read more
Farmers protest at Burari's Nirankari Samagam Ground against recent farm laws enters 11th day.
Over 100 vehicles of Ahrtiyas, industrialists, shopkeepers leave for Delhi to join protests
Urban areas in Punjab extend support to Bharat Bandh on December 8.
Medicines to cure diarrhoea, cold and fever are finding many takers at makeshift medical camps dotting the highway. Face masks, hand gloves and sanitisers, though, remain largely untouched. And three teams deputed to collect nasal swabs do not have much to do either.
A walk through the encampments of farmers at Delhi’s Singhu border quickly makes it apparent that the protesters, young and old, are mindful of the looming harsh winters. But the threat of Covid-19 is far less apparent.
For protesting farmers, the fight against the new agricultural laws, which they say threaten to upend their way of life, clearly outweighs fears of a viral disease. But at the gathering, one of the largest since the pandemic, another view prevails among several protesters — misinformation about the disease and mistrust against the government. “There is no such thing as coronavirus. It is all a hoax whipped by the authorities to curb all forms of resistance,” said Avatar Singh (72) who hails from Mohali district.
The sentiment is echoed even by the young. Said 22-year-old Amandeep Singh from Patiala who reached Singhu on a scooter with his friend: “For the government, coronavirus is a way to make money as the World Health Organisation sanctions Rs 3 lakh for every Covid-positive patient.” Read more
THE CENTRAL government found itself hemmed in on Saturday with farmer unions once again taking a maximalist position demanding a repeal of all three farm laws.
To resolve the stand-off, an option to convene a special Parliament session is being considered, a senior government source told The Indian Express. "It is not ruled out, but no decision has been taken," the source said to a question if a special session was being considered.
On Thursday, Leader of Opposition for Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wrote to Speaker Om Birla requesting a short winter session of Parliament to address “very important issues” including the “ongoing farmers agitation”. But sources in the Speaker's office said the government had not yet discussed such a possibility.
On Saturday, talks between the government and representatives of farmer unions remained inconclusive. Both sides, however, agreed to meet again on December 9. Read more
Farmers union outside Vigyan Bhawan after meeting the Centre over farm laws. After more than four hours of discussions with three union ministers and senior officials, farmer leaders said the government sought more time for internal consultations to present a final proposal in the next meeting to resolve the issue. Express Photo By Amit Mehra
Even as talks between Centre and farmers' groups ended in a deadlock for the fifth time, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, " I want to assure farmers that Modi govt was fully committed to you, & will remain so in future. Under PM Modi's leadership, several agricultural schemes have been implemented. Budget & MSP has also increased."
"We wanted some firm suggestions from farmer leaders, but couldn't get those; We will meet again on Dec 9," he added.
'Farmers should keep faith in Modi govt that whatever will be done, it will be in their interest. I want to thank Farmers' unions for maintaining the discipline...Since talks couldn't be completed today, we've called for another meeting on 9th December,' said Union Agriculture Minister.
Assuring farmers their commitment towards resolving the issue, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reiterated that MSP will continue and that there is no threat to it. "We have said that the MSP will continue, there is no threat to it. It is baseless to doubt this. Still, if someone is suspicious then the government is ready to resolve it," he said.
"We've told farmers that govt will consider all their aspects. It would've been easier for us to find a solution if we get suggestions from farmers' leaders...We request Kisan unions to send elderly & children back home in wake of Covid & cold weather," he added.
Punjabi singers perform at Singhu border to express solidarity with protesting farmers
As the fifth round of talks between the govt and the farmer unions remained inconclusive, the government sought time from unions to present a concrete proposal after further consultations and proposed another meeting on December 9.
Farmers' group went on a 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) during their fifth round of talks with the government and sought a reply in 'yes' or 'no' on their key demand of repealing the three new farm laws, union leaders said. As their meeting with three union ministers, including Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, continued for nearly four hours, farmer leaders told the government to reply in "black and white" that whether it will repeal the laws or not. "Farmer union leaders are sitting on a 'maun vrat'," Punjab Kisan Union leader Ruldhu Singh said.
Halfway through the talks between the Centre and the farmers union, the latter threatened to walk out if the government was not willing to scrap the the three laws enacted in September.
However, the government managed to convince them to continue with the talks and offered to take back cases filed against farmers for stubble burning, as also the cases filed against some farmer activists. Later in the evening, the ministers began talking to smaller groups of 3-4 farmer leaders, out of the total 35 representatives present there.
Delhi: Singer & actor Diljit Singh Dosanjh on Saturday addressed protesting farmers at Singhu border. A day ago, Dosanjh and Kangana Ranaut got into a war of words over the Panga actor’s tweet about a Punjabi woman involved in the farmers’ protest.
"We have only one request to Centre..please fulfil the demands of our farmers. Everyone is sitting here peacefully & entire country is with farmers," ANI quoted him.
Traffic moved bumper to bumper on key routes in Delhi on Saturday as thousands of protesting farmers stayed put at the national capital's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for the 10th day on the trot. The Delhi Traffic Police took to Twitter to inform commuters about the closure of Singhu, Lampur, Auchandi, Safiabad, Piao Maniyari, and Saboli borders. It also said that National Highway-44 was closed on both sides. The police instructed commuters to take alternative routes via National Highway-8, Bhopra, Apsara border, and Peripheral expressway.
Several former sportspersons from Punjab including Padma Shri and Arjuna awardees left for Delhi on Saturday to return their awards in support of the farmers' protest against the Centre's three agriculture reform laws. They will join the farmers camping at the national capital's Singhu border on Saturday before returning their awards to the president the next day.
"We have left for Delhi today and will join the farmers' protest," said former wrestler Kartar Singh, who is a Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee. "Many former players like Sajjan Singh Cheema who could not join us because of health or other issues have given their sports awards to us," he said. The sportspersons said they have sought time from President Ram Nath Kovind to return the awards. "If are not allotted a time to meet the president, we will place our awards outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday," said former hockey player Rajbir Kaur.
Extending support to farmers protesting outside Delhi against Centre's three contentious farm laws, the DMK on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with them and demanded withdrawing the legislations. DMK president M K Stalin and senior party leaders staged protests in different parts of the state,extending support to the farmers, mostly from Punjab, who have been agitating for nearly 10 days outside the national capital. Stalin, Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly, led a well-attended protest demonstration here, which happens to be the native district of Chief Minister K Palaniswami.
At Vigyan Bhawan, farmer leaders having lunch arranged from their langer (community kitchen).
Seeking to break the deadlock over protests against new farm laws, the government on Saturday told representatives of agitating farmers that they are ready to address all their concerns with an open mind, PTI reported citing its sources.
Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, an MP from Punjab, addressed the leaders in Punjabi and said the government understands the sentiments of Punjab. "We are ready to address all your concerns with an open mind," a source quoted Parkash as telling the union leaders. The talks between the government and the protesting unions began around 2.30 pm and was also attended by Railway, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal.
The talks between the government and the protesting unions began at the Vigyan Bhawan here around 2.30 pm. Both the sides are currently discussing contentious issues like provision of dispute resolution and registration of traders in proposed private mandis under the new laws.
Fifth round of meeting between farmers' representatives and the Central government underway at Vigyan Bhawan. The farmers' representatives have asked the Central Govt to give a pointwise written reply of the last meeting, to which the govt has agreed.
People have a right to demonstrate peacefully and authorities need to let them do so, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said while speaking on the farmers' protests in India, PTI reported. "As to the question of India, what I would say to you is what I've said to others when raising these issues is that people have a right to demonstrate peacefully, and authorities need to let them do so," Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said on Friday. India has termed the remarks by foreign leaders on protests by farmers "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" as the matter pertained to the internal affairs of a democratic country.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reaches Vigyan Bhawan to hold talks with agitating farmers.
Representatives of farmers' unions have reached Vigyan Bhawan where they are scheduled to meet the Central ministers for discussion over the contentious farm laws. "We want to complete rollback of the laws. If the government doesn't accept our demand, we will continue our agitation" said Harjinder Singh Tanda, state chief of Azad Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab.
Ahead of the fifth round of talks with Centre, the farmers at the Singhu border sent out a message that they will walk out of the meeting if they do not agree to scrap the farm laws. "If they agree, we will continue with further talks or will walk out of the meeting immediately. Hence, we are not expecting this meeting to last long," Jagmohan Singh Patiala, working committee member of All India Kisan Sangrash Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) said Saturday.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hailed the women farmers for their courage and determination. Taking to Twitter he wrote in Hindi, "The power and determination of women farmers taking part in the movement is also an aspect of feminism in India. They continue to bravely face the atrocities by the Modi government till the roll back of the farm laws. Salutations to all these sisters in the fight for their rights."
Farmer leaders leave from Singhu border for Vigyan Bhawan to hold third round of talks with the central government on the farm laws.
Minister of State, Agriculture, Kailash Choudhary claimed the Opposition parties are instigating the farmers to protest. "Farmers' doubts will be cleared in today’s meeting with Centre. In recent meetings, some issues were clarified. It's Opposition's politics, they're instigating the protest. The meeting will be fruitful and we expect farmers will roll back protest," he told ANI.
Farmers at Burari's Nirankari Samagam Ground said they will make the movement bigger.
DMK is organising a state-wide black-flag-protest in all the district headquarters in Tamil Nadu in support of the farmers who are demanding the withdrawal of three new agriculture laws.
A tractor with DJ system was spotted at Delhi Haryana border
Ahead of the fifth round of meeting with protesting farmers on Saturday, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Narendra Singh Tomar reached Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi, news agency ANI reported. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also reached PM's residence in New Delhi.
The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) on Friday said the organisation will ask for permission from Delhi Police to allow farmers take a round of the city on their tractors so that they can visit popular spots like the Red Fort and the Rashtrapati Bhavan, news agemcy PTI reported. After visiting the historical places, the farmers would return to the Ghazipur border, BKU national president Rakesh Tikait told PTI, adding that there are many farmers amonng those protesting there, who have come to the NCR for the first time and they should be allowed to see the city.
Delhi minister Satyendar Jain on Friday visited the Singhu border, a site of the ongoing farmers' agitation, and said the AAP is available to serve the agriculturists at all times. 'The farmers are the backbone of our nation. If standing with the farmers is politics, then everyone should be involved in this revolution,' he said. 'Instructions have been issued to make more arrangements for fire and water proof tents,' Jain was quoted as saying in a statement. --PTI
Bihar's leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Friday expressed solidarity with the protesting farmers and backed the demand for written legal provision of MSP even as his party questioned the silence of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat – who is currently in the state – on the issue.
Tejashwi told reporters he would lead RJD's dharna at Patna's Gandhi Maidan to lend support to farmers on Saturday.
“The NDA government at the Centre has been taking anti-farmer decisions for the past six years. It got three farm Bills passed without taking farmers' associations into confidence... If the new farm laws are so good, why is not MSP being made essential,” he said. “In fact, entire mandi system would collapse with the new arrangement and only corporate houses would benefit from it. If one nation, one market is bring discussed, why is not one MSP being discussed?"
Farmers continue to hold a sit-in protest at Chilla border (Delhi-Noida Link Road) against the Centre's farm laws. A farmer says, "If anything concrete doesn't happen in today's meeting with the Central government then we will gherao the Parliament."
It was a crisis foretold. The farmer protests on the borders of Delhi and their discussions with the government at Vigyan Bhavan — another round of talks will be held Saturday — are a rerun of the concerns raised in Parliament this September over the three farm Bills, and suggestions which the government chose to ignore.
The Opposition had urged the government not to pass the Bills in a hurry, but to send them for Parliamentary scrutiny given the sweep, intent and implications. From MSP to mandi system, contract farming to dispute resolution mechanism, these concerns of the farmers had been flagged by MPs, even from parties such as AIADMK and BJD which are considered friendly to the government. Yet Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who is now leading the talks with the farmers, told Lok Sabha on September 17: “I want to request the farmers not to get influenced by disinformation for political ends (rajnitik drishti se kiye gaye kisi bhi dushprachar se prabhavit na ho).”
Click here to what members said during the debates in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on September 17 and September 20.