Farmers Movement Archive

Seventh round of talks with farm unions ends in stalemate

The seventh round of talks between Union Ministers and protesting farm unions on Monday failed to resolve the deadlock over three new agricultural reform laws. Both sides stuck to their own positions and accused the other of stubbornness, with the Centre seeking to discuss specific concerns on the laws and the farmers demanding total repeal. The next meeting will be held on January 8. Tens of thousands of farmers have now completed 40 days of agitation on the borders of Delhi, braving bitter cold and pouring rain over the last few days. “There will be no ghar vapasi (return home) until the laws are repealed,” Rakesh Tikait, leader of one factions of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, vowed after the meeting with Union ministers. Although the 41 union representatives and three Central ministers were closeted in the conference centre of Vigyan Bhavan for four hours, an extended lunch break — during which the ministers held internal consultations — took up almost half that time. The meeting began with the attendees observing two minutes’ silence to pay respects to the more than 50 protestors who have died over the course of the agitation. Farm unions also urged the Centre to condemn the “brutality” of the Haryana Police, which had used tear gas and chilli grenades on a group of protestors who broke through barricades on the Delhi-Jaipur highway on Sunday. During the first hour, the ministers listed the benefits of the three laws, saying they would bring more marketing choices for farmers.

The Hindu

2021-01-05

NEW DELHI