Farmers Movement Archive

Statements on Centre open for dialogue is nothing but empty promises: farmers

Protesting farmers at the Singhu border on Wednesday said that the Centre’s comments on resuming talks were “false promises” and despite assurances, the government had not invited the unions for dialogue. Several farmers, who have been at the border for nearly five months now, said despite 11 meetings with Union Ministers, they had failed to convince farmers on why the three laws were beneficial to them. Gurmeet Singh, a farmer from Moga, said, “We had a very clear proposal that all the three laws need to be repealed completely. The government conducted 11 meetings, yet they could not explain or impress upon us as to why the laws will be beneficial to us and why we should accept the laws. Statements that they are open for a dialogue is nothing but empty promises.” “Ministers also keep mentioning about the pandemic. But on the other hand, they are allowing the Kumbh Mela to take place. Is this not double standards? Will the virus come to only Delhi and affect the farmers?” Mr. Singh asked. Stating that the government had to make the first move and invite the unions for a dialogue, the farmers reiterated their stand that they would not vacate the protest sites till the laws were repealed. Amardeep Singh, a farmer from Patiala district, said, “Sitting over here in this heat is not easy for us. We are facing difficulties as well but that does not mean that we will abandon the protest. The government needs to approach us for the next round of talks.” Maninder Singh, another farmer from Patiala, said: “When the union leaders went for a discussion, our stand was clear and we wanted a complete repeal of the laws. Our demands have not changed over the past few months ... By talking of a discussion but not really inviting the leaders for talks, they are only giving false assurances.”

The Hindu

2021-04-15

NEW DELHI