Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers’ protests: Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Narendra Singh Tomar meet at BJP chief Nadda’s residence

Defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah and agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday held a meeting at BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda’s residence to discuss the ongoing farmers’ protests at the Delhi-Haryana border. Home minister Amit Shah who was on a visit to Hyderabad to boost BJP’s chances ahead of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Polls returned to Delhi on Sunday evening. He had earlier on Saturday requested protesting farmers to withdraw their protests and hold talks with the Centre regarding their grievances. Farmers have rejected the governments offer and said that they will only speak to the government if there are no pre-conditions. The government on Saturday told the agitating farmers that they will hold discussions if they move their protest to a DDA ground in Burari. Farmers group rejected the proposal highlighting that the home ministry should not hold discussions regarding agricultural issues. All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee leader Darshan Pal told HT that the home ministry has no role to play in the talks regarding the issues faced by farmers. He said, “We have rejected the offer for talks with the home ministry. The home ministry has nothing to do with farmers or agriculture.”Bharatiya Kisan Union Krantikari-wing’s president Surjeet S Phul also told ANI that they will continue to block the five entry points to the capital city and termed the protest site earmarked by the Centre as an ‘open-air’ prison. Phul said, “Instead of going to open jail in Burari, we’ve decided that we will gherao Delhi by blocking five main entry points to Delhi. We’ve 4 months ration with us, so nothing to worry about.”The agitation began on November 25 when farmer groups began their Delhi Chalo march demanding that the government repeals the three farm bills - the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill; the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill - passed during the monsoon session in the Parliament. Farmer groups broke through barricades at Sambhu and Karnal at the Punjab-Haryana border on Thursday after Haryana police denied them entry. Following clashes between Haryana Police and protesters tear gas shells were lobbed and water cannons were sprayed at the protesters. Farmers believe that these three laws will allow private players to gain profits from the agricultural sector and will adversely impact the procurement of foodgrains under the minimum support price system.

Hindustan Times

29-11-2020

India