Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers’ protest LIVE: Changes need to be made in farm laws, says Dushyant Chautala

The farmers protest entered day 29 on Thursday as a stalemate between the government and the farmers continued. On Wednesday, a meeting was held with nearly 100 farm leaders, during which they decided to continue their protests until the government repeals the contentious farm laws that aim to liberalise the agricultural economy. They also decided to not resume the negotiations until the Centre draws up a new agenda.Meanwhile, Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said farm unions should come for talks and that thousands of farmers sleeping out in the bitter cold was a “matter of deep concern” for the government.The farm unions also sent a letter to the agriculture ministry in which they asked the government to come up with “something concrete in writing” instead of “just repeating proposals and amendments.” “you should offer something concrete in writing so that we can make that the basis of our agenda to resume the dialogue process,” it stated.Experts said this pretty much squashes hopes of negotiations restarting anytime soon.The standoff between the Union government and farmers continues over the passage of new legislation to open up the country’s agricultural sector to private investment, a move the government says will enable farmers better incomes and modernise the farm sector. Farmers say the reforms will leave them at the mercy of private corporations.Follow all live updates here:Changes need to be made in farm laws: Dushyant Chautala“Changes need to be made in the agriculture laws and in this regard, written suggestions have been made to the central government and the Centre has also agreed to the same,” says Haryana deputy CM Dushyant Chautala.Agriculture minister meets Kisan Sena, thanks them for supporting farm laws21-member delegation of Kisan Sena meets Union agriculture minister Tomar. “I want to thank you all for supporting three farm laws and coming here for a direct dialogue with us. I got to know that Kisan Sena farmers were coming to Delhi to protest in support of farm Laws, but then upon intervention, you decided to come here and talk to us,” says Tomar.Demand repeal of agricultural laws: OppositionWe demand that the present Agri Laws be repealed along with the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020. Following this, discussions on agrarian reforms must be held by the Central government with the farmers and all stakeholders: Opposition partiesIn joint statement, Opposition lashes out at PM ModiOpposition parties issue joint statement on farm law protests. “We register our strong protest against baseless allegations being made by PM accusing opposition parties of “repeatedly lying” to farmers about new farm laws and “using them for their politics”. PM’s accusations are a complete travesty of truth,” the statement says.Even Congress doesn’t take Rahul Gandhi seriously: Narendra Singh Tomar“Watever Rahul Gandhi says, even Congress doesn’t take it seriously. Today when he went to register his protest with President with signatures, these farmers told me that no one from Congress came to them to get their signature,” says Tomar.Farmers from Baghpat have given letter supporting farm laws, says agriculture minister Tomar“Farmers from Baghpat have given me a letter in support of Centre’s farm laws. They’ve told me that government shouldn’t buckle under any pressure to make amendments to farm bills,” says agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar.Delegation of 60 farmers from Kisan Mazdoor Sangh meet agriculture ministerA delegation of 60 farmers belonging to Kisaan Majdoor Sangh, Baghpat meets Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at Krishi Bhawan. Delhi: A delegation of 60 farmers belonging to Kisaan Majdoor Sangh, Baghpat meets Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at Krishi Bhawan pic.twitter.com/v1KWxShAKZGovt again urges farmers to decide date of next round of talksGovernment writes to protesting farmers again, urges them to decide date and time for next round of talks. Govt writes to agitating farmers, asking them to decide the date and time for the next round of talks. "Govt is committed to reaching logical solutions of the issues raised by you," it reads. pic.twitter.com/tBglPwi8fs‘There is no democracy in India’: Rahul Gandhi“There is no democracy in India. It can be in your imagination, but not in reality,” says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after Delhi Police detains party leaders during their march to Rashtrapati Bhavan.PM Modi is making money for the crony capitalists: Rahul Gandhi“PM Modi is making money for the crony capitalists. Whoever will try to stand against him will be called terrorist - be it farmers, labourers and even Mohan Bhagwat,” said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.Farmers won’t go back until govt repeals farm laws: Rahul Gandhi“I want to tell the PM that these farmers are not going to go back home until these farm laws are repealed. Govt should convene a joint session of Parliament and take back these laws. Opposition parties stand with farmers and labourers,” said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.Police take Priyanka Gandhi and other party leaders to Mandir Marg Police StationSin to use the kind of names BJP leaders used for farmers: Priyanka Gandhi“It is a sin to use the kind of names they (BJP leaders and supporters) used for farmers. If government is calling them anti-nationals, then the government is a sinner,” said Priyanka Gandhi.In democracy, we have right to meet the President: Priyanka Gandhi“We’re living in democracy and they are elected MPs. They have the right to meet the President and they should be allowed. What is problem with that? Government is not ready to listen to voices of lakhs of farmers camping at borders,” says Priyanka Gandhi after being stopped by police.Police detain Congress leadersDelhi Police take Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders into custody. They were taking out a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan to submit to the President a memorandum containing 2 crore signatures seeking his intervention in farm laws issue.Police stop Congress leaders as they march to Rashtrapati BhavanPoloce stopped Congress leaders as they were marching towards Rashtrapati Bhavan. “Any dissent against this govt is classified as having elements of terror. We are undertaking this march to voice our support for the farmers,” says Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi.Rahul Gandhi meets party leaders ahead of marchCongress leader Rahul Gandhi met senior party leaders ahead of his scheduled march from Vijay Chowk to Rashtrapati Bhavan to submit to the President a memorandum containing 2 crore signatures seeking his intervention in farm laws issues.Delhi’s Chilla, Gazipur borders are closed for traffic comingDelhi’s Chilla and Gazipur borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida and Gaziabad to Delhi due to farmer protests. People are advised to take alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Apsara, Bhopra and Loni borders: Delhi traffic police advisoryHaryana police register case against farmers Haryana police register cases against farmers for allegedly blocking CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s convoy in Ambala . “We have registered cases against 13 farmers under various sections of Indian Penal Code & have initiated a probe into the matter,” news agency ANI reported quoting DSP Ambala Madan Lal.Sikh body donates 700 geysers to protesting farmersThe Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) donates 700 water geysers to the farmers. “We are doing everything to help the farmers in their struggle. In view of the severe cold, DSGMC distributed 700 geysers among the protesting farmers at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders,” said DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa.Vice President urge farmers to resume dialogueInteracting with a group of progressive farmers on the occasion of Kisan Diwas at his residence in Hyderabad, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said that any issue could be resolved through talks and added that the government has already declared that they are always ready to hold a dialogue with the farmers’ organizations.

Hindustan Times

24-12-2020

India