Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers protest updates: With some progress, govt and farmers decide to meet again on January 4

Government and farmers’ unions met at 2 pm on Thursday, as protests against the three farm laws enter day 35. On Monday, the government had proposed to hold the sixth round of talks on Wednesday, with the farmers’ unions accepting the proposal a day later. Initially, responding to the Centre’s offer to hold the sixth round of talks at a date and time as convenient to the farmers, the unions had on Saturday proposed to hold the dialogue at 11 am on December 29. The unions had earlier rejected the government’s first proposal in this regard.After the meet, the stakeholders have decided to come together for a seventh round of talks on January to end the stalemate. Previous five rounds of talks, including one each on December 1, 3 and 5 have failed to resolve the impasse. While the Centre has refused to repeal the laws and has instead suggested amendments, the farmers are adamant on a complete rollback.On Tuesday, day 34 of the protests, police in Patna had to lathi-charge a group of protesters who were trying to march to the Bihar governor’s residence to express their support for the farmers protesting at various borders of Delhi. Also on the day, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), whose government is in power in Delhi, announced that it would provide free wifi to the protesting farmers. The AAP has, on a number of occasions, expressed its support for the farmers, with party convenor and Delhi chief minister visiting the Singhu border, the epicentre of the protests, twice. Last month, Kejriwal had rejected the Delhi Police’s request to turn the city’s stadiums into temporary jails, as the police tried to stop the protesters from entering the national capital. Then, on December 17, Kejriwal and AAP MLAs had torn copies of the three laws at a special one-day session of the Delhi Assembly.Here are the updates from day 34 of the anti-farm law protests:With some progress, govt and farmers decide to meet again on January 4The government and farmers union on Wednesday reached some consensus as ministers said that meet concluded positively. “Today’s talks were held in a very good environment and it concluded on a positive note. Consensus on 2 out of 4 issues was reached between both sides,” Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said after the sixth round of talks with farmers’ unions at Vigyan Bhawan. At crucial talks with farmers, govt proposes committee to scrutinise farm lawsThree Union ministers holding their sixth round of talks with protesting farm leaders have not agreed to repeal three farm laws but proposed a committee to examine the laws. The farmers have maintained that the laws will hurt their livelihoods and reduce their earnings.Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Piyush Goyal and Som Prakash also discussed the possibility of a law on guaranteeing minimum prices for farm prices, a senior farmers’ representative present in the talks. Congress attacks BJP for ‘aiding corporate interests’, seeks swift resolution to farmers’ protestsThe Congress on Wednesday hit out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for “only aiding corporate interests” while seeking a swift resolution to the farmers’ protests and repealing of three farm laws enacted in September.Read more. Vehicle carrying food for farmers reaches Vigyan BhawanA ‘Kar Sewa’ tempo, carrying food for farmers delegation, seen at Vigyan Bhawan where the sixth-round of talks over Farm Laws between Centre and farmer unions is currently underway. Delhi: A 'Kar Sewa' tempo, carrying food for farmers delegation, seen at Vigyan Bhawan.Sixth-round of talks over Farm Laws between Centre and farmer unions is currently underway https://t.co/LVIVnQCGQu pic.twitter.com/zj1hUwKZ0cFarmers leaders demand justice and compensation for the families of the farmers who died during the protestFarmer leaders on Wednesday asked the government to compensate the kin of farmers who died during the protest, reported news agency ANI. Sixth round of talks between Centre and farmer unions begins in DelhiFarmer unions and Centre have started discussion on the new farm laws. Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar started the discussions with a short speech, according to an official familiar with the developments. He suggested the farmer unions to discuss the easier issues first. Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal reach Vigyan BhavanUnion ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal have reached Vigyan Bhavan to hold discussions on the farm bills with leaders of the farmers’ union. Delhi: Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal arrive at Vigyan Bhawan to hold talks with farmer leaders pic.twitter.com/EkuaE6E2GnFarmer leaders arrive for sixth round of talksA delegation of farmer leaders arrives at Vigyan Bhawan for talks with the Centre. Delhi: A delegation of farmer leaders arrives at Vigyan Bhawan for talks with the Union GovernmentA farmer leader says, "Our stand is clear that the three farm laws should be taken back." https://t.co/XqNmjQkfZm pic.twitter.com/dah0LfIkjOReliance Jio writes to Punjab CM, DGP over vandalisation of mobile towersReliance Jio Infocomm writes to Punjab CM and DGP seeking their intervention into “incidents of sabotage and vandalism at Jio Network sites” in Punjab by unknown personsDelegation of farmer leaders leave for sixth round of talksA delegation of farmers leaders leave Singhu border to hold talks with Centre over three farm laws. A delegation of farmers leaders leave Singhu border to hold talks with Centre over three farm lawsUnion Government will hold sixth round of talks with the protesting farmers today. pic.twitter.com/RamZKPxwrQHope that farmers’ agitation ends today: MoS (commerce and industry) Som Parkash“We hope that the talks will be decisive. Talks will be held on all issues including MSP with an open heart. I hope that farmers’ agitation ends today,” says MoS (commerce and industry) Som Parkash.Farmers’ union says don’t expect to reach a solution today as wellFive rounds of talks between farmers and government have taken place. We don’t think we will reach a solution even today. The three farm laws should be repealed: Sukhwinder Singh Sabra, joint secretary, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab.No question on the integrity of Sikhs: Rajnath SinghOur Sikh brothers have always protected the culture of India. Their contribution will be remembered for protecting the country’s self-respect. There is no question on their integrity: Rajnath SinghNo question of being ‘insensitive’ towards farmers, says Rajnath SinghThere is no question of being insensitive towards farmers. Our farmers are holding demonstrations and I am not the only one pained but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pained as well: Rajnath SinghFarmers shouldn’t be called ‘Naxals,’ ‘Khalistanis’: Rajnath Singh“These allegations should not be made by anyone against farmers. We express our deepest respect towards them. Our heads bow in respect towards our farmers. They are our ‘annadatas’,” says Rajnath Singh.‘Some forces’ trying to create misconceptions among farmers, Rajnath Singh tells ANI“Some forces have tried to create some misperceptions amongst farmers. We’ve also spoke to several farmers. My only request to farmers is that clause-wise discussion should be done and not seek ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. We will find a resolution,” Union defence minister Rajnath Singh tells news agency ANI in exclusive interview.Unions adamant on total rollback of lawsIn their reply to the Centre on Saturday, the farmers’ unions that the talks will only be will only be on the modalities of repealing the three new farm laws and giving a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP), among other issues.Centre-farm unions to meet at 2 pm for sixth round of talksSixth round of talks between the Centre and farmers’ unions will take place at 2 pm on Wednesday after the unions, on Tuesday, accepted the government’s offer in this regard.

Hindustan Times

31-12-2020

India