Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers firm on repeal of agri laws

Dimming hopes of a compromise, a joint front of protesting farmer groups on Friday rejected the Centre’s proposals to amend the three contentious agriculture laws and called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on December 8 to widen the agitation. The front reiterated the farmers’ demand for a total repeal of the three Central laws. The announcement by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha came ahead of a crucial round of talks, scheduled on Saturday, between the joint front of farmer unions and top Central Ministers, tasked with negotiating a deal with the protesters. ‘Unanimous decision’ Addressing a press conference at the Singhu border here, the Morcha leaders said the decision to seek a repeal of the three laws was reached unanimously after two rounds of talks — the first between the leaders of Punjab farmers organisations and the second with farmers’ unions across the country. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) general-secretary Harvinder Singh Lakhowal, who presided over the morning meetings, said the farmer unions had given a call for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on December 8, besides deciding to burn the effigies of the Modi government and corporate houses on December 5. Mr. Lakhowal said sportspersons and other dignitaries would return their medals to the government on December 7 as a mark of protest. He said toll barriers across the country would be made “free” for a day on a later date. He added that farmer unions would also attempt to close the two highways leading to Delhi that are still open by December 8.

The Hindu

2020-12-05

NEW DELHI