LIVE| Don't believe in rumours being spread to defame farm stir, says BKU leader

The farmers’ agitation against the central government’s three contentious laws has entered day 50. The ninth round of talks between the farmers’ unions and the government will take place tomorrow. Eight rounds of talks have been held between the two sides which remained inconclusive. Ahead of Friday’s meeting, Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Thursday that the government was ready to hold discussions with an open mind.

As the Supreme Court had stayed the implementation of the farm laws and formed a four-member panel to hear the protesting farmers as well as the government, Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Bhupinder Singh Mann- who was a member of the panel- decided to step down from this position when BKU’s Punjab unit decided to disassociate itself from him.

“As a farmer myself and a union leader, in view of the prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst the farm unions and the public in general, I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me so as to not compromise the interests of Punjab and farmers of the country,” Maan had said, according to news agency PTI.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again hit out at the Centre regarding the farm laws and said that the government would be forced to take back the laws. He added that the government was conspiring to destroy the farmers because it wanted to benefit 2-3 of its friends.

Follow all the updates here:

• JAN 14, 2021 10:35 PM IST

  Don't believe in rumours being spread to defame farm stir, says BKU leader

  BKU leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said on Thursday wrote an open letter to farmers and urged them to not believe in rumors being spread to defame the protest against the Centre's farm laws. Rajewal also said that rumors are being spread about the proposed tractor rally on January 26.

• JAN 14, 2021 08:33 PM IST

  NGO plans to install blood count measurement machine at Singhu Border

  An NGO which is already running a medical camp at Delhi's Singhu Border is planning to install a blood count measurement machine to help farmers. "there are a number of farmers at the border point having many underlying health conditions and the fast results generated by the Hematology analyzer could help guide the treatment of the farmers quicker," Sadiq Mohammad, a pharmacist and a volunteer of the NGO told news agency PTI.

• JAN 14, 2021 08:01 PM IST

  Unions want talks with govt to continue: Farmer leader

  Ahead of the ninth round of talks, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait asserted that this meeting was crucial to resolve the standoff. On being asked if the farmer groups have any hope from tomorrow's meet, Tikait told news agency PTI, " Let's see what happens tomorrow. But, our meetings will continue with the government till our protest ends as it is necessary."

• JAN 14, 2021 05:36 PM IST

  Hopeful of positive discussion at ninth round of talks with farmer unions on Friday: Narendra Singh Tomar

  Hopeful of positive discussion at ninth round of talks with farmer unions on Friday: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

• JAN 14, 2021 03:05 PM IST

  Bhupinder Mann, a member of SC-formed committee over farm laws, recuses himself from it

  Bhupinder Mann, a member of the SC-formed committee over Farm Laws, recuses himself from it.

  "In view of prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst farm unions and public, I am ready to sacrifice any position so as not to compromise Punjab and farmers' interests," his letter reads

• JAN 14, 2021 02:40 PM IST

  Government will be forced to take the three farm laws back: Rahul Gandhi

  Mark my words. Take it from me. The government will be forced to take these laws (the three farm laws), back. Remember what I said: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

• JAN 14, 2021 11:18 AM IST

  Govt wants to do politics on farmers' protest, paint it as anti-national: Shiv Sena

  Days after the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of the new farm laws, Shiv Sena on Thursday said that the Central government does not want to just end the protest on the contentious acts, but also wants to do politics by painting it as "anti-national".

• JAN 14, 2021 10:47 AM IST

  Farmers fighting for their rights against powerful forces: Rahul Gandhi

  Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday extended greetings to farmers protesting against the central farm laws and netizens of the country on the occasion of Pongal, Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu.

  The Wayand MP offered "special wishes" to the farmers agitating on the Delhi borders against the three agriculture laws, stating that "our Kisan-Mazdoors are fighting for their rights against powerful forces".

• JAN 14, 2021 10:08 AM IST

  Youth Congress collects soil for India’s map as a tribute

  The Youth Congress is collecting soil from across the country to draw a map of India as a mark of respect to those, who have lost their lives in the ongoing farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws enacted in September.