LIVE: Govt defers 10th round of talks with farmers’ unions to Jan 20

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday hit out at the central government over the National Investigation Agency (NIA) issuing notices to some farmer union leaders and those supporting the ongoing agitation against three new farm laws. "Do these farmers look like secessionists and terrorists? Such arm-twisting tactics will not weaken the resolve of the farmers to fight for their rights and their future," the chief minister said, referring to the NIA summons reportedly issued in connection with a case related to the banned Sikhs For Justice outfit.

Govt postpones 10th round of talks with protesting farmers' leaders to Jan 20: Agriculture Ministry. Read more

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a joint forum of farmer organisations spearheading the ongoing protest against farm laws, on Monday disassociated itself from a meeting its constituent Gurnam Singh Chaduni had attended with some opposition leaders, and reiterated that the movement "will not have any direct engagement with any political party". A controversy erupted after Bhartiya Kisan Union-Haryana president Chaduni attended the meeting along with the opposition leaders in Delhi on Sunday and supported a call for convening a 'Jan Sansad' (People's Parliament) on the farmers' issue on January 22-23. In a statement, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) said its coordination committee "inquired into the controversial matter of Chaduni's meeting with several political parties".

The Puducherry Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution demanding repeal of the central farm laws after it witnessed high drama with Chief Minister V Narayanasamy tearing copies of the contentious acts against which farmers are protesting near Delhi. A special one-day session of the union territory assembly also passed another resolution reiterating its demand for full statehood, the tenth time it resorted to the measure since 1987. All three members of DMK, the ruling Congress' ally, were conspicuous by their absence while the entire opposition -- All India NR Congress, AIADMK and BJP boycotted the proceedings as the two resolutions were adopted by a voice vote.

The farmers' fight is not with any political party but with the policy of the government, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Rakesh Tikait said here on Monday, warning the ongoing protest over the farm laws could prolong further.

Tikait, who has participated in the multiple rounds of dialogues between farmers unions and the government representatives in Delhi over the past 54 days, was in Noida where he addressed protestors belonging to the BKU's faction Lok Shakti. "Our fight is not with any party but the government. Here (in the protest) also we have people who support the BJP and will vote for them in the next election. But any party or ideology is not our concern. We are against the policy of the government," he said, addressing hundreds, including women and youth, at the Dalit Prerna Sthal.

We've come here with full preparations, we're not leaving anytime soon. We know that it (resolution of farmer protest) would not happen tomorrow. It (talks) might drag further for a month or two: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union on tomorrow's meeting with govt

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said the protests against the Centre's farm laws were just a few people in disagreement, and added that the changes allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere like traders. Speaking to reporters in Betul, the Union minister for petroleum and gas also took a swipe at protesters claiming it was difficult to make those understand who wanted to remain asleep. "The disagreement of a few people cannot be called a farmers agitation. Is it there in Betul? MP agriculture minister Kamal Patel has shared his experiences with me. We are talking in a straight manner and are able to put forth our views in villages," he said.

“Do these farmers look like secessionists and terrorists?,” Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh asks BJP-led Centre over NIA notices to farmers and those who have supported the protests.

Thousands of farmers hold a tractor march at Chandigarh-Punjab border against the three farm laws.

Security tightened outside NIA office in Delhi. It had summoned around 40 people, including farmer leaders, for questioning.

Several political people visit our tent but it doesn't mean we are misusing them or vice versa. We never took anyone to the stage. People who are against us also come here. If they will come here to support us, we won't push them out but welcome them: Gurnam Singh Chaduni

We will issue a notice to the newspaper that published the article, as well as Shiv Kumar Kakka. He should have provided some evidence. These are tricks of the government trying to break the protest and they won't be successful: BKU chief Gurnam Singh Chanduni

Following a call of SKM to observe January 18 as ‘Mahila Kisan Diwas’, thousands of women held a protest against BJP leader Harjit Singh Grewal at his native town Dhanaula in Barnala district.

Whenever there's a protest, BJP tries to malign it. As for protesting farmers, sometimes the BJP called them Pakistani or Khalistani. They even alleged that farmers are middleman's broker. Regardless of their attempts to suppress, farmers won't be scared: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

Several farmers protesting at Delhi’s borders have said they would not return to their home states to get vaccinated against Covid-19 before the three contentious farm laws were repealed.

We're not associated with "all-party meeting" taken up by Gurnam Singh Chaduni (Bhartiya Kisan Union chief) with political parties: Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM)

Protesting farmers observe January 18 as 'Women Farmers Day' to respect the incomparable role of women in agriculture.

Talks between govt and farm leaders are stuck on two major demands by farmers: legal assurance for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and total repeal of laws. Of the four issues raised by farmers, the two sides have arrived at a consensus on two.

Supreme Court adjourns farmers' tractor rally issue till Wednesday.

Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for Centre, says the rally will be "illegal" and there will likely be an entry of 5000 people in Delhi.

SC begins hearing Centre's plea against proposed January 26 tractor march. CJI-headed bench says entry in Delhi law and order thing to be decided by police.

Delhi’s borders with its neighbouring states, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, remained closed at several points on Monday due to the ongoing farmers' agitation.

The Supreme Court on Monday will also hear a plea filed by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lokshakti) seeking removal of three other members of the four-member committee set up by top court to oversee negotiations.

Total nine rounds of talks have taken place between the government and farmer leaders. The ninth round took place on January 15 with the tenth scheduled for January 19.

The farmers unions have rejected the four-member panel constituted by the Supreme Court to oversee the mediation process. The members of the panel, farmers say, have already expressed pro-farm law views. One member of the panel has already stood down.