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Farmers’ protest updates: Govt puts onus on protesting farmers, asks leaders to decide date and hold talks on proposals put forth earlier
Farmers, majority of whom are from Punjab, have been protesting at various borders of the national capital since last week of November. They are demanding a complete repeal of all three laws.
Farmers’ agitation against the three contentious farm laws entered day 25 on Sunday as the impasse between the government and farmers’ unions continues. Amid the ongoing deadlock, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to Assocham on Saturday reiterated that the reforms brought by the laws are already benefitting farmers. “Agriculture reforms initiated six months back have started benefitting farmers,” he said.
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar met agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday and said a fresh round of talks between the government and the farmers could be held in the next 2-3 days. “A solution to this issue (farmers’ protest) should be found through discussion. I have said that this issue should be resolved soon,” CM Khattar said.
Also read: If govt can’t find a solution, we will plough our way to one, warns Bharatiya Kisan Union at UP Gate
Rashtriya Loktantrik Party’s Hanuman Beniwal, an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) from Rajasthan, on Saturday resigned from three parliamentary committees in support of farmers’ agitation against the Centre’s agriculture-related laws. His party has decided to lead a march of two lakh farmers from Rajasthan to Delhi on December 26.
Meanwhile, thousands of farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting at Delhi borders for more than three weeks. Several protesting leaders have threatened to step up their agitation and have said that they are prepared to celebrate the Republic Day next year with their own tractor rally on Delhi borders.
Also read: Protesting farmers’ steadfast in their demands as Delhi temperature plummets to season’s lowest yet
Various organisations associated with the farmers’ agitation have announced that they will observe ‘Farmer Martyrs Homage Day’ on Sunday in the memory of farmers who have died since the agitation began. All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) said in a statement, “All the AIKS units across the country along with the constituent Kisan organizations of the AIKSCC and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha will observe 20th December 2020 as the farmer martyrs Homage Day with massive participation.”
33 farmers who had been participating in the struggle have died since 26th November, according to the AIKS.
The tributes will be paid from 11 am to 1 pm in all houses across the country’s villages, the organisation stated adding that the “supreme sacrifices of these farmer fighters will not go in vain.”
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Govt puts onus on protesting farmers, asks leaders to decide date and hold talks on proposals put forth earlier
The Central Government asked protesting farmers to suggest a date for dialogue on proposals the latter had sent earlier, farmers were asked to give up their stance of yes or no on repeal of laws. Centre also said that the last letter sent by farmers lacks clarity, putting the onus on them.
AIKS to flag off farmers’ vehicular march from Nashik to Delhi on Monday
Thousands of farmers from 21 districts in Maharashtra will start their march (‘vehicle jatha’) under the banner of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) from Nasik to Delhi, on Monday, reported PTI. After paying respect to Chhatrapati Shivaji, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar the march will proceed towards Delhi, where farmers have been protesting Centre’s new farm laws.
Western Railway tweets list of trains diverted and short terminated due to farmers’ protest in Punjab
Western Railway tweeted on Sunday that train movement of some trains have been affected due to the ongoing farmers’ protest in Punjab. Few trains have been diverted, and some have been short terminated and accordingly short originated. All affected trains were scheduled to travel from Amritsar towards Mumbai Central and Bandra.
Farmers in Haryana and Punjab observe ‘Shradhanjali Diwas’, pay homage to those who died protesting
Farmers’ in Punjab and Haryana paid homage to their fallen counterparts and observed ‘Shradhanjali Diwas’ to those who died protesting the new farm laws, reported news agency PTI. Farmers’ bodies have claimed that over 30 protesting farmers have died so far due to different reasons including heart attack and in road accidents.
Farmers to halt toll collection on Haryana highways from December 25- 27: Farmer leader
Farmer leader Jagjeet Singh Dalewala told PTI that protesting farmers will halt toll collection on Highways in Haryana from December 25 to 27 as a part of the ongoing farmers protest.
Protesting farmers will go on a day-long hunger strike on Monday, says Yogendra Yadav
Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav says farmers to hold day-long relay hunger strike on Monday at all protest sites, reported PTI
22-year-old farmers dies of suicide after returning from protest near Delhi
22-year-old farmer from Punjab, who returned from a protest site near Delhi border, allegedly ends life by consuming some poisonous substance in Dayalpura Mirza village of Bathinda district said Police, reported PTI.
Farmers group in Jharkhand observes Shahidi Diwas, takes out rally to pay homage
Union minister VK Singh says, farmers’ protest more political in nature
Union Minister VK Singh on Sunday said the on going protests by farmers against the three Central farm laws was “more political” in nature and underlined the NDA government’s intent to ensure the welfare of the ryots, reports PTI.
Farmers’ union say see no headway in talks with Centre
The farmers unions have stated that they are not seeing any pragmatic changes from government’s side. “The government is delaying our matter unnecessarily. They should have repealed the laws by now and send the farmers back to their homes. Although the government has stated that before the new year begins there would be a solution, however pragmatically speaking, we are not seeing anything hopeful or even close to that,”ANI reported Manjit Singh Rai, President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) as saying.
Farmers, members of Hind Mazdoor Kisan Samiti begin tractor march in support of farm laws
Protests not affiliated to any political party: Farmers’ union writes to PM Modi, Tomar
A farmers’ union has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar saying the ongoing protests by farmers are not affiliated to any political party even as the agitation entered Day 24 on Sunday. Read more
Protesters to observe ‘Shahidi Diwas’ today
“We’ll observe Shahidi Divas today & pay tribute to those who lost their lives during this movement,” says Mange Ram Tyagi, Chief Secy, Delhi-NCR,Bhartiya Kisan Union. Read more
Government ready for talks if farmers come forward without seeking a ‘yes or no’ response: Khattar
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Saturday that the government is ready for talks with the farmers if they come forward without seeking a ‘yes or no’ response to their demand, news agency PTI reported. “In a day or two, there can be a way out for talks. The government is ready for discussion if farmer union leaders come forward beyond yes or no,” Khattar was quoted as saying in a Haryana government statement.
