Farmers’ protest Highlights: Congress leaders to stage protest against farm laws tomorrow in Rajasthan

As the seventh round of talks between the famer groups and the central government will be held on Monday, farmer groups said on Friday that they would intensify their agitation if the government failed to resolve their demands for the repeal of the three controversial farm reforms and a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) during the meeting. Speaking to reporters at the Singhu border in Delhi, the leaders of the groups pointed out that only five per cent of the issues raised by them have discussed in meetings with the Union ministers. The farmers have also warned of a tractor rally on Wednesday if the reforms are not repealed.

It has been over a month since farmers have been protesting against the farm reforms at several border points in the national capital. Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar told news agency PTI said that the Centre was hopeful of a positive outcome at the seventh round of talks with farmer groups adding that the previous meet held on December 30 happened in a cordial atmosphere and there was a possibility of positive results in the interest of farmers at the next meeting on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police on Saturday informed that Tikri, Singhu, Jharoda and other borders remained closed for traffic movement and urged commuters to opt for alternative routes. A 57-year-old farmer, who was a Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) supporter from Baghpat, died at the UP Gate protest site on Friday due to harsh weather conditions. Police said that the farmer’s family did not opt for a post mortem and his body was sent to his village for last rites. On the eve of the New Year, a tribute was paid to all farmers who have lost their lives amid the standoff . A candlelight march was also brought out.

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Congress leaders in Rajasthan to protest against farm laws tomorrow

Several leaders from Rajasthan Congress including Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, party’s state unit chief Govind Singh Dotasara, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot will stage a protest at Jaipur’s Shaheed Smarak demanding the repeal of new agriculture laws.

Govt’s commitment to welfare of farmers ‘unparalleled’: Prakash Javadekar

A day after over 850 academicians came out in support of three agricultural laws, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the central government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers is ‘unparalleled’.

If our demands are not met till January 26,then farmers will hold ‘Kisan Gantantra Parade’ in Delhi: Yogendra Yadav

If our demands are not met till January 26,then farmers will hold ‘Kisan Gantantra Parade’ in Delhi. We appeal to farmers from adjoining areas of national capital to be prepared and request every farmer family of country to send a member to Delhi if possible:Yogendra Yadav,Swaraj India.

Farmer dies at protest site, police suspect suicide

A police officer said that a 72-year-old farmer allegedly died due to suicide at a farmer protest site in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad on Saturday morning. “The deceased... was found hanging at one of the mobile toilets at the protest site. He has also left behind a note which is written in Punjabi,” said circle officer Anshu Jain. Meanwhile, Shamsher Rana of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) said that the farmer blamed the Centre for not accepting the demands of the protesters.

Protesting farmers to take out tractor march in Delhi on Jan 26

Krantikari Kisan Union President Darshan Pal said Friday that the protesting farmers will hold marches towards governors’ houses in different States adding that a tractor march will be held in Delhi on January 26.

 

On 23rd January, we will hold marches towards Governors' Houses in different States, and 'tractor Kisan Parade' will be held on 26th January in Delhi: Krantikari Kisan Union President Darshan Pal#FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/y9h3oPmL0Z

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2021

‘Confident ongoing farm stir will end’: MoS Kailash Choudhary ahead of Jan 4 meeting

Before the Centre’s seventh round of meeting with farmers over the three farm laws on January 4, Union minister of state (MoS) for agriculture Kailash Choudhary said on Saturday that a solution would come up during the talks and that the ongoing stir would end.

 

Regarding contract farming,in the new bill,there can't be an investigation against farmer even if he is at fault. It also states there won't be any agreement regarding land of farmer.The bill is favourable for farmers & PM wants them to become 'atma nirbhar':MoS Kailash Chaudhary https://t.co/b2397FCsDF

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2021

Sindhu, Tikri borders continue to remain blocked

The Delhi Traffic Police on Saturday said that Singhu and Tikri borders in the national capital continued to remain blocked due to the ongoing agitation against the Centre’s farm reforms. The police urged commuters to take alternate routes for coming to Delhi via chilla, Anad Vihar, DND, Apsara and Bhopra borders.

Over 850 academicians across India support new farm laws

More than 850 academicians from different parts of the country have supported the farm reforms passed by the parliament in September by saying that these reforms seek to free farm trade from restrictions and enable farmers to sell their produce at competitive prices. In a statement issued, the academicians said, “The new laws provide full autonomy for farmers to sell their produce. We strongly believe in the government’s assurance to the farmers to protect their livelihoods. The government is still firmly committed to delivering the principle of minimum government, maximum governance.”