4 years ago
New Delhi:
The Kerala Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed a resolution seeking the withdrawal of all the three contentious agricultural laws enacted hurriedly by parliament in September. "At a time when the agricultural sector is facing a major crisis, the Central government has introduced and passed three new laws in Parliament that will have a major impact on the agricultural sector," said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Meanwhile, Central ministers and farmer leaders have reached a consensus on stubble burning and safeguarding power subsidies during talks on Wednesday, a farmer leader said. "Issues related to stubble burning and electricity were sorted in today's meeting. Two of our main issues still need to be resolved. We will discuss topics related to MSP and repealing of three Farm laws in the next meeting on January 4," Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), told media.
Farmers who attended the meet said the government has indicated that it would not repeal the laws, citing the long process required. The 41 farmers' groups attending the meet said they will respond after discussions.
Here are the live updates on farmer protests in India:
Not An Astrologer: Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar On Talks With Farmers On MondayAgriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said the government is hopeful of a "positive outcome" at its next meeting with farmers' unions on January 4 but refrained from predicting whether the seventh round of talks will be the last one, saying he is not an astrologer.
Protesting farmers greet 2021 with bonfires, folk songs and ''kheer''
Farmers camping at Delhi-Noida border in protest against the three central farm laws on Friday greeted the new year with bonfires, folk songs, ''kheer'' and health check-up for themselves.
"During the day, we had arranged for health check-up of our supporters and members, some of whom had complained of uneasiness and facing difficulties. Then there was a treat of ''kheer'' for all of us to mark the new year," the faction's spokesperson Shailesh Kumar Giri said.
Farmers camping at Delhi-Noida border in protest against the three central farm laws on Friday greeted the new year with bonfires, folk songs, ''kheer'' and health check-up for themselves.
Members of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti) have been staying put at the Chilla border and the Dalit Prerna Sthal respectively since the first week of December.
The two outfits with a considerable influence in Uttar Pradesh are not part of the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of 40 farmers unions which are leading the charge at Delhi's border points in Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, but have extended their support to the cause.
Scores of farmers affiliated to BKU (Lok Shakti) rang in the new year at the Dalit Prerna Sthal and had bonfires to brave the chilling cold of the night and early morning and regaled to the tunes of folk songs.
If January 4 meeting with govt fails to end deadlock, we will announce dates for shutting all malls, petrol pumps in Haryana: Farmer unions.
If talks with govt do not progress in right direction, farmers protesting on Haryana-Rajasthan border to move towards Delhi: Unions.
Only five per cent of issues raised by farmers have been discussed in meetings with govt so far, say agitating farmer unions.
Agitating farmer unions will have to take firm steps if govt does not take a decision in our favour by January 4: Farmer leaders.
We will hold tractor march on January 6 if no concrete decision is taken at Jan 4 meeting between govt, unions: Farmer leader Yudhveer Singh.
Over 850 academics sign open letter in support of farm laws
"The Union government has repeatedly assured the farmers that these three bills on farm trade wouldn''t do away with Minimum Support Price (MSP), but rather free the farm trade from all illicit market restrictions, open the market beyond ''mandis'' and further assists the small and marginal farmers to sell their produce at market/competitive prices," the letter signed by 866 persons said.
More than 850 faculty members of various educational institutions across the country have come forward with a signature campaign in support of three contentious farm laws, against which thousands of farmers are protesting on borders of the national capital for over a month.
In an open letter, these individuals have said they strongly believe in the government's assurance to farmers that their livelihood would be protected and the food would not be taken away from their plates.
They further said that the new laws would free farm trade from all restrictions and enable farmers to do all transactions at competitive prices.
Nagar kirtan, turban langar organised at Singhu border
Nagar kirtan (religious procession) was organised in the New Year morning on Friday at Singhu border where farmers have been protesting against the Centre''s new farm laws for over a month now.
Following the nagar kirtan, turban langar has been organised by Khalsa Youth Group. People were actively participating in the turban tying ceremony.
A volunteer of Khalsa Youth Group told ANI, "The objective of the ceremony is to make aware the youth about the spirits and principles of Sikhism. It is also a message of brotherhood and solidarity."
Nagar kirtan (religious procession) was organised in the New Year morning on Friday at Singhu border where farmers have been protesting against the Centre''s new farm laws for over a month now.
Following the nagar kirtan, turban langar has been organised by Khalsa Youth Group. People were actively participating in the turban tying ceremony.
A volunteer of Khalsa Youth Group told ANI, "The objective of the ceremony is to make aware the youth about the spirits and principles of Sikhism. It is also a message of brotherhood and solidarity."
MK Stalin Writes To E Palaniswami Seeking Special Tamil Nadu Assembly Session Against Farm LawsDravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin on Friday wrote a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami, seeking a special assembly session to bring resolution against Centre's farm laws.
Farmers' protest: NGO installing bio-toilets at Singhu border for women
With more women joining the farmers' protest at the Singhu border over the last few days, an NGO is installing bio-toilets made using recycled material to ensure that they don''t have to worry about the lack of basic amenities.
Days after farmers from different states set up camp at various border points of Delhi to protest the Centre's new agricultural reforms in late November last year, many women protesters were forced to head back home due to the unavailability of clean toilets and bathing spaces.
Read more here
Manohar Lal Khattar's MSP Promise After Poll Defeat: Will Quit Politics IfHaryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday promised to quit politics if he couldn't secure the minimum support price guarantee to farmers.
BJP's Lone Kerala MLA Backs Resolution Against Farm Laws, Then BacktracksKerala's lone BJP lawmaker, whose win marked the party's debut in the state four years ago, today stirred up a controversy with his contradicting remarks on a resolution against the centre'scontentious farm laws that was unanimously passed in the state assembly.
Farmers Protest: Haryana Police Use Water Cannon, Tear Gas As Farmers Break Through Barricades
The Haryana Police today used water cannon and tear gas as farmers on tractor-trailers broke through barricades at the Shahjahanpur border with Rajasthan, trying to push towards the national capital, reported news agency PTI. While farmers on around 25 tractor-trailers pushed past the Haryana Police barriers, others stayed behind on the Rajasthan side of the Shahjahanpur-Rewari border, police said. Farmers have been on a dharna at the site, blocking the road for several days in protest over the three new farm laws enacted at the Centre. Farmer leaders at the site made clear that the protesters who forced their way into Haryana did not have their consent.
The Haryana Police today used water cannon and tear gas as farmers on tractor-trailers broke through barricades at the Shahjahanpur border with Rajasthan, trying to push towards the national capital, reported news agency PTI. While farmers on around 25 tractor-trailers pushed past the Haryana Police barriers, others stayed behind on the Rajasthan side of the Shahjahanpur-Rewari border, police said. Farmers have been on a dharna at the site, blocking the road for several days in protest over the three new farm laws enacted at the Centre. Farmer leaders at the site made clear that the protesters who forced their way into Haryana did not have their consent.
Kerala assembly passes unanimous resolution against farm laws during special one-day sessionDuring discussion in Kerala Assembly, I opposed certain references made in the resolution against farm laws. But I do not object to the general consensus reached by the House against the farm laws: O. Rajagopal, BJP MLA, Kerala
- ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2020
O. Rajagopal stated that he abstained from voting. https://t.co/cwQy04TsDN pic.twitter.com/nc8aXWW0uV
Junior Minister V Muraleedharan on Kerala Assembly passing resolution against 3 farm laws
- Kerala Assembly is doing a futile exercise because the law has been passed by Parliament. It is like going against the general view of the whole country.
- If Kerala government is so particular that every farmer should sell his produce as per APMC act, Kerala should enact such a law. Centre has brought this law to give better remuneration to farmers.
Agitation will continue till the government takes back the three laws: Farmers leader
"The agitation will continue till the government takes back the three laws. Our main demand is repeal of the three laws and a legal provision on MSP. The government has offered to form a committee that will look into these demands. Now the matter will be presented before our committee that takes collective decisions. The committee will decide if the same will be accepted or not," said farmers' leader Shivakumar Sharma.
On Wednesday, the government and farm unions had reached some common ground to resolve protesting farmers' concerns over rise in power tariff and penalties for stubble burning.
After the sixth round of negotiations between three union ministers and a 41-member representative group of thousands of farmers protesting on Delhi borders, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had said at least 50 per cent resolution has been reached with mutual agreement on two out of four items on the agenda and discussions would continue on the remaining two on January 4.
Thousands of farmers stayed put at their protest venues near Delhi''s border on Thursday as their talks with the government remained deadlocked over the main contentious issues of the repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee for MSP.
Farmers' protest updates: Several Delhi border points remain closed
Security remained tight at the Delhi borders with hundreds of personnel deployed at Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri border points where the farmers have been camping. The protests have also led to traffic congestion forcing police to divert vehicular movement.
"Tikri, Dhansa Borders are closed for any Traffic Movement. Jhatikara Borders is open only for LMV (Cars/ Light Motor Vehicles), two wheelers and pedestrian movement," the Delhi Police tweeted.
"The Chilla and Ghazipur Borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida and Ghaziabad to Delhi because of farmer protests. Please take alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Apsara, Bhopra and Loni Borders.
"Singhu, Auchandi,Piau Maniyari, Saboli & Mangesh borders closed. Please take alternate route via Lampur Safiabad, Palla & Singhu school toll tax borders.Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. Please avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road & NH-44," they tweeted.
"Available Open Borders to Haryana are Jharoda (Only Single Carriageway/Road), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders," the Delhi Traffic Police said in a tweet.
Kerala Assembly passes resolution against the three farm laws brought by the Central Government. The resolution says, 'farmers' genuine concerns should be addressed and the Centre should withdraw all three farm laws.' pic.twitter.com/5fTbmobaAz
- ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2020
Kerala Chief Minister moves resolution against farm laws in State Assembly
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has moved a resolution against the farm laws in the special Session of State Assembly.
"The current situation makes it clear that if this agitation continues, it will seriously affect Kerala. There is no doubt that Kerala will starve if the supply of food items from other states stops," Mr Vijayan said.
BJP MLA O. Rajagopal opposed the resolution, citing that similar laws have been promised by CPM. "Similar farm laws were promised by Congress in their poll manifesto. CPI(M) also demanded to bring in such laws. Now,both parties are opposing it. Farmers shouldn't be misguided," he said.
Around 150 Madhya Pradesh Farmers Allegedly Cheated Of Rs 5 Crore CropIn a potentially embarrassing incident for the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, two traders allegedly cheated farmers of crop worth more than Rs 5 crore"
Singer Jazzy B to celebrate New Year with farmers at Singhu border
Punjabi Singer Jazzy B met farmers at Singhu border on Wednesday to express solidarity with them. "I am going to celebrate New Year here with the farmers. This is a great place to be here. I want to feel their energy. We will begin the new year with new resolutions," Jazzy B told news agency ANI.
As many Punjabi artists have shown their support to the farmers' protest, many have visited the protest site at Singhu border.
Farmers who attended the meet said the government has indicated that it would not repeal the laws, citing the long process required. The 41 farmers' groups attending the meet said they will respond after discussions.
Issues of stubble burning, safeguarding power subsidies sorted: Farmer leaders
Central ministers and farmer leaders have reached a consensus on stubble burning and safeguarding power subsidies during talks on Wednesday, a farmer leader said.
"Issues related to stubble burning and electricity were sorted in today's meeting. Two of our main issues still need to be resolved. We will discuss topics related to MSP and repealing of three Farm laws in the next meeting on January 4," Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), told media.
