Farmers' Protests Today: The protest has entered the eighth day.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today made an appeal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the protesting farmers to find an early resolution to the impasse over the new farm laws, saying the agitation is affecting Punjab's economy and the nation's security. Amarinder Singh after meeting Amit Shah at his residence said common ground must be found soon and the two sides should not take rigid positions on the matter.
"I came to meet the Home Minister to reiterate our position and to make a request to him and the farmers to resolve this soon because this (agitation) affects the economy of my Punjab as well as the security of the nation," the Congress leader told reporters after the meeting. He said he urged the home minister to find an early solution to the issue.
The meeting was held simultaneously with the interaction between the agitating farmer leaders and the government at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, sources said. The farmers have demanded a special session of parliament to repeal the laws, saying this is the "last chance" for the government.
The Punjab chief minister and his Congress party have been supporting the farmers' stir and the state Assembly had also passed a set of bills aimed at negating the Centre's farm legislation. The protesting farmers, a large number of whom are from Punjab, have been holding sit-ins on the borders of the national capital. They are demanding that the government withdraw the new farm laws if it wants them to end their stir.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protests:
Mamata Banerjee Threatens Nationwide Agitation If New Farm Laws Not Withdrawn
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday threatened to launch a country-wide agitation if the "anti-farmer" new farm laws were not withdrawn.
The Trinamool Congress chief lashed out at the BJP-led government at the Centre over the issue in a series of tweets.
"I am very much concerned about the farmers, their lives and livelihood. GOI must withdraw the anti-farmer bills. If they do not do so immediately, we will agitate throughout the state and the country. From the very start, we have been strongly opposing these anti-farmer bills," she tweeted.
Her statement came ahead of a crucial round of talks scheduled to be held between the Centre and representatives of the agitating farmers during the day.
Amarinder Singh passed similar farm laws 3 years ago: Sukhbir Badal
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, three years ago, passed the same farm laws in the state Assembly that the union government promulgated recently, said Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday.
Further attacking the Congress party, which has the government in Punjab, Mr Badal said that the party, in its 2019 general election manifesto, had promised to abolish government mandis.
PM Modi should address farmers' concerns: Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa
Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) chief and Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, on Thursday announced that he will be returning the Padma Bhushan conferred on him in 2019 in solidarity with protesting farmers said that he hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the concerns of protesting farmers.
"For the last two and a half months we have been hoping that the union government will agree to address the farmers'' concerns. The condition of the farmers who include women and elderly women who are protesting is not good," Mr Dhindsa told ANI.
"We are not hopeful that the union government will agree to the farmers'' demands but I still appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the farmers'' concerns," he added.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on farm laws- Centre was talking to farmers' unions with an open mind.
- We also talked about stubble burning ordinance. Farmers have been provided full security under the new law. But still people have doubts, and the Centre is ready to clear their doubts.
- They have doubts about MSP. But discussions are on, we will give assurance to farmers.
- Will talk to them day after (Saturday) at 2pm...might reach conclusion then
- The discussions were held in a good environment, they heard patiently.
- Government has no ego over this. It will be good if they call off the protests
- Farmers feared the new act will remove APMC
- Some points have been raised in previous meetings and today's meet. Farmer unions are mainly concerned about these.
- In the new act, farmers can take grievances to Sub divisional Magistrate court. Farmers' unions feel SDM court is a lower court and they should be allowed to go the court. govt will consider this
- Government will consider giving more legal rights to farmers. MSP will continue, we have assured farmers of MSP.
Farmers take out protest rally in KotaThousands of farmers from four districts of Kota division took out a protest march on Thursday to demand the withdrawal of the Centre's new farm laws.
The protestors under the aegis of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sangarsh Samanya Samiti assembled at Shahid Smark in the city in the noon and submitted a memorandum to the district collector.
The farmers, some of them riding in tractor-trolleys, marched through main roads of the city and raised slogans against the agri bills. A heavy police force was deployed in the area.
The farmers termed the laws anti-agriculture and demanded that the Union government immediately revoke it.
Aurangabad: Congress protests in support of agitating farmersThe Congress party held an agitation in Maharashtra's Aurangabad city on Thursday to
express solidarity with the farmers protesting on the borders of Delhi seeking withdrawal the new farm laws.
The Aurangabad unit of the Congress held the protest at the collector office here, during which the party workers and local functionaries raised slogans against the Modi government over the issue.
Congress's district unit president Kalyan Kale said, "We held the agitation against the anti-farmer and anti-labour laws brought by the Centre."
UP farmers demand farm commission as they threaten to intensify stirThe farmers from Uttar Pradesh protesting at the Delhi border points against the Centre''s new farm laws on Thursday threatened to intensify their stir and called for forming a commission to look into their grievances.
Expressing their full support to the protesting farmers of Punjab and Haryana, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu group) cautioned against moves to divide the farmers protest.
Talking to media on Wednesday, BKU UP chief Yogesh Pratap Singh and General Secretary Shailendra Pal Singh said apart from revocation of the new farm laws, the farmers have also been demanding forming a Farm Commission comprising agricultural scientists and farmers.
The BKU leaders said more farmers from surrounding districts are expected to join them in the coming days.
Congress leader asks Lok Sabha speaker to convene winter session to discuss farmers' protestsCongress Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury urged Speaker Om Birla to convene a short winter session of the House to discuss several issues including the farmers' agitation and preparation of COVID-19 vaccine.
In a letter, Mr Chowdhury, also the West Bengal Congress chief, said that the winter session of the House be convened with all the COVID-19 protocols in place to help the people understand the important issues the country is facing at present. "There are a number of very important issues that the nation is facing in present times. The most notable among them are the ongoing farmers' agitation and the status/preparation of the COVID-19 vaccine," the letter read.
Left organisations protest in Bengaluru, Jaipur in support of farmers
Multiple left organisations including Students' Federation of India and All India Democratic Women's Association staged a protest in Mysore Bank Circle of Bengaluru to support the protesting farmers.
"We are here to ask the government to listen to farmers. We are protesting in solidarity with them," said a protester.
In Jaipur, the Communist Party of India workers blocked the Delhi-Jaipur border to demonstrate protest in solidarity with the farmers agitating against the three laws passed by the Union government.
Akali's Parkash Badal Returns Padma Vibhushan Over "Betrayal Of Farmers"
Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal became the first to return his award in protest against the treatment of the protesting farmers by the Central government. The 92-year-old returned his Padma Vibhushan award -- the second highest civilian honour of the country -- that he received from the government in 2015.
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expresses concern over farmers', demands withdrawal of farm laws. In a series of tweets, Mamata Banerjee has said, "I am very much concerned about the farmers, their lives and livelihood. GOI must withdraw the anti-farmer bills. If they do not do so immediately, we will agitate throughout the state and the country. From the very start, we have been strongly opposing these anti-farmer bills."
Farmers Protest Latest News: Bhim Army Chief Meets Protesting Farmers At Singhu Border
Farmers Protest Updates: Amarinder Singh Urges Amit Shah To Resolve Farmer Row
The farmer protests in and around Delhi is not an issue which only affects the economy of Punjab but is also a "national security" issue, said Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh as he appealed to "both sides" to resolve the issue. "Discussion is going on between farmers & Centre, there's nothing for me to resolve. I reiterated my opposition in my meeting with Home Minister & requested him to resolve the issue as it affects the economy of my state & security of the nation," said Amarinder Singh following his meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah.
Read Here Farmers Protest Latest News: Amrinder Singh Requests Home Minister To Resolve The Issue
Discussion is going on between farmers and Centre, there's nothing for me to resolve. I reiterated my opposition in my meeting with Home Minister and requested him to resolve the issue as it affects the economy of my state and security of the nation, says Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
The government is constantly discussing issues with farmers. Today is the fourth round of talks and I'm hoping for a positive outcome: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar after meeting Home Minister Amit Shah.
Farmers Protest in Delhi Today: Centre Hopeful Of Positive Outcome In Talks With Farmers
Just hours ahead of talks with protesting farmers, Som Prakash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry on Thursday stated that farmers are coming for talks because there is hope for a solution that will be acceptable to both government and farmers and reiterated that the Centre is clear that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will stay and is willing to give it in writing as well. Speaking to ANI, the Minister said that the Centre is clear that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will stay and is willing to give it in writing as well. The Minister''s comments came after uncertainty expressed by a section of agitating farmers unions.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh arrives at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, reports news agency ANI.
Ahead of the talks between farmers and Centre, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweets, "Accepting anything less than the complete withdrawal of black farm laws would be a betrayal of India and its farmers."
We are talking to the farmers to end the blockade here as this is a major route to Delhi and we are hopeful that the roadway will be opened soon, said Abhishek Verma, SP City at Ghazipur border.
Farmer leaders arrive at Vigyan Bhawan for their meeting with the government over recently passed farm laws.
We are hopeful that the talks will be productive. If our demands are not met then the farmers will take part in the Republic Day parade held in Delhi: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikat at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.
Farmers Protest Updates: Slow Traffic Movement Seen On Road
Farmers' leaders depart from Singhu border for their meeting the government on farm laws.
Farmers Protest LIVE: Heavy Security Deployment Continues At Singhu Border
The Centre is trying to divide the farmers. We won't attend any meeting called by the Govt until PM Modi doesn't hold a meeting with leaders of all 507 farmers' unions: SS Subhran, Joint Secy, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, at Singhu border.
Farmers have gathered now on NH 24(Delhi-Meerut) Expressway and this has disrupted traffic coming from Ghaziabad side towards Delhi.
Farmers Protest: Round 2 Talks Today, Government Weighs Options As Farmers Refuse To Budge
The government will meet farmers' representatives today in the second round of talks in a week as protests against the contentious new farm laws are intensifying by the day. Agitating farmers on Wednesday said today's talks will be the "last chance" to call an emergency session of parliament and recall the controversial legislations.
Read Here A group of farmers performs 'havan' at Gazipur-Ghaziabad (Delhi-UP) border. A delegation of farmers will meet Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today.
Farmers are camped out at four busy border points of the national capital - Singhu, Noida, Ghazipur and Tikri - to press their demands, under heavy police deployment. Farmers protesting at the Delhi-Haryana border in Singhu, who have fever, will be given free Covid tests, the district magistrate of Haryana's Sonipat said.
Farmers say that despite government fixing MSP, they're getting a lower price for their crops in Jaipur's Kukar Khera Mandi.
A group of farmers from Rajasthan join the protest at Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border against Centre's farm laws.
Farmers Protest Latest News: Amit Shah, Punjab Chief Minister To Meet Today
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will meet Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today amid the escalating farmers protest around Delhi, spearheaded by farmers from Punjab and Haryana. The meeting will take place at 9.30 am, sources said, ahead of the crucial meeting with farmers' representatives.
Read Here Volunteers from a gurudwara in Ghaziabad distribute tea to protesting farmers at the Delhi-Ghazipur border.
Farmers Protest Latest News: Singhu Border Still Closed From Both Sides
Farmers Protest Updates: Delhi Border Near Chilla Closed For Traffic
Delhi Traffic Police informed that the chilla border on Noida link road is closed for traffic due to farmers' protests near Gautam Budh Dwar.
Farmers Protest Updates: "Last Chance For Centre...," Say Farmers Ahead Of Talks Today
Farmers protesting the new farm laws say today's talks - the fourth since protests began in September - is the centre's "last chance" to call an emergency session of Parliament and recall the controversial legislations. Speaking after two internal meets to chalk out their strategy, they also warned the centre against sowing discord in their ranks by recasting the protests as being driven by Punjab farmers only.
Read Here Farmers Protest LIVE: Farmers Nirankari Samagam Ground In Burari
Farmers at Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari, the government designated place for the protest.