4 years ago
New Delhi:
Punjab farmers today rejected Union home minister Amit Shah's proposal for a discussion on their grievances against the Centre's new farm laws. The farmers said the offer was a conditional one - the minister had said they should move their protest to a designation spot in the national capital if they agreed to talks.
They decided not to shift to the Burari ground in the national capital and stay put at the Delhi borders.
“We have decided that we will stay put at the Delhi borders. We will not go to Burari,” Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda) president Buta Singh Burjgill said.
The farmers' decision came after a meeting this morning, shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat, showed support for the farm laws, saying the "agricultural reforms" have "unshackled" the farmers and given them "new rights and opportunities".
Thousands of farmers continue to camp in and around Delhi as their protest against the centre's contentious agricultural laws enters the fourth day.
Here are the highlights of the farmers' protest march in Delhi:
Farmers Protest Live - "One Nation, Two Markets", Farmers Explain Why They Are Protesting
Refering to the government's "One nation one market" maxim, a leader said: "The ground reality is that in 1976, we held an agitation against zonal restrictions. We could not take wheat out of Punjab. For 40 days, 1,450 farmers were put in jail. In November 1976, the high court, in an order, said the government cannot stop farmers from selling their produce anywhere in the country. In 1977, the Janata Party government declared that the whole country will be a single zone."
Angry farmers questioned today why the BJP-led central government had to bring in the three new farm laws, described by the government as agricultural reforms that meet their long-standing demands. The government is only interested in the welfare of the corporates, said the representatives of farmers groups amid the three-month agitation that has led to the Delhi Chalo protest.
"The government is saying much about the efficacy of the laws. We had a meeting on the 13th and we asked them which farmer asked for these laws," said one of the farm leaders at a press conference this evening.
Farmers' Protest Live: If Amit Shah can address public 1,200 km away, why can't he meet farmers? asks Congress
The Congress party on Sunday asked why Union Home Minister Amit Shah could address the public 1,200 km away in Hyderabad but not meet protesting farmers 15 km away.
"The farmers are sitting on the streets in the cold winter, but the Home Minister says that he will not have a conversation before they come to Burari. If you can travel 1,200 km to address a public meeting in Hyderabad, then why not talk to the farmers on the 15 km distant Shambhu border," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told ANI.
Mr Shah visited Hyderabad on Sunday to campaign for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections. The Centre has invited the protesting farmers for a talk on December 3.
The Congress party on Sunday asked why Union Home Minister Amit Shah could address the public 1,200 km away in Hyderabad but not meet protesting farmers 15 km away.
"The farmers are sitting on the streets in the cold winter, but the Home Minister says that he will not have a conversation before they come to Burari. If you can travel 1,200 km to address a public meeting in Hyderabad, then why not talk to the farmers on the 15 km distant Shambhu border," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told ANI.
Mr Shah visited Hyderabad on Sunday to campaign for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections. The Centre has invited the protesting farmers for a talk on December 3.
Farmers' Protest Live: Farmers' unions should create atmosphere for talks by leaving agitation, says agriculture minister
After the protesting farmers rejected Central government's proposal for dialogue on December 3, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday said the Centre is ready to hold talks but farmers' unions should create an atmosphere for the same by leaving the route of agitation.
"The government has proposed to meet on December 3 for the fourth time. So, talks are already going on, nobody should think the government isn't ready for it. The government is open for talks, but farmers' unions should create an atmosphere for it. They should leave the route of agitation and choose a way of talks," said Mr Tomar while talking to ANI.
Talking about farmers' demands, the minister said the laws were amended to bring in reform in the life of farmers and are ''definitely'' in their favour.
After the protesting farmers rejected Central government's proposal for dialogue on December 3, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday said the Centre is ready to hold talks but farmers' unions should create an atmosphere for the same by leaving the route of agitation.
"The government has proposed to meet on December 3 for the fourth time. So, talks are already going on, nobody should think the government isn't ready for it. The government is open for talks, but farmers' unions should create an atmosphere for it. They should leave the route of agitation and choose a way of talks," said Mr Tomar while talking to ANI.
Talking about farmers' demands, the minister said the laws were amended to bring in reform in the life of farmers and are ''definitely'' in their favour.
Farmers' agitation seems to have been hijacked by ''anti-national'' forces, says BJP leader
The BJP is ready to talk to farmers to address their apprehensions about the new farm laws, but their agitation seems to have been "hijacked by anti-national" forces, the party's Uttarakhand unit said on Sunday.
The BJP also said that Congress and other parties have "misled" farmers on the agriculture sector-related laws.
"Pro-Pakistan and pro-Khalistan slogans are being shouted in the agitation which seems to have been hijacked," BJP general secretary in-charge of party affairs in Uttarakhand Dushyant Kumar Gautam alleged at a press conference.
"Farmers have nothing to do with it. It has been hijacked by terrorists and anti-national forces. People coming in swanky cars and in bright clothes cannot be farmers," he said.
Amarinder Singh vs ML Khattar - Punjab, Haryana Chief Ministers' New Row: Who Called Whom, When And WhereThe squabble between the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana over the farmer protests found a new field on Sunday with Captain Amarinder Singh and Manohar Lal Khattar shifting the fight to the question of who called whom, when and where." itemprop="description
Farmers Protest Updates: Haryana Chief Minister slams Punjab counterpart over "lack of coordination" on farmers protest
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday hit back at his Punjab counterpart Captain Amarinder Singh over "lack of coordination" on farmers protest.
"If any dangerous situation arises due to coronavirus, the Punjab government will be responsible for it. I tried to speak to Amarinder Singh on this matter but he denied receiving any call. Later when I showed the proof, he was left speechless," Mr Khattar said.
"A Chief Minister of one state doesn't use cuss words against a CM of another state. I am not going to comment on this, people are already expressing their views on social media and elsewhere. Provacating protest is a pre-planned strategy of Congress party and Punjab government," the Haryana Chief Minister said.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday hit back at his Punjab counterpart Captain Amarinder Singh over "lack of coordination" on farmers protest.
"If any dangerous situation arises due to coronavirus, the Punjab government will be responsible for it. I tried to speak to Amarinder Singh on this matter but he denied receiving any call. Later when I showed the proof, he was left speechless," Mr Khattar said.
"A Chief Minister of one state doesn't use cuss words against a CM of another state. I am not going to comment on this, people are already expressing their views on social media and elsewhere. Provacating protest is a pre-planned strategy of Congress party and Punjab government," the Haryana Chief Minister said.
Farmers Protest Live: Amarinder Singh Slams Haryana Chief Minister
"If he (Haryana Chief Minister) was so concerned about farmers spreading COVID-19 in Haryana whose track record in the pandemic remains extremely poor, he should not have stopped them within the State, but should have allowed them to move quickly to Delhi," said Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh
"If he (Haryana Chief Minister) was so concerned about farmers spreading COVID-19 in Haryana whose track record in the pandemic remains extremely poor, he should not have stopped them within the State, but should have allowed them to move quickly to Delhi," said Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh
Farmers Protest Live: Centre should hold talks with farmers unconditionally, says Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked the Centre to immediately and unconditionally hold talks with the farmers who continued to protest against the new agri laws for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday, staying put at the Singhu and Tikri border points of the national capital.
The Aam Aadmi Party has supported the farmer's protest and its national convenor Kejriwal asked the Centre to immediately meet the farmers.
"The central government should talk to farmers immediately (and) unconditionally," he said in a tweet.
At a press conference on Sunday, senior AAP leader and chief spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said his party believes that Home Minister Amit Shah has shown "utter irresponsibility" by leaving Delhi to campaign for Hyderabad municipal elections when lakhs of farmers were waiting at the Delhi border to talk to him.
Delhi Chalo March Farmers Protest Live: Bhupinder Singh Hooda slams Haryana Chief Minister for remarks on farmers' protest
Dismissing Mr Khattar's claim, Mr Hooda said the farmers of Haryana have been agitating against the three agricultural laws for many months and he has repeatedly urged the government to withdraw these laws or bring in a new law to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) for farmers.
Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday slammed Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for his remarks that the state's farmers have not participated in the stir against the new agri laws and warned that if farmers' problems are not resolved, a "bigger movement" will be undertaken.
Mr Khattar on Saturday alleged that some political parties and organisations are "sponsoring" the farmers' protest against the Centre's new farm laws and claimed that Haryana farmers have not participated in the stir.
Farmers Protest Live: Opposition parties, middlemen misleading protesting farmers, says Junior Minister
Asserting that farmers are being instigated by certain political parties and middlemen, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Sunday said there are no protests by farmers against the farm laws in any part of the country except Punjab.
"There are no protests by farmers in any part of the country except Punjab. The farm laws are for the welfare of the farmers. The farmers protesting in Delhi are unaware of this or they are being purposefully instigated by certain political parties," Mr Muraleedharan told reporters.
Claiming that the farm laws have guaranteed protection to farmers from middlemen, Mr Muraleedharan said that these middlemen are now angry and misleading people.
Asserting that farmers are being instigated by certain political parties and middlemen, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Sunday said there are no protests by farmers against the farm laws in any part of the country except Punjab.
"There are no protests by farmers in any part of the country except Punjab. The farm laws are for the welfare of the farmers. The farmers protesting in Delhi are unaware of this or they are being purposefully instigated by certain political parties," Mr Muraleedharan told reporters.
Claiming that the farm laws have guaranteed protection to farmers from middlemen, Mr Muraleedharan said that these middlemen are now angry and misleading people.
Farmers' protest: PM praising farm laws shows government ''rigid'' in face of protests, says Congress
"Those who are still defending the black farm laws, what solution will they find in favour of farmers?" he said in a tweet in Hindi, adding that, "Ab hogi (now there will be) #KisaanKiBaat".
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reiterating that the new agri-laws are beneficial for farmers, the Congress on Sunday said the insistence in support of the legislations shows that the government is "drunk with power" and is rigid even in reconsidering the laws.
The Opposition party also demanded that Prime Minister Modi should immediately announce the suspension of the three "anti-agriculture" laws.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the government over the protest by farmers, alleging "promise was to double farmers' income, the Modi government did double income, but that of Adani-Ambani".
Farmers Protest Live: Farmers should leave agitation and choose talks, say Agriculture Minister
"Government has proposed to meet on December 3 for fourth time. So, talks are already going on, nobody should think government isn't ready for it. Government is open for talks, farmers' unions should create atmosphere for it. They should leave agitation and choose talks," said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar
"Government has proposed to meet on December 3 for fourth time. So, talks are already going on, nobody should think government isn't ready for it. Government is open for talks, farmers' unions should create atmosphere for it. They should leave agitation and choose talks," said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar
Farmers Protest: Won't allow any political party leader to speak on our stage, say farmers
"We have decided that we won't allow any political party leader to speak on our stage, be it Congress, BJP, AAP or other parties. Our Committee will allow other organisations, who are supporting us, to speak if they follow our rules," said Surjeet S Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab).
"We have decided that we won't allow any political party leader to speak on our stage, be it Congress, BJP, AAP or other parties. Our Committee will allow other organisations, who are supporting us, to speak if they follow our rules," said Surjeet S Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab).
Farmers Protest Live: Will go home if Centre accepts our demands, say farmers
"We were told there will be a meeting on Monday without any conditions but we received a letter with conditions. If they accept our demands, we will go back home," said farmers.
"We were told there will be a meeting on Monday without any conditions but we received a letter with conditions. If they accept our demands, we will go back home," said farmers.
Farmers Protest Live: MSP will stay till the old system is in place, say farmers
"They are saying MSP will stay. But, it will only stay until the old system is in place. If the old system makes way for the new one, it will fall in the hands of corporate and they will try to buy produce in their own prices. The price will fall and the economy of the state will crash due to this," said farmers.
"They are saying MSP will stay. But, it will only stay until the old system is in place. If the old system makes way for the new one, it will fall in the hands of corporate and they will try to buy produce in their own prices. The price will fall and the economy of the state will crash due to this," said farmers.
Delhi Protest Site An Open Jail, Won't Go There, Say Farmers
"The condition put forward for talks is an insult to farmers. We will never go to Burari ground . It is not a ground but an open jail," said Surjeet Singh Phul, State President of BKU Krantikari (Punjab) on ,Union Home Minister Amit Shah's offer to hold talks before December 3.
"The condition put forward for talks is an insult to farmers. We will never go to Burari ground . It is not a ground but an open jail," said Surjeet Singh Phul, State President of BKU Krantikari (Punjab) on ,Union Home Minister Amit Shah's offer to hold talks before December 3.
Farmers Protest: We want penalty on stubble burning to be scrapped, say farmers
"Government is imposing a penalty of Rs 1 crore and jail term for stubble burning. We don't agree to this. They should scrap it. The Supreme Court had done a survey that Indian farmers only cause 4-5 per cent pollution. This was a way to penalise and punish farmers," said farmers.
"Government is imposing a penalty of Rs 1 crore and jail term for stubble burning. We don't agree to this. They should scrap it. The Supreme Court had done a survey that Indian farmers only cause 4-5 per cent pollution. This was a way to penalise and punish farmers," said farmers.
Farmers' Protest Live: We want new farm bills scrapped, say farmers
"The three new laws are anti-farmers. We want them scrapped. These laws are anti-farmer and pro corporate, so we want them removed," said farmers.
"The three new laws are anti-farmers. We want them scrapped. These laws are anti-farmer and pro corporate, so we want them removed," said farmers.
Farmers Protest Live: The Centre's offer was conditional, say farmers
"The Centre put conditions on their offer, which is wrong. They should have been generous with their offer. The government is at one hand saying that farmers are coming in the cold and on the other hand handing out conditional letters. We would not have been so aggressive had the government welcomed us at the border and sat with us for talks," said farmers in a press conference.
"The Centre put conditions on their offer, which is wrong. They should have been generous with their offer. The government is at one hand saying that farmers are coming in the cold and on the other hand handing out conditional letters. We would not have been so aggressive had the government welcomed us at the border and sat with us for talks," said farmers in a press conference.
Farmers Protest Live: UP opposition parties flay Centre, ask it to reconsider three farm laws
With farmers of at least three states laying siege on Delhi borders in protest against the three central farm laws, the Uttar Pradesh opposition parties on Sunday hit out at the Centre, asking it to reconsider these laws.
"The farmers of the country are angry and agitated over the three farm laws enacted recently by the Centre. It would be better if the Centre reconsiders these laws enacted without forging any consensus with farmers," said Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati in a tweet in Hindi on Sunday.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav too flayed the Centre, accusing it of seeking to mortgage the country to the rich.
Farmers Protest Updates: Centre should let go of their stubbornness, says former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder S Hooda
"The centre should let go of their stubbornness by inviting farmers for negotiations. The way Haryana govt tried to stop farmers, it has hurt their sentiments. The demands of the farmers are justified and I support them. I urge the centre to find solution," said former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder S Hooda.
"The centre should let go of their stubbornness by inviting farmers for negotiations. The way Haryana govt tried to stop farmers, it has hurt their sentiments. The demands of the farmers are justified and I support them. I urge the centre to find solution," said former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder S Hooda.
Farmers' March In Delhi Live Updates: Road Blocks Leave Delhi-Haryana Travellers Frustrated
For instance, at West Delhi's Tikri border with Haryana, farmers have blockaded the Delhi-Bahadurgarh highway for the third straight day, refusing to move to the designated ground in North Delhi's Burari area offered by the Delhi administration.
For those travelling between Delhi and Haryana on this route, this block has brought life to a standstill. One of these days, several families, including women and children, were seen walking and dragging their luggage to cross the border.
The ongoing farmers' agitation, with its increasing focus on the national capital, has made travelling by road between Delhi and its neighbouring states hellish. Protesters, paranoid security personnel, and choc-a-bloc traffic have together turned the crossing of border into a huge task for regular travellers.
For those travelling between Delhi and Haryana on this route, this block has brought life to a standstill. One of these days, several families, including women and children, were seen walking and dragging their luggage to cross the border.
Farmers Protest Updates: Centre treating protesting farmers like ''terrorists'', says Sena's Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday said farmers protesting against the Centre's new agri laws are being treated as if they are "terrorists", and it is sad that they are not being allowed to enter Delhi.
The government should consider the farmers' demands sympathetically, Mr Raut told reporters.
Thousands of farmers, protesting against three agriculture laws enacted by the Centre, have gathered at border points of the national capital as part of their ''Delhi Chalo'' march.
"It is sad they are not being allowed to come to Delhi and are being treated as if they are terrorists and have come from outside the country. The government should consider the demands of farmers sympathetically," Mr Raut said.
Farmers' Protest Live: Agitating farmers decide to stay put at Delhi borders
"We have decided that we will stay put at the Delhi borders. We will not go to Burari," Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda) president Buta Singh Burjgill said over the phone.
Farmers protesting against the Centre's three farm laws on Sunday decided not to shift to the Burari ground in the national capital and stay put at the Delhi borders.
Thousands of farmers continued to protest at the Singhu and Tikri borders on the fourth consecutive day on Sunday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had on Saturday appealed to the farmers to shift to the Sant Nirankari ground in Burari that was offered to them for peaceful protests and said the Centre was ready to hold discussions with them as soon as they move to the designated place.
Delhi: Farmers continue their protest against the farm laws, at Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari, the govt designated place for the protest.
- ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2020
"Our leaders are holding a meeting. We will follow whatever they decide," says an agitating farmer. pic.twitter.com/J6AbZyVr4m
Delhi Chalo March Farmers Protest: Farm laws must be taken back, says Bhartiya kisan Union president
Harmeet Singh, President Bhartiya kisan Union, said that protesting farmers will not move back till the law is repealed. "Farmers will not move to the protest site. They will hold talk with government whenever the government calls them. The union leader will take a call on what our next move will be, for now we continue with the blockade, Everyday meetings to be conducted to plan next move," he said.
Farmers March in Delhi LIVE Updates: Farmers Break Barricades At Delhi-Haryana Border
A group of farmers protesting against the central new agricultural laws today broke barricades at the Delhi Haryana border near Narela in Delhi. The barricades were placed to slow the farmers' "Dilli Chalo" march which has been on for the past few days.
The protesters, who have braved tear gas, water cannons and lathi-charge during their agitation, have said they have enough essentials to continue their protests for up to six months.
Watch | Punjab #farmers have rejected Union Home Minister Amit Shah's proposal for a discussion on their grievances. The decision came after a high-stakes meeting this morning of union leaders
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 29, 2020
Read more: https://t.co/WU2gPToV5O#FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/7MGHU0Q2C8
Just In: Farmers, protesting in and around Delhi, reject centre's offer after Amit Shah said "ready to deliberate on every demand"
A 55-year-old man from Punjab, who had gone to Delhi border to express solidarity with the agitating farmers, was burnt alive after the car in which he was sleeping caught fire on Saturday night near the Delhi-Haryana border.
Janak Raj, who was a tractor repairman, had gone to Delhi to voluntarily repair tractor that were being used by farmers camping near Delhi, to protest against the centre's agricultural laws that were passed recently.
After finishing his work late at night near Bahadurgarh (Delhi-Haryana border), Janak Raj went to sleep in the car; the vehicle caught fire and he was burnt alive, officials said. (read full story here)
Punjabi youngsters clean road at Delhi Border
- Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 29, 2020
"We don't want people of Haryana and Delhi to say that Punjabis came and made a mess here".pic.twitter.com/i8Obgz1In2
Security officials check IDs of passengers at Tikri border. Large number of trucks and private vehicles are taking this route to enter Delhi.
"New Laws Gave Farmers More Opportunities": PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann ki Baat programme today, spoke of the advantages of the Centre's new farm laws as thousands of farmers, protesting against the laws, camped in and around Delhi.
"The agricultural reforms in the past few days have also now opened new doors of possibilities for our farmers. The demands that have been made by farmers for years, that every political party, at some point or the other made the promise to fulfill, those demands have been met. After a lot of deliberation, the Parliament of India gave a legal formto the agricultural reforms. These reforms have not only served to unshackle our farmers but also given them new rights and opportunities. In just a short span of time, these new rights have begun to ameliorate the woes of our farmers," PM Modi said.
Women and children compelled to walk and drag all the luggage as they try to cross Tikri border amid massive protest. On a usual day they could have simply taken a bus.
#TheBigFight | "Agriculture is a state subject, not for the centre": P Sainath, Founder-Editor, P.A.R.I.#FarmersProtest #NDTVExclusive pic.twitter.com/BL0JwyMEVa
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 27, 2020
On Saturday, Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to protesters and assured them that the government was ready to "deliberate on every problem and demand of the farmers".
Mr Shah said the centre will hold talks with the agitating farmers' unions on December 3 and if they want to hold discussions before that, they will have to shift their protests at a government-designated venue.
The farmers, however, said the government should come forward with an "open heart" and not with a "condition".
Thousands of farmers continue to camp in and around Delhi as their protest against the centre's contentious agricultural laws enters the fourth day.
