The farmers have called for a "peaceful" nationwide shutdown on Tuesday, a day ahead of the sixth round of talks with the government for repeal of contentious farm laws. Amid growing support from unions and Opposition parties for tomorrow's "Bharat Bandh" call, some services could get affected in Delhi - now the epicentre of farmers' protests - and the rest of the country.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the Singhu border today, where thousands of farmers are protesting against the Centre's new farm laws, and checked arrangements made for them by the city government. The Aam Aadmi leader is the first chief minister of a state to visit a protest venue.
Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar today said that the three farm laws are aimed at providing better price to farmers for their produce and it would bring prosperity and employment to the villages that have evaded poor farmers even after 70 years of independence.
The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory for commuters as multiple borders between Delhi and neighbouring states remained closed for traffic.
Peaceful protests are underway at both the Singhu and Tikri borders, where farmers had gathered from Punjab and Haryana for more than 10 days. The numbers of farmers at the Ghazipur border swelled, with more joining them from Uttar Pradesh.
The new laws, aimed at doing away with middlemen and allowing farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country, have deeply upset the farmers. The farmers say it will only result in phasing out of the traditional mandis and the guaranteed minimum price paid by the government, leaving them at the mercy of the corporates.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protests:
No award has been returned earlier and none are going to be. These are only for a day's advertisement. I want to ask those returning awards about what is against farmers in the farm laws. Have they read the laws?: MoS (Home) G Kishan Reddy pic.twitter.com/513ftlbiZR
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
Delhi: A delegation of 20 farmers mainly from Haryana met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today to lend support to the farm laws. pic.twitter.com/SiFAoqhDUF
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
Noted Punjabi poet Surjit Patar announced that he will return his Padma Shri award in support of farmers who are protesting against the Centre's farm laws.
Strict action will be taken against anyone trying to force shops and other establishments to down shutters during Tuesday's ''Bharat Bandh'' called by various outfits and political parties against the centre's new farm laws, Mumbai police officials said.
Opposition parties are doing petty politics in the name of farmers, it's condemnable. Public & farmers should understand that there is no harm in implementing the laws that have been enacted for the progress of farmers. PM has assured that MSP will continue: Haryana CM ML Khattar pic.twitter.com/AXj62z3IyO
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
Delhi: Make-shift medical camp continues to operate at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana) where the farmers' protest has entered Day 12 today.
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
"We have attended 400 farmers with ailments. They have been provided with required treatment," says a volunteer. pic.twitter.com/9xTySuzxkk
Patrolling will be done in the city so that no untoward incident takes place. We appeal to the people to maintain peace: DCP S Chaitanya, Mumbai Police PRO on '#BharatBandh' call by farmers pic.twitter.com/BJAILwHGoG
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says some political parties are trying to spoil atmosphere, the current stand taken by some parties on Agricultural produce market committee (APMC) act shows their double standards.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday appealed to the central government to take a decision soon to address the issues of farmers.
"We would like to extend our support to the farmers who are great support to the economy. Entire country would like to support them. We would like to thank leaders from various parts of the world who've expressed solidarity with our farmers," said Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar on farmers' protest.
Opposition parties except for Trinamool Congress (TMC) have lent their support to ''Bharat Bandh'' on December 8 called by farmers' unions in protest against the new farm laws introduced by the central government.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that his party will hold demonstrations in all states on Tuesday.
"Congress has supported the voice of farmers and will support Bharat Bandh on December 8 in every district and state. All parties and even NDA allies are concerned. Our district and state units will hold demonstrations," Mr Khera told ANI.
"Opposition parties have jumped into the issue of new farm laws. During UPA rule, they did exactly what the Modi government is doing today for reforms in the farm sector. Now that they're losing polls, they take part in any protest for the sake of their existence," said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Delhi: Congress MPs from Punjab protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding winter session of Parliament to discuss farmers issue.
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
"Session should be called, anti-farmer laws should be reconsidered & withdrawn. Govt is avoiding the session. It's against democracy," MP Manish Tewari says pic.twitter.com/VhlG3DqP5I
With the ongoing farmers' agitation at various places Delhi Traffic Police on Monday announced that the Chilla border on Noida link road was closed for traffic from Noida to Delhi and advised people to use Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) flyway.
The farmers' protest against the new farm laws entered 12th day on Monday,
"The chilla border on Noida link road is closed for traffic from Noida to Delhi due to farmers protests near Gautam Budh Dwar. People are advised to avoid Noida link road for coming to Delhi and use DND," the police tweeted.
Two-time Olympic medalist, Sushil Kumar on Monday said that the entire nation is standing tall with the protesting farmers and their demands need to be heard by the Central Government.
"The government should make good decisions and make the farmers happy, the whole country runs on the work done by farmers, the issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. The farmers have been protesting for a long time now, so the issue needs a solution quickly," Sushil Kumar told ANI.
Some sportspersons of Punjab and Haryana have been returning their awards (Padma, Dronacharya, and Arjuna award) in order to show solidarity with the farmers.
Speaking about returning the awards, he said: "One thing I would say that for 3 months farmers protested there so this issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible and the issue should not escalate further. The entire nation is standing tall with the farmers."
The Uttar Pradesh administration today nipped the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party's (SP) plan for a "Kisan Yatra" in Kannauj district, backing farmers protesting against the Centre's new agricultural laws. Besides denying permission to the demonstration, the police detained several leaders and barricaded a road leading to the party President's Lucknow residence." itemprop="description
With farmers' protest against the Centre's farm laws continuing near Delhi, the Shiv Sena on Monday said if the Union government repeals the agri-marketing laws, it will show its "large-heartedness".
An editorial in Shiv Sena mouthpiece ''Saamana'' blamed the central government for the "deteriorating" situation, and said farmers have the right to protest.
"They are protesting near Delhi with that right. The government, too, has no reason to feel low about withdrawing the farm laws, which they (farmers) find tyrannical. Rather it (withdrawing the laws) will be large-heartedness," it said.
Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, are protesting at various border points of Delhi against the new farm laws.
Expressing solidarity with the ongoing farmers' protest against the new agriculture laws, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat said they just want respect for their hard work.
Taking to Twitter on Sunday, the Khel Ratna awardee while referring to farmers wrote, "Tired of speaking, now I just want a solution. I do not want anyone else''s rights but just want respect for my hard work #Farmersprotest..."
Earlier in the day, Yograj Singh, the father of cricketer Yuvraj Singh, urged the Central Government to listen to the demands of the farmers and he also backed all sportsperson who are returning their awards in order to show support with the protesting farmers.
Delhi: Congress MPs from Punjab protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding winter session of Parliament to discuss farmers issue.
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
"Session should be called, anti-farmer laws should be reconsidered & withdrawn. Govt is avoiding the session. It's against democracy," MP Manish Tewari says pic.twitter.com/VhlG3DqP5I
Yograj Singh, the father of cricketer Yuvraj Singh, on Monday, urged the Central Government to listen to the demands of the farmers and he also backed all sportsperson who are returning their awards in order to show support with the protesting farmers.
"Farmers are demanding the right thing, the government should listen to them. It is really high time that the government should come up with solutions in this regard and I back all those sportspersons who are returning their prestigious award," Mr Yograj told ANI.
"Sportspersons returning award does not mean that they are defaming the award, it is their way to show their solidarity with the protesting farmers. Awards are earned by hard work of many years, it is not easy to get so if they are returning it, I back them. I am also with farmers, they are demanding the right thing," he added.
The chilla border on Noida link road is closed for traffic from Noida to Delhi due to farmers protests near Gautam Budh Dwar. People are advised to avoid Noida link road for coming to Delhi and use DND: Delhi Traffic Police https://t.co/ZfkkLM0Kv5
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 7, 2020
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal reaches Guru Teg Bahadur Memorial near Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border); meets protesting farmers, inspects arrangements made for them. pic.twitter.com/X07jFWh7yO
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
Farmers continue to protest at Tikri (Delhi-Haryana border), as their agitation against #FarmLaws enters 12th day.
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
Farmer unions have called a Bharat Bandh on Dec 8th, demanding the roll back of the 3 laws.
6th round of talks between farmer unions & Cente scheduled on Dec 9th. pic.twitter.com/vxAkuTIE7Y
As the ongoing farmers' agitation at Burari, Singhu and Tikri borders entered day 12, the Delhi Traffic Police on Monday issued an advisory for commuters as multiple borders between Delhi and neighbouring states remained closed for traffic.
The Delhi Traffic Police today issued a traffic alert closing the National Highway (NH) 44 on both sides in the national capital region.
Commuters have been asked to take alternate routes via Lampur, Safiabad, Saboli borders and avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK road and NH-44.
Farmers' protest against the farm laws enters Day 12 at Singhu border (Haryana-Delhi border); heavy police force deployed. pic.twitter.com/q7sAsUglcC
- ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2020
Traffic Alert
- Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) December 7, 2020
Tikri, Jharoda Borders are closed for any Traffic Movement.
Badusarai Border is open only for Light Motor Vehicle like Cars and two wheelers.Jhatikara Border is open only for two wheeler traffic