4 years ago
New Delhi:
Farmers have announced a day-long relay hunger strike today at all protest sites to press for the repeal of the new farm laws that were passed by the government early this year.
The announcement comes even as the government asked protesting farmer unions to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the new agri laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.
In a letter to 40 union leaders, Union Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Vivek Aggarwal said the Centre is making all efforts with "an open heart" to find an appropriate solution to resolve all the concerns raised by farmers.
Previous five rounds of talks between the government and the unions have failed to break the deadlock with the farmers insisting on repeal of the three laws and camping at various border points of Delhi for over three weeks now.
Here are the Live Updates on farmer protests:
Centre's farm laws will strengthen rural economy: UP Chief Minister
It will also generate employment opportunities in large number for rural youths, he added.
"The government is committed to protecting farmers'' interest opting for contract farming," he added.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday asserted that the three farm laws passed by the Centre are in the interest of the farmers.
"The three farm laws passed by the Centre are in the interest of farmers. Apart from increasing the income of the farmers, they will also strengthen the rural economy," Yogi Adityanath said addressing a programme in Mau district.
The chief minister said it is completely misleading to say that the MSP will end after the implementation of the law.
"The Prime Minister has already assured farmers that the MSP will not end, and the mandi committees will also continue to function," he said.
The chief minister said it is completely false and misleading that farmers'' land will be grabbed under the provisions of these laws.
Centre neglected our interests: Farmers
Farmer leader Balvinder Singh from Kota said they feed crores of people but their interests have been neglected by the Centre.
Farmers protesting against agriculture laws on Jaipur-Delhi highway in Alwar's Shahjahapur on Monday accused the Centre of not looking into their demands despite a threat to their livelihood.
The livelihood of farmers is at stake but the government is paying no heed to their demands, they told reporters.
Sanyukt Kisan Morcha appeals to Bihar farmers to join agitation against farm laws
"Due to non implementation of MSP, the farmers and workers in Bihar have been completely devastated. A movement is currently underway for implementation of MSP in Bihar and the entire country. The farmers and workers in Bihar should actively join it," Mr Chaduni said in the statement.
Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, a joint forum of farmers' organisations, protesting at the Delhi borders against the Centre's farm laws on Monday appealed to the farmers in Bihar to join the agitation to get the benefit of minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.
At a press conference, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said the three farm laws were brought to benefit the capitalists and reiterated the demand to withdraw them and provide legal guarantee for MSP of 23 crops.
The "maximum impact" of disintegration of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) has been seen in Bihar. The farmers in Bihar have been forced to the verge of misery and to seek employment in other states since they do not get the MSP for their crops, a statement said.
Centre trying to defame farmers: Sukhbir Badal
"We have always fought for the rights of farmers and the downtrodden. We are also assisting the farmer agitation but are pained that the Union government is unmoved by the suffering of farmers," said Mr Badal.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday accused the Centre of the bid to "defame" agitating farmers by raising the "bogey of talks" to create an impression that it is reasonable and farmers are wrong, according to a statement.
After paying obeisance at Gurudwara Katalgarh Sahib on the occasion of Shaheedi Jor Mela, Mr Badal said, "The Centre is trying to tire out farmers by starting talks from the very beginning again. This is a futile exercise when the farmer organisations have already rejected the three agriculture laws and want them repealed."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi should call an emergency Parliament session and repeal these acts, said the SAD chief, adding that in democracy people have the final say.
"People have made Narendra Modi the prime minister and it is his duty to listen to the voice of people, said Mr Badal, whose party earlier pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance over the farm laws.
He said instead of doing this, the Centre first "linked the agitation to religion and separatists and now pitting brother against brother".
Ghaziabad: Farmers begin hunger strike against farm laws
On Monday, a group of 10 farmers initiated a hunger strike against the farm laws. They will be replaced by another group on Tuesday.
Farmer protesting against the Centre's agriculture laws on Monday started a hunger strike and briefly blocked the Delhi-Ghaziabad road.
Superintendent of Police (City-II) Gyanendra Singh said farmers were persuaded to lift the blockade after which the National Highway-9 was opened to traffic.
Farmers' protest: Centre has crossed all limits of ''insensitivity'', says Kumari Selja
"The BJP government wants to snatch the rights of the farmers and hand over the agricultural economy to big capitalists. The intention and policy of the government is to exploit the country''s economy for the benefit of a few industrial houses," she claimed.
Haryana Congress chief Kumari Selja on Monday attacked the Centre, saying farmers have been protesting against agriculture laws for weeks but their plight has failed to move it.
Ms Selja claimed that over 30 protesting farmers have died but all this did not have any effect on the BJP government, which has "crossed all limits of insensitivity".
"The attitude of the BJP government reminds us of the oppression launched by the British against people of the country," she said in a statement.
"More than 30 farmers have so far lost their lives for which the BJP government is directly responsible. The ruthless BJP government is dogged by its arrogance," the former Union Minister claimed.
"This cruel face of the BJP government will always be remembered in the history of the country," she said.
Farmers' bodies have claimed that over 30 protesting farmers have died of different reasons, including heart attack and in road accidents.
Ms Selja said amid the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers have been forced to leave their homes, families and sit on the borders of the national capital.
Need law to punish those buying crops below MSP: BKU (Lok Shakti)
With the two groups of BKU factions holding protests at the Noida-Delhi Link Road, the traffic movement on this key road has remained obstructed.
A Bharatiya Kisan Union faction on Monday demanded a new law for punishing those who buy farmers' crops at rates below the minimum support price.
The BKU (Lok Shakti) raised the new demand over and above the farmers' existing demand to repeal the three recent farm laws of the Centre.
The BKU (Lok Shakti) activists are presently camping at the Dalit Prerna Sthal near here, while those of the BKU (Bhanu) are on an indefinite sit-in at the Delhi-Noida's Chilla border since the first week of December in support of the demand to repeal the three farm laws.
The protestors include farmers from various districts of western Uttar Pradesh like Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Firozabad, and want to move to Delhi to join the larger congregations of protesting farmers from Punjab and Haryana at various border points of Delhi.
Several Protesting Farmers Queue Up At Singhu Border To Register For Blood Donation Camp
Several protesting farmers queued up here at the Singhu border on Monday to register their names for a blood donation camp set up by a Ludhiana-based NGO.
More than 240 protesting farmers have so far donated blood at the camp, which began on Sunday and has been set up by Rehras Sewa Society.
A four-member team of the NGO, along with nine members of the blood bank, started their camp here at the Singhu border on Sunday around 10.30 am and by 5 pm, 190 farmers had donated blood.
Tent City: The New Go-To Lodging Spot For Protestors At Singhu BorderA dip in the capital's minimum temperature and scores of women joining the ongoing farmers'' protest has resulted in a make-shift "tent city" propping up at a petrol pump in the Singhu Border area.
While tractor trolleys continue to be the first choice to sleep in for the majority of farmers camping at the Delhi-Haryana highway, the insulated tents are proving to be a welcome addition in providing protection from the winter chill and probable rain.
The tents, which more often than not are booked to the capacity, have already crossed the figure of 200 from just 50 on December 12.
They come in three different sizes, depending on which they are available for two, three or five adults along with children.
While the biggest available tent is said to accommodate five people, the farmers, after staying in trolleys for over three weeks, have now learnt the skill of squeezing in and don't mind sharing it with more people if required.
"We knew we had to pitch in the tents. The issue was always about the space required. That is when we had a word with the owner of the petrol pump, and he readily agreed. The very next day - December 12 - we had installed close to 50 tents and from then on the number is only increasing," said Jatin Singh, who is managing the space with his team of six people.
He said they now have 200 tents which they provide to protesters who pitch them up wherever they find space. A tent is available upon providing a refundable security fee of Rs 1,000, Mr Singh said.
The water-proof tents, given by NGO Hemkunt Foundation, come with a set of mattress and blanket. Also, the petrol pump provides water for bathing and has a facility for charging phones or laptops too.
Protesting Farmer Leaders To Meet Those Farmers Supporting Centre's Farm Laws: Rakesh Tikait
Farmer union leaders will meet those farmers who are supporting Centre on the three farm laws and will take information from them about the benefits they will get from the laws, said Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union on Monday.
"We will go and meet those farmers' groups who are supporting the Centre on three Farm laws," said Mr Tikait.
"We will take information from them about how they are benefitting from Farm laws and will learn the technology, which they are using to sell their crops," he added.
Meanwhile, farmers have decided to sit on a relay hunger strike from today. "Everyday eleven farmers will sit on hunger strike for 24 hours," said Balwant Singh, Secretary, BKU Punjab. "List of names have been prepared for the relay hunger strike," he added.
Farmers' Protest: Facebook Clarifies Kisan Ekta Mircha Page Was Marked "Spam" For Increased Activity
Clarifying the reason behind the suspension of the Kisan Ekta Morcha page, social media giant Facebook on Monday said its automated systems found an increased activity on the page and flagged it as "spam".
A company spokesperson pointed out that the page was restored within 3 hours.
Facebook had on Sunday temporarily blocked the page of Kisan Ekta Morcha for allegedly "going against" the platform's "Community Standards on spam". The page, which was being used by the farmers protesting at the borders of the national capital, was later restored.
"As per our review, our automated systems found an increased activity on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/kisanektamorcha and flagged it as spam, which violates our Community Standards. We restored the page in less than 3 hours when we became aware of the context," a Facebook spokesperson said on Monday.
Group Of Farmers Sit On Relay Fast Against Farm Laws In UP
A group of 11 farmers here sat on an indefinite relay fast against the three agri laws in Bindki area, police said on Monday.
The farmers, led by District Panchayat member Bablu Kalia, sat on the relay fast from Sunday at Ambedkar party, Station House Officer Bindki Satyendra Singh said.
Mr Bablu said that the new farm laws are "death warrant" for the farmers and they will protest it till they are withdrawn.
The SHO said that on Sunday they left after giving memorandum to the district administration but on Monday they again came and are sitting on the fast.
Farmers Protest: Foot Massages, Tattoos And Dentists For Defiant Farmers At Delhi Borders
With foot-massage machines, a dental surgery, their own newspaper and even a tattoo parlour, it's clear that the thousands of farmers blocking roads into Delhi for almost a month are going nowhere, reported news agency AFP. The farmers marched on the capital in late November to protest at new farm laws they fear will destroy their livelihoods, but police firing tear gas and water cannon stopped them in their tracks. So now, numbering tens of thousands, they are digging in at several entry points into the city, braving the bitter night-time cold with tents, blankets and fires, as well as hot samosas and sweet chai. With music blaring from large speakers fitted to tractors, the largest such site at the Singhu border crossing north of Delhi now resembles a lively -- and highly organised -- festival.
With foot-massage machines, a dental surgery, their own newspaper and even a tattoo parlour, it's clear that the thousands of farmers blocking roads into Delhi for almost a month are going nowhere, reported news agency AFP. The farmers marched on the capital in late November to protest at new farm laws they fear will destroy their livelihoods, but police firing tear gas and water cannon stopped them in their tracks. So now, numbering tens of thousands, they are digging in at several entry points into the city, braving the bitter night-time cold with tents, blankets and fires, as well as hot samosas and sweet chai. With music blaring from large speakers fitted to tractors, the largest such site at the Singhu border crossing north of Delhi now resembles a lively -- and highly organised -- festival.
Farmers Protest: Farmers Begin Relay Hunger Strike At Ghazipur Border, Meerut-Delhi Highway Shut
11 farmers have begun their hunger strike at the Ghazipur border today - the 26th day of the farmers' movement. Tomorrow, another 11 farmers will sit on strike. NH 9, going from Meerut to Delhi, remains shut but the road from Delhi to Meerut remains operational. "The Centre is not serious and is now propping up fake farmers. But we will not budge," the farmers said.
11 farmers have begun their hunger strike at the Ghazipur border today - the 26th day of the farmers' movement. Tomorrow, another 11 farmers will sit on strike. NH 9, going from Meerut to Delhi, remains shut but the road from Delhi to Meerut remains operational. "The Centre is not serious and is now propping up fake farmers. But we will not budge," the farmers said.
Farmers Protest: Farmers Continue To Protest At Tikri Border Despite Cold Conditions
Farmers continue to protest against the new farm laws at Nirankari Samagam ground in Burari and Tikri border demanding the withdrawal of the laws, reported news agency ANI. "It has been three to four months since we are struggling, first we fought this struggle in Punjab and now we are fighting in Delhi. We will not go until these agricultural laws are withdrawn," Rampal Singh of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha said. The agitating farmers continue to remain at the border areas in Delhi amid the prevailing cold conditions.
Farmers continue to protest against the new farm laws at Nirankari Samagam ground in Burari and Tikri border demanding the withdrawal of the laws, reported news agency ANI. "It has been three to four months since we are struggling, first we fought this struggle in Punjab and now we are fighting in Delhi. We will not go until these agricultural laws are withdrawn," Rampal Singh of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha said. The agitating farmers continue to remain at the border areas in Delhi amid the prevailing cold conditions.
Farmers Protest: Farmers Begin Relay Hunger Strike At Singhu Border
Farmers have begun their relay hunger strike on Singhu border. 11 farmers are sitting on hunger strike since 11 am. Another team of 11 farmers will sit on hunger strike tomorrow at 11 am.
Farmers have begun their relay hunger strike on Singhu border. 11 farmers are sitting on hunger strike since 11 am. Another team of 11 farmers will sit on hunger strike tomorrow at 11 am.
Farmers Protest: Blood Donation Camp Set Up At Singhu Border
Ludhiana's Bhai Ghaniya Ji Mission Sewa Samiti has started a blood donation camp from today at the Singhu border. A large number of people are donating blood which will be sent to the blood bank.
Ludhiana's Bhai Ghaniya Ji Mission Sewa Samiti has started a blood donation camp from today at the Singhu border. A large number of people are donating blood which will be sent to the blood bank.
Will Quit Politics If Anyone Tries To Abolish Minimum Crop Price: Haryana Chief MinisterIn an attempt to reassure the farmers, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, on Sunday said that if someone tries to abolish Minimum Support Price (MSP) then he will leave politics.
Farmers Start Relay Hunger Strike; Centre Says Choose Next Date For Talks - 10 PointsAn indefinite relay hunger strike starts today against the government's new agricultural laws as farmers harden stand amid protests that began late November around Delhi borders. After five rounds of negotiations failed, the government on Sunday asked the protesting farmers to choose a date for the next round of talks. The relay hunger strike is the third major national event staged by the farmers after a countrywide shutdown earlier this month, which was backed by opposition parties and trade unions, and last week's hunger strike by farmer leaders. The stir has been intensifying amid repeated assurances from the government on the minimum support price or MSP; farmers say they want the laws repealed.
The Delhi-Meerut highway has been partially blocked amid allegations that farmers from other states are not being allowed to join protests near Delhi borders.
The relay hunger strike is the third major national event staged by the farmers after a countrywide shutdown earlier this month, which was backed by opposition parties and trade unions, and last week's hunger strike by farmer leaders.
Watch | Facebook blocks Kisan Ekta Morcha page for violating community standards, then restores it hours later pic.twitter.com/e5X4b1jPQ5
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 21, 2020
Farmers' protest news: Centre asks farmers to choose date for next round of talks
The announcement comes even as the government asked protesting farmer unions to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the new agri laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.
In a letter to 40 union leaders, Union Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Vivek Aggarwal said the Centre is making all efforts with "an open heart" to find an appropriate solution to resolve all the concerns raised by farmers.
Farmers have announced a day-long relay hunger strike today at all protest sites to press for the repeal of the new agri laws that were passed by the government early this year.
