The farmers have been protesting against the new farm laws near Delhi border points (File)
The eighth round of discussion between the farmers and Centre has ended at Delhi's Vigyan Bhava. The two sides are going to meet again of January 15, reported news agency ANI.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the centre has lost the trust of the entire farming community and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should directly talk to agitating farmers.
Intensifying their stir against the central farm laws, 15 farmers from western Uttar Pradesh districts sat on a hunger strike in Uttar Pradesh's Noida, even as the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha's "tractor rally" witnessed participation of thousands of protesters in Gautam Buddh Nagar on Thursday.
The 15 protesters are from the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti), who are camping at the Dalit Prerna Sthal, while 11 farmers belonging to the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) are already on a relay hunger strike at the Chilla border since a fortnight.
These protesters belong to Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Firozabad, Aligarh, Kasganj, among other places in the state, he added.
A 135-km six-lane arc that partially surrounds the National Capital Region and acts as a high-speed thoroughfare for cargo trucks was filled with tractors on Thursday as thousands of farmers who have been camping on the highways in and around Delhi began their march against new farm laws. The tractor rally, called by some 40 farmer unions, started on the Western Peripheral Expressway that starts at Ghaziabad and ends in Palwal.
Here are the Live Updates of the farmers' protests:
Farmers Protest: If Repealing Laws Was Only Issue, Solution Would Have Been Reached, Says ML Khattar
After meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that if repealing of recently enacted farm laws was the only issue, a solution would have been reached but there are several other issues yet to be addressed, reported news agency ANI. ML Khattar met Amit Shah at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today. "We are hopeful. If there was no outcome today, maybe a solution will be reached in the next round of talks. If repealing of laws was the only issue, a solution would have been reached. There are several other issues to be addressed," said Mr Khattar.
Farmers Protest: Won't Relent Unless Laws Repealed, Says Bharatiya Kisan Union Leader
The eighth round of negotiations between the protesting farmer unions and the Centre today remained inconclusive, with Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union saying farmers won't relent before the laws are repealed, reported news agency ANI. "Farmers won't relent before the laws are repealed. We will come on 15th (January) again. We are not going anywhere. The government wanted to talk about amendments. We don''t wish to have clause wise discussions. We simply want a repeal of the new farm laws," said Mr Tikait. Meanwhile, Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha said there was a heated discussion at the meeting today.
Farmers Protest: Had Asked Police To Give Me Intelligence Updates On Farmers' Protest, Says Amarinder Singh
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said he had "naturally asked" police to give him regular intelligence updates related to the farmers' protest in the national capital, reported news agency PTI. He said this while rejecting the Opposition claim that he deputed police officers to "negotiate" with farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws at Delhi's borders.
Farmers Protest: Amarinder Singh Rejects Allegations Of Deputing Police To Negotiate With Farmers
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today rejected Opposition claims that he had deputed police officers to negotiate with farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws at the Delhi border, reported news agency PTI. Dubbing the accusations as "completely baseless and malicious", Amarinder Singh said there was no question of deputing police officers to negotiate with farmers. In a statement, Mr Singh said he had made it categorically clear that the ball was in the Centre's court, with the Punjab government having no role to play in the negotiations.
Farmers Protest: Unions Say Ready To Fight Till Death
The government's negotiations with farm unions to end over-a-month-long agitation appeared to be heading nowhere at the eighth round of talks today as the Centre ruled out repealing the three contentious laws claiming nationwide support for reforms while the farmer leaders said they are ready to fight till death and their "ghar waapsi" will happen only after "law waapsi", reported news agency PTI. The next meeting has been fixed for January 15, amid indications that any headway will now depend on a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for January 11 on a batch of petitions related to the protests. The farmer groups have also decided to meet on January 11 to decide their next course of action, even as many leaders said they have lost hope now that any resolution could be reached even in the next round of negotiations.
Farmers Protest: After Singhu Border, AAP Installs WiFi Hotspots At Tikri Border
After Singhu Border, AAP has installed WiFi hotspots at the Tikri Border where thousands of farmers are protesting against the three new farm laws. The Aam Aadmi Party said that after receiving complaints about "bad network connection" from farmers, WiFi hotspots were installed.
Farmers Protest: Priyanka Gandhi Hits Out At UP Government Over Handling Of Farmers' Issues
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today slammed the UP government for the way it is dealing with farmers' problems, reported news agency ANI. In a tweet today, Priyanka Gandhi shared a video in which police and other administrative officials could be seen arguing with a Sikh man who is a farmer. A police official could be seen arguing and saying, "Shed of his (farmer's) house will be brought down."
"If the farmer raises his voice for the MSP, there will be a threat of toppling their shed. In UP, more than 7.5 lakh farmers did not get "Samman Nidhi" due to government's fault, but the government has appointed nodal officers to stop the peasant movement. This is how the BJP respects farmers. #Country should speak for farmers," the Congress leader said in the tweet in Hindi.
Farmers Protest: Our Movement Will Continue Until Laws Are Repealed, Says Farmers' Leader
"Today's meeting yielded no result and the next meeting will be held on January 15. Today the ministers said that farmers' union should become a party in the pleas before the Supreme Court. But we have told the government that all 40 unions will sit and decide whether or not we will go to the Supreme Court. They can't advise us to go to court. The hearing on January 11 will be a critical one. We want to reiterate that our movement will continue until all the laws are repealed," said All India Kisan Sabha Leader Balkaran Singh Barar.
Farmers Protest: Centre Committed To Follow Supreme Court's Decision, Says Minister On Top Court Hearing Farmer's Pleas
Government committed to follow Supreme Court's decision, said Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on the top court's scheduled hearing of farmers' issue on January 11, reported news agency PTI.
Farmers Protest: Next Round Of Talks On Jan 15
The next round of talks between the Central Government and farmer leaders to be held on 15th January, reported news agency ANI.
Farmers Protest: Consult Legal Team Or Tell Us Clearly Laws Can't Be Repealed, Famers' Leader Tells Centre
Farmers union leaders are still in the meeting hall as they meet Centre in an attempt to break the deadlock. Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar has suggested they break for lunch a few minutes ago but no one has come out of the meeting yet. Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal has outrightly rejected the amendments and has told Mr Tomar that the Centre has no constitutional right to frame laws. "Consult your legal team to check modalities for repealing the laws or tell us clearly that laws can't be repealed and we will leave the hall," Balbir Rajewal said.
Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Prakash at the eighth round of talks with farmers at Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan.
Farmers Protest: Thursday's Tractor Rally "A Trailer", Will Block Delhi If Demands Not Met, Threaten Farmers
Even as the Centre is struggling to reach a consensus regarding the ongoing protest over the farm laws, a farmer today said the tractor parade that took place on Thursday was just a trailer and they will block entire Delhi if their demands are not met, news agency ANI reported.
"Yesterday, it was just a trailer, the whole movie is yet to play. We will block whole Delhi," threatened another farmer Balvinder Singh Raju while speaking to news agency ANI.
Farmers on Thursday took out a tractor rally as a rehearsal for a more massive rally they have planned for January 26 if their demands are not met.
"Hopeful A Solution Will Be Found": Farmer-Government Meet BeginsLeaders of protesting farmers are meeting government representatives in Delhi today for the eighth round of talks over the new agricultural laws that have sparked a furore across the country. The protesters have threatened to hold a tractor rally in the national capital on Republic Day if their demands are not met. The last meeting, on January 4, failed to break the deadlock with farmers insisting on the repeal of the new laws introduced in September.
Farmers Protest: Laws Meant For Entire Country, Unions Should Think Beyond Punjab, Haryana, Says Narendra Tomar
In the session before the lunch break, Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar told farmers' union leaders that laws are meant for the entire country and unions should consider beyond the interests of Punjab and Haryana. Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal told Mr Tomar to repeal the laws & let states bring in their own laws.
Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal arrive for talks with farmers
Issues can be resolved if protesting farmers try to understand Centre's stand: Kailash Choudhary
Ahead of the ninth round of dialogue between the Union government and representatives of farmer unions scheduled today, Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary said that as per the farmers'' initial demand, the government is ready to amend the laws. To help find a solution, the farmers will also have to understand the government''s perspective.
"I'm hopeful that a solution to farmers' issue could be found through dialogue. When we'll talk clause by clause then we''ll surely arrive at a solution. During initial talks, the leaders of farmer unions said they want amendments in the acts and government is ready for that. We'll definitely address all doubts of farmers," said the minister.
He hoped that in today's meeting the farmers will try to understand the government's perspective.
"The crores of farmers who are supporting these laws are also farmers. We have understood their point (of protesting farmers') and taken 10 steps forward if they also understand the government's perspective and take few steps forward then we will definitely find a solution," he added.
Rahul Gandhi appeals to people to join ''Kisaan ke Liye Bole Bharat'' campaign
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday appealed to people to join the social media campaign ''Kisaan Ke Liye Bole Bharat'' supporting the farmer protests. The campaign started at 10 am.
"Peaceful protests are an integral part of our democracy. Our farmer brothers and sisters are receiving support from all across the country. You should also join along in support of them so that the anti-farmer laws are repealed. #kisaan_ke_lie_bole_bhaart" Mr Gandhi tweeted.
He also shared a video on Twitter related to the campaign asking people to share their views on farmer protests via posts and videos on social media.
The video claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party is anti-farmers while Congress works towards their betterment. He said Congress will fight with the farmers to get the three contentious farm laws repealed.
"The country is going to face a Champaran like tragedy once again. Then there was with British company the farmers had to fight with, now it is with Modi''s friends'' companies. But every farmer of the movement is a Satyagrahi who will continue to fight for his rights," the Congress tweeted on January 3.
Farmers Protest: Agriculture Minister Meets Amit Shah Ahead Of 8th Round Of Talks With Farmers
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today met Union Home Minister Amit Shah just before the start of the eighth round of talks with protesting farmer unions on the three farm laws. The meeting continued for about an hour, reported news agency PTI. Narendra Tomar is leading the talks with the representatives of around 40 farmer unions to resolve the over-one-month deadlock over the three new farm laws.
Traffic affected due to farmers' protestDue to the farmers' protest since late November last year, several routes connecting Delhi with its neighbouring states have been closed for traffic movement.
According to Delhi Traffic Police, Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Saboli and Mangesh borders were closed on Friday as well.
It advised commuters to take alternative routes via Lampur Safiabad, Palla and Singhu school toll tax borders. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK Road, the traffic police force said, asking commuters to avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road and NH-44.
It said Chilla and Ghazipur borders were closed for traffic coming from Noida and Ghaziabad to Delhi, and advised people to take alternative routes via Anand Vihar, DND, Bhopra and Loni borders instead.
The traffic police said Tikri and Dhansa borders were also closed for traffic movement.
Farmers to talk with Centre today
Following the seventh round of talks, at least one farmer union involved in the parleys had asked the protesters to prepare for the long haul, since the government had clearly refused to consider the repeal of the laws. They also want a law that guarantees the minimum support price.
"We will discuss these three laws point-by-point and we are ready to make amendments as necessary after considering the points on which you have objections," a release from the Narendra Tomar-led agriculture ministry said quoting him.
Farmer Protest: Eighth Round Of Talks With Government TodayLeaders of protesting farmers will meet government representatives in New Delhi today to hold the eighth round of talks over the new agricultural laws that have sparked a furore across the country. The protesters have threatened to hold a tractor rally in the national capital on Republic Day if their demands are not met. The last meeting, on January 4, failed to break the stalemate with farmers insisting on the repeal of the new laws introduced in September.
Farm leader says tractor march planned with Army talks during Republic Day parade
Rakesh Tikait further said that farmers have planned to take out a tractor march along with the tanks of the Indian army during the Republic day parade.
"We are going to take out a tractor march on January 26 with the Indian army. Army tanks will be on one side and the tractors on the other. A hundred tractors will march with one tableau. The government should make full preparations regarding this," he added.
Farm leader's metaphor ahead of talks with Centre
Ahead of the talks, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, using a legal metaphor said that the government is giving dates for court hearings without a case in place.
"Government is giving tareekh pe takeekh (dates after dates) with a case. They (the government) are also trying to using the probable spread of the COVID-19 virus as an excuse to end our protest. Political parties held large gatherings during the Bihar elections and also in Telangana. If COVID-19 starts spreading here we''ll see," he stated.
He reiterated that farmers will go home after the government listened to the demands of protesters and repeal the laws.
PM Should Talk Directly To Protesting Farmers: Harsimrat Kaur BadalA day before the government's eighth round of talks with protesting farm unions, Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the centre has lost the trust of the entire farming community and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should directly talk to agitating farmers.
"It is strange that farmers are spending nights in open in winter and even then their demands are falling on deaf ears," said Ms Badal, who party ended its alliance with the BJP-led NDA over the farm laws.
15 Farmers Sit On Hunger Strike In UP's Noida Against Farm LawsIntensifying their stir against the central farm laws, 15 farmers from western Uttar Pradesh districts sat on a hunger strike in Uttar Pradesh's Noida, even as the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha's "tractor rally" witnessed participation of thousands of protesters in Gautam Buddh Nagar on Thursday.