4 years ago
New Delhi:
Farmers protesting against the three agri laws have threatened to block Ghazipur border between Uttar Pradesh and the national capital today. The warning to intensify protests comes amid assurances from the government on the minimum support price (MSP) for their agricultural produce, a concern repeatedly raised by the farmers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused opposition parties of betraying and misleading farmers and supporting the protests to promote their own agenda.
"If anyone has any concerns, then with our heads bowed, our hands folded, with humility, we are willing to allay their fears. Talk about MSP ending after the new laws is the biggest lie ever. I want to assure every farmer across India that MSP is here to stay," PM Modi said while addressing farmers in Madhya Pradesh on Friday.
Demonstrators today will also pay tributes to more than 20 people who have died since thousands started camping near Delhi borders since late November.
Here are the Highlights on farmer protests:
Congress questions "silence" of PM Modi on ongoing farmers' protests
The Congress on Sunday questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the ongoing farmers'' protests against the Centre's new farm laws and asked why he had not yet condoled the demise of 33 protesters.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the struggle and sacrifices of farmers will bring colour as he saluted those who died during the agitation.
"The struggle and sacrifice of the farmers will surely bring colour. Salutes and tributes to the peasant brothers and sisters," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed said 33 farmers have lost their lives during the ongoing agitation and the agitating farmer unions are observing ''Shradhanjali Diwas'' on Sunday. The Congress is also observing the day.
"Why is our Pradhan Mantri quiet? Why is Shri Amit Shah quiet and why is Yogi Adityanath quiet? Why hasn''t PM Modi said a single word? Why is our Prime Minister ''maun'' (silent)?
Our ''annadatas'' are sitting at the Delhi border along with their wives and children in one of the coldest winters Delhi is experiencing but our Home minister Amit Shah has no time to see them but has time to go to Bengal," she told reporters.
Government committed to farmers' welfare: Yogi Adityanath
The chief minister said the government will give guarantee to farmers to protect their interest in the case of contract farming.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that his government is committed to bringing prosperity in farmers'' lives because their affluence would ensure the country's progress.
Yogi Adityanath made the observation while inaugurating here at the Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology while inaugurating various agriculture and allied sector projects worth Rs 90 crore for various eastern UP districts including Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Basti, Balrampur, Bahraich and Barabanki.
The projects involve the establishment of 20 agriculture scientific centres in cooperation with the agriculture university to guide farmers in various agricultural and allied fields including fishery and animal husbandry.
Speaking on the occasion, Yogi Adityanath referred to the farmers' agitation against the three central farm laws and accused the opposition of misleading farmers on different aspects of laws like contract farming and the continuation of the MSP.
Only few people opposing farm laws due to political reasons: ML Khattar
"But a handful of people, who are politically motivated, I won't call them as representatives of farmers, are opposing these laws due to political reasons," he said.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday defended the Centre's new farm laws and claimed a handful of people are opposing these due to "political reasons".
He said in a democratic set up though everyone has the right to put forward his views, there is no place for putting pressure by blocking roads.
Addressing a "Jal Adhikar Rally" in south Haryana's Narnaul, where a galaxy of senior BJP leaders from the state were in attendance, Mr Khattar said the Centre is committed to doubling the farmers'' income by 2022.
He said this will be done in many stages and farm reforms is one of them.
Harish Rawat joins farmers protest at Ghazipur border, demands withdrawal of agri laws
He paid tributes to farmers who lost their lives during the protest due to different reasons including heart attack.
Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat joined farmers protesting against the Centre's agricultural reform laws at the Ghazipur border here on Sunday and demanded the government take back the "anti-farmer" legislations.
The former Uttarakhand chief minister also paid homage to farmers who have died during the agitation.
AICC member Narendra Rathi said Rawat was accompanied by several Congress office-bearers and workers.
Farmers from different parts of the country, including Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at different border points of Delhi for four weeks now to demand the repeal of the three farm laws, which were voted through in Parliament in September amid strong protests by opposition parties.
"I am the son of a farmer and very well understand the problems of farmers. I demand that the central government withdraw the three anti-farmer agricultural laws," Mr Rawat said.
Farmers' protest: AIKS Maharashtra vehicle ''jatha'' to Delhi to begin tomorrow from Nashik
Thousands of farmers from 21 districts of Maharashtra under All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leadership will converge on Monday morning at the Golf Club Maidan in Nashik to begin their ''vehicle jatha'' (march) to Delhi.
In an official statement, the AIKS said that thousands of farmers from 21 districts of Maharashtra under AIKS leadership will converge on Monday morning at the Golf Club Maidan in Nashik to begin their vehicle ''jatha'' to Delhi.
The jatha to Delhi will be led by AIKS national president Dr Ashok Dhawale, J P Gavit, Kisan Gujar, Dr Ajit Nawale, Sunil Malusare and others.
The public meeting beginning the jatha will be greeted by Kerala Rajya Sabha MP and AIKS Joint Secretary KK Ragesh.
Thousands of farmers from 21 districts of Maharashtra under All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leadership will converge on Monday morning at the Golf Club Maidan in Nashik to begin their ''vehicle jatha'' (march) to Delhi.
In an official statement, the AIKS said that thousands of farmers from 21 districts of Maharashtra under AIKS leadership will converge on Monday morning at the Golf Club Maidan in Nashik to begin their vehicle ''jatha'' to Delhi.
The jatha to Delhi will be led by AIKS national president Dr Ashok Dhawale, J P Gavit, Kisan Gujar, Dr Ajit Nawale, Sunil Malusare and others.
The public meeting beginning the jatha will be greeted by Kerala Rajya Sabha MP and AIKS Joint Secretary KK Ragesh.
Majority of farmers support farm laws; opposition parties fuelling protests: BJP leader
"Opposition parties, including the Congress and the AAP, lose no chance to indulge in conspiracy and instigate people at the slightest opportunity and they are doing the same regarding the farm laws," Mr Singh said.
Amid protests by farmers on Delhi borders against the Centre's new farm laws, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said on Sunday that majority of farmers in the country support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the legislations.
If a survey is conducted in the country, 99.9 per cent farmers will be found in support of the prime minister, Mr Singh claimed at a ''kisan chaupal'' (farmers'' meet) at Gharoli village in east Delhi's Mayur Vihar area.
The meet was organised by the party's Delhi unit in support of the farm laws.
Traffic movement on Jaipur-Delhi highway partially affected for 8th day due to farmers' stir
Traffic movement on the Jaipur-Delhi highway remained partially affected for the eighth consecutive day on Sunday due to an agitation by farmers against the Centre's three farm laws.
Braving intense cold, the farmers have been sitting on a carriageway of the highway in Shahjahanpur near the Rajasthan-Haryana border, PTI reported.
Doctors from Punjab set up two-day eye-examination camp for protesting farmers at Singhu border
A team of nine doctors from Punjab's Garhshankar set up a two-day medical camp at the Singhu border here on Sunday to attend to the protesting farmers who are suffering from eye-related problems, PTI reported.
A team of nine doctors from Punjab's Garhshankar set up a two-day medical camp at the Singhu border here on Sunday to attend to the protesting farmers who are suffering from eye-related problems, PTI reported.
NGOs donate toilets, geysers, tents for protesting farmers
US-based Sikh NGOs donated toilets, geysers, and tents for farmers protesting against the farm laws and sleeping in the open at Tikri border and other places on Sunday.
"Due to lack of basic facilities at protest sites, we have decided to donate 200 portable toilets and geysers," S P Singh Khalsa, Hoshiarpur Coordinator, Sikh Panchayat Fremont California, told ANI.
Farmers' protest fallout of BJP's politics of ''lies and deceit'': UP Congress
The ongoing farmers' protest against the Centre's new agri laws is a fallout of BJP's politics of "lies and deceit", the Congress said on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu also said that the party will continue its fight for farmers until the laws are withdrawn, PTI reported.
Hans Raj visits rural pockets in north west Delhi to apprise people of 'benefits' of farm laws
BJP MP and Punjabi Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans is reaching out to people in villages bordering Haryana in his parliamentary constituency north west Delhi to apprise them of the "benefits" of the Centre's three agriculture laws being opposed by farmers.
Hans's South Delhi counterpart Ramesh Bidhuri on Sunday also took out a nine-km-long ''Kisan Kanoon Kalyan Samarthan Yatra'' passing many villages including Jaitpur, Badarpur, Meethapur and Molarband in his constituency, PTI reported.
Farmers Protest: Bharatiya Kisan Union: Warned About Accepting Foreign Funds, Says Punjab's Biggest Farmer Group Bharatiya Kisan UnionOne of the leading farmers' groups playing a big role in the protests has been accused of accepting foreign funds without proper clearances. The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) -- the largest and most dominant in Punjab with a huge follower base -- has been issued warning by a bank and told to get mandatory registration."
Farmers' protest live updates: Chilla Border carriageway from Noida to Delhi closed for traffic
Security forces deployed as farmers continue their protest at Chilla Border (Delhi-Noida Border) against Centre's Farm laws.
Chilla border carriageway from Noida to Delhi is closed for traffic, as per Delhi Traffic Police. (ANI)
Warned About Accepting Funds from Abroad, Says Farmers' Goup
One of the leading farmers' groups playing a big role in the protests, has been accused of accepting foreign funds with proper clearances. The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) - the largest and most dominant in Punjab with a huge follower base -- has been issued warned by a bank and told to get mandatory registration.
Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, the general secretary of the group, has said he was called by the officials of Punjab and Sindh bank in Punjab's Moga district and told about a mail from the forex department.
Farmer group warned for accepting foreign funds
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 20, 2020
NDTV's Mohammed Ghazali reports pic.twitter.com/Fi8eT5367c
Farmers Observe 'Shradhanjali Diwas' For Those Who Died During Protest
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 20, 2020
Read more: https://t.co/74H6ifQfXE pic.twitter.com/mchnAuMU5O
Farmers' protest: Roads To Avoid In Haryana And Delhi
According to the Delhi traffic police, Tikri and Dhansa borders are closed for any traffic movement. The Jhatikara Border is open only for two-wheelers and pedestrians.
However, for those travelling to Haryana, the Delhi Traffic Police said some borders are opened -- the Jharoda border (only for single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera.
The Ghazipur border is closed for traffic coming from Noida and Ghaziabad due to the ongoing protest. Those travelling to Delhi can take alternative routes via Anad Vihar, DND, Apsara and Bhopra borders, it said.
The Chilla border between Noida and Delhi is open for traffic but for just one carriageway. The other carriageway from Noida to Delhi is closed, according to the traffic police.
Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Sabholi and Mangesh borders are closed and commuters are suggested to take alternate routes via Lampur, Safiabad and Singhu school toll tax borders, it said.
Volunteers serve tea and breakfast to protesting farmers as their agitation against Centre's three farm laws enters Day-25 at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) - ANI
Delhi: Farmers' protest at Ghazipur (Delhi-UP border) enters day 23; protesters to observe 'Shahidi Diwas' today
- ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2020
"We'll observe Shahidi Divas today & pay tribute to those who lost their lives during this movement," says Mange Ram Tyagi, Chief Secy, Delhi-NCR,Bhartiya Kisan Union pic.twitter.com/WqehYwtry6
Farmers' protest live updates: Nurse, Medical staff join protest at Singhu border
Nurses and medical staff from Punjab today joined the protest at Singhu border to support the agitation and to provide them medical assistance if the need arises.
Talking to news agency ANI Harshdeep Kaur, who is working as a nurse in Ludhiana hospital said that we are here to support and give medical aid to the farmers in this chilling weather.
"We are here to support farmers protest but we also want to serve them if they were ill. Medical treatment is the basic requirement for everyone because of the chilling weather we would like to serve farmers if they require," said Kaur, who is working as a nurse in Ludhiana hospital.
Amid protests at Delhi borders, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh hit out at the centre on Saturday and defended the middlemen in the state targeted in tax raids, saying these oppressive actions will backfire against the ruling BJP. A total of 14 Arhtiyas or farm agents across Punjab have received notices from the IT department.
#TheBigFight | PM Modi addressed the farmers in a strong pitch supporting the centre's #farmlaws amid massive pushback by farmers. After failed attempts at negotiations, can PM bridge the trust deficit and can he allay the farmers' fears? pic.twitter.com/AXDtjqpCP7
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 18, 2020
Demonstrators today will also pay tributes to more than 20 people who have died since thousands started camping near Delhi borders since late November.
"Talk That Minimum Crop Price Will Go Biggest Lie Ever": PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused opposition parties of betraying and misleading farmers and supporting the protests to promote their own agenda.
"If anyone has any concerns, then with our heads bowed, our hands folded, with humility, we are willing to allay their fears. Talk about MSP ending after the new laws is the biggest lie ever. I want to assure every farmer across India that MSP is here to stay," PM Modi said while addressing farmers in Madhya Pradesh on Friday.
Farmers protesting against the three agri laws have threatened to block Ghazipur border between Uttar Pradesh and the national capital today. The warning to intensify protests comes amid assurances from the government on the minimum support price (MSP) for their agricultural produce, a concern repeatedly raised by the farmers.
