Farmers Protest in Delhi: Farmers have been demonstrating since late last month over the new farm bills
As the protest by the farmers, camping at the Delhi borders, against the Centre's agricultural reforms has entered its fifteenth day today, the government will make an appeal to them to call off the unprecedented protests against the new farm laws, explaining why it is diluting the laws, sources said. The government will also explain why it is bringing amendments to the controversial laws which the farmers want repealed, they said.
On Wednesday, the agitating farmers rejected the government's proposal to amend three new farm laws and said they would step up protests. The protesting farmers have been saying these laws would harm their economic interests while helping big food retailers.
Their plans involve closure of the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, boycott of Reliance malls and capture of toll plazas.By December 14, there will be a full-scale protest across the country, the farmers said.
Farmers have been demonstrating since late last month over reforms enacted in September that loosened rules around the sale, pricing and storage of farm produce.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protests:
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Supreme Court Bar Association Condemns Use Of Force Against Protesting FarmersThe Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association has resolved to condemn the use of force and repressive measures against farmers protesting against the Centre's new agri laws.
The SCBA committee has called upon all concerned to uphold and protect the constitutional right of all citizens to peaceful protest, PTI reported.
Farmers' unions should consider Centre's proposal: Narendra Singh Tomar
Farmers' unions should consider Government's proposal; we are always ready for further discussions: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar
We kept waiting for suggestions from farmers' leaders to address their concerns, but they are stuck on repeal of laws: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
Farmers Protest: Centre ready to consider with open mind any provision in new laws, says Union Minister
Government is ready to consider with open mind any provision in new farm laws where farmers have issues, remove all their apprehensions: Agriculture Minister.
Farmers Protest: Centre trying to ruin country, says Kamal Nath on new farm laws
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath has hit out at the Centre over the three new farm laws, alleging that the government was trying to ruin the country.
Thousands of farmers have been protesting on various borders of the national capital against the three farm laws enacted in September.
"The new agriculture laws brought by the Centre will exploit the farmers," the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister told reporters here on Wednesday night.
"This government is working aimlessly and it is going to ruin the entire country," he alleged.
Farmers Protest: Modi government sensitive about farmers' demands, says Union MinisterAmid the ongoing protests against three new farm laws, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday said the Modi government was "sensitive" about the demands made by farmers and has addressed their main concerns in a "transparent" manner.
He also said that most of the farmers were "satisfied" with the steps taken by the central government, and added that their interests were "safe and secure" in its hands.
"The government is completely sensitive about the demands of farmers. That is why it has addressed their main concerns effectively and in a transparent manner. Most of the farmers are satisfied," Mr Naqvi told PTI.
Farmers Protest - As Farmers Plan To Scale Up Protests, Centre To Make An Appeal: SourcesThe government will appeal to farmers to call off the unprecedented protests against the new farm laws, explaining why it is diluting the laws, sources said. The protest - the biggest by farmers in years - has entered the fifteenth day.
The government will also explain why it is bringing amendments to the controversial laws which the farmers want repealed, sources said.
Farmer groups on Wednesday turned down the centre's written offer of amendments in farm laws, and announced a series of plans to escalate their protest.
In the proposal sent to 13 agitating farmer unions, the centre had promised a written assurance for minimum support prices, allowing farmers to go to court to resolve disputes instead of a sub-divisional magistrate and scrapping of the Electricity Amendment bill, which they opposed.
Farmers Protest Live: Will end protest only after withdrawal of farm laws, says farm union
With the farmers' protest in and around Delhi against the recently enacted farm laws entering 15th day, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) on Thursday reiterated that the agitation would not be withdrawn till the three Acts are repealed.
A day after rejecting the Centre's proposal on changes in the three farm laws, the BKU also demanded a Bill on minimum support price (MSP).
"The proposal has no mention of the withdrawal of the laws. They (central government) wants amendment in them but we want these laws to be repealed. We don't want changes. We will end our protest only when these laws are withdrawn," BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait told ANI, adding the government is interested only in ending the protest.
Farmers' Protest Latest News: Over 50 medical camps set up for farmers at Delhi's Singhu border
Over 50 free round-the-clock medical camps have come up at Singhu, one of the multiple Delhi borders, where farmers have been agitating against the three recently enacted farm laws, braving the winters, for the last 15 days.
Free medicines and ambulance services are also being provided to the agitating farmers.
Dr Kanwar Pal Singh, a volunteer associated with United Sikhs NGO, which has set up many such camps, told ANI people mostly complained of fever and sore throat here. "Protesters, however, are taking all precautions here amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he said on Thursday.
Farmers Protest: Farmer Leader On Minister Remark That China, Pak behind farmers' protest
"This is an insult to the Indian farmers. The farmers are led by their own interests and do not bother about any other forces," said Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha on Union minister Raosaheb Danve's statement that "China, Pak behind farmers' protest".
Farmers Protest: People emotionally connected to farmers' stir to save democracy, says Akhilesh YadavSamajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said the farmers' stir was also a movement to restore democratic values and that people are "emotionally connected" with it to "save" democracy.
Mr Yadav's party has been backing the farmers' stir against three new agri laws.
"The farmers' agitation is also a movement to restore the democratic values of India. There should be participation of general public in all decisions of the government...To save democracy, every citizen of the country is also becoming emotionally connected with the farmers' agitation," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
Farmers' protest Live: Delhi Traffic Police informs commuters about closed routesAmid the continuing deadlock between farmers and the Centre over the new farm laws, the Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday took to Twitter to inform commuters about routes closed for traffic in view of thousands of protesters camping at the city's borders.
The police also advised people to take alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.
Tikri and Dhansa borders are still closed for traffic movement, while Jhatikara border is open only for two-wheelers and pedestrian movement, it said.
Those travelling to Haryana can take Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders, the police said in a tweet.
The closure of borders has also resulted in heavy traffic on alternative routes.
Farmers Protest Live: The protest is movement to restore India's democratic value, says Akhilesh Yadav
Asserting that the farmers are agitating in and around Delhi for the restoration of the democratic value of the country, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said every citizen is emotionally joining the protest against the recently enacted farm laws.
"The farmers' protest is a movement to restore the democratic value of India. And the general public should participate in all the decisions of the government; should not let it impose its will. That is the reason every citizen of the country is also emotionally connecting with the farmers'' protest to save democracy in India," the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh tweeted in Hindi.
Farmers' Protest Latest News: Many more farmers are coming to join the movement, says farmer leader
Farmers Protest - Punjab family says no to wedding gifts, keeps donation box for farmers
A family in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, asked their relatives and friends to donate money for the protesting farmers, instead of presenting gifts, during the wedding of their son recently.
At the ceremony, they put up a donation box in the venue and appealed to guests to make generous donations for the farmers protesting against three recently enacted farm laws in and around Delhi.
"This is our struggle and we all must fight it together. Everyone should help them. I would like to urge the young generation to do something for society, and come out in their support," said Abhijit Singh, the groom.
Farmers Protest Latest News: Minister's "China, Pak Hand In Farmer Protest" Remark Shameful, Says Sikh BodyUnion Minister Raosaheb Danve's comment that the ongoing farmer protest across the country was being fueled by Pakistan and China has provoked a furious reaction from a Delhi Sikh body that called his views "an insult".
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) denounced the insinuation that the farmers were being "anti-national" or "anarchist" by protesting.
"Farmers have been sitting peacefully and the government has faild to deliver justice...the farmers who themselves fight and die for the nation, grow food, and whose children too martyr themselves for the nation...don't try to paint them anti-national," DSGMC President S Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a video message released on Wednesday.
Calling such insinuations "shameful", he said that the government's ministers and spokespersons have repeatedly been making such allegations.
Farmers Protest Latest News: Over 50 medical camps set up for farmers at Singhu border
Over 50 free round-the-clock medical camps have come up at Singhu, one of the multiple Delhi borders, where farmers have been agitating against the three recently enacted farm laws, braving the winters, for the last 15 days.
Free medicines and ambulance services are also being provided to the agitating farmers.
Dr Kanwar Pal Singh, a volunteer associated with United Sikhs NGO, which has set up many such camps, told ANI people mostly complained of fever and sore throat here. "Protesters, however, are taking all precautions here amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he said on Thursday.
Farmers' protest against Centre's farm laws enters 15th day
Farmers Protest: Government attempting to sabotage farmers' protest alleges Punjab minister
Punjab Cabinet Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday hit out at the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, alleging that it was trying to sabotage the farmers' protest, and instead of resolving the issues of the farmers, it was trying to intimidate the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
In a statement, Mr Channi urged the BJP government to refrain from such acts as the people of the state, the Congress party, and the state government was standing with the Chief Minister.
"The BJP government should refrain from filing ED and CBI cases. The people of the state, the Congress party, and the state government stand with the Chief Minister," the statement quoted Mr Channi.
Farmers Protest Live: Akali Dal backs farmer unions rejecting government proposals over farm laws
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has backed the farmer unions over their rejection of proposals sent by the government for changes in farm laws and said the ruling alliance at the Centre should unconditionally withdraw the three controversial Acts and accept all the other demands of the farmers.
The SAD said it "fully backs the farmers'' rejection of the proposals sent by the Government of India", saying that these proposals were nothing but "delaying and diversionary tactics and tricks" which have rightly been rejected by the farmers.
In a statement, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said that there was nothing new in these proposals.
Farmers' Protest Latest News: "Conspiracy" Of China, Pakistan Behind Farmers' Protests, Says Union MinisterUnion minister Raosaheb Danve on Wednesday claimed that China and Pakistan were behind the ongoing protests by farmers, who are seeking repeal of three new farm laws.
He also alleged that Muslims were earlier misled over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), but as those efforts did not succeed, now farmers were being told that they will face losses due to the new laws.
Mr Danve was speaking at the inauguration of a health centre at Kolte Takli in Badnapur taluka of Maharashtra's Jalna district.
Farmers Protest Latest News: Talks With Farmers "Work In Progress", Says Union MinisterUnion Minister Prakash Javadekar today said the government is sensitive to the concerns of farmers as he expressed hope that ongoing deliberations with them, which he termed a "work in progress", over the three agriculture-related laws will yield some results soon.
He said the government has held several rounds of talks with the farmers agitating against the three legislations and is keen to resolve their issues.
"When the talks and negotiations are taking place, it is considered a work in progress. There is no running commentary on any such work in progress," he told reporters at a Cabinet briefing in Delhi.
Farmers' Protest Live: Farmers Reject Government Offer, Announce More ProtestsProtesting farmers have unanimously rejected the Centre's written offer of amendments in farm laws, and announced a series of plans to escalate their protest. The plans involve closure of the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, boycott of Reliance malls and capture of toll plazas.
By December 14, there will be a full-scale protest across the country, they said. The decision was taken at a meeting after the Centre sent a written proposal laying out a series of amendments, an idea turned down by farmers who demand scrapping of the laws.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whose meeting with farmers was inconclusive Tuesday, had a two-and-half-hour meeting with Agriculture minister Narendra Tomar and Commerce minister Piyush Goyal yesterday evening.