New Delhi: Leaders of farmer unions who have been protesting against the Centre's new farm laws are on a one-day hunger strike today. The farmers will also be holding demonstrations across the country. The hunger strike between 8 am to 5 pm on Monday is part of the farmers' plan to intensify their agitation from December 14. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also holding a one-day fast in support of the farmers' protest. He appealed to people to fast wherever they are in support of protesting farmers, and asserted that farmers will win in the end.
The chief minister also urged the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers, supporters, as well as the people of the country to join the farmers' agitation.
Addressing a press conference at Singhu border, where the farmers have been camping in agitation, farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said the leaders will observe the hunger strike at their respective places.
"Also dharnas will be staged at all district headquarters across the country. The protest will go on as usual," he told reporters.
Even as more farmers from Punjab and other states arrived near the Singhu and Tikri borders to join the sit-in which has been continuing for 19 days, Union Minister Kailash Choudhary said the government will soon decide a date for the next meeting and expressed confidence that the issues will be resolved this time.
Five rounds of talks have failed to end the stalemate and the sixth was cancelled on December 9.
Here are the Highlights on farmers' protests:
Dec 14, 2020 23:36 (IST)
We are not terrorists, but are fighting for our rights: Farmers
Farmers who were on a day-long hunger strike at the Singhu border as part of their protest against Centre's farm laws broke their fast on Monday evening and said they are not Aatankwadi (terrorists) but Hakwadi (fighting for rights).
"It was a day-long hunger strike against the allegation made by the central government that we are terrorists. Through this fast we want to say that we are not Aatankwadi but Hakwadi," said Punjab Kisan Union member Kuldeep Singh.
"Our message to the centre government is that due to its policies the ''annadatas'' had to observe fast today. The government should repeal the three farm laws." said Manjeet Singh, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) state president Doaba.
Dec 14, 2020 22:42 (IST)
Demand of protesting farmers for repeal of three farm laws most reasonable: Sitaram Yechury
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury on Monday said that the demand of protesting farmers for the repeal of three farm laws was "most reasonable" and the government should accept it.
He supported the hunger strike by protesting farmers today and said they have decided to intensify the protest peacefully.
"What are farmers demanding? They are saying that first withdraw the farm laws and Electricity Amendment Bill and hold discussions them and with all stakeholders. The bill on the agriculture sector should be brought in Parliament after these discussions but first withdraw this," the CPI-M General Secretary told ANI.
"Nobody knows why the government is not accepting the most reasonable demands of the farmers," he said.
He also slammed Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar for his remarks in an interview about anti-government elements being part of protests.
He said farmers came to borders of Delhi on tractors and trolleys and the minister "should be able to recognise them".
He said the government should not find "excuses" and listen to the demands of protesting farmers.
Dec 14, 2020 21:32 (IST)
Farmers protest being used to defame India, says G Kishan Reddy
Asserting that the ongoing farmers' protest against the recently enacted farm laws is being used to defame India on international platforms, Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on Monday advised farmers not to walk into the trap set by the opposition political parties.
Mr Reddy said other political parties have been trying to mislead the farmers regarding the three farm laws that have been recently passed in the Parliament. "I request the protesting farmers from Punjab not to walk into the trap set by the other political parties. They are trying to take advantage of this protest. I request the farmers to stay away from such political parties, which are misleading them."
He added the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is in favour of the farmers and works for their welfare. "The laws don''t state anything that is against the farmers of this country. The BJP government is also ready to talk further and make amendments to the Acts as per the demands of the farmers."
Mr Reddy also said that except for the farmers from Punjab, the rest are happily welcoming these new farm laws.
Dec 14, 2020 19:59 (IST)
Government should repeal farm laws, end protest: Former Minister
Congress MP and former Minister of State for Agriculture Akhilesh Prasad Singh on Monday said the government should repeal the three farm laws against which farmers have been protesting on Delhi borders.
Mr Singh, who was Minister of State for Agriculture, Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs in the first UPA government, said farmer unions should be called for talks again and the government should go by their opinion.
He said that farmers have serious apprehensions about the three laws and "protest was bound to happen".
The Rajya Sabha MP said the country has been witnessing farmer suicides due to the condition of agriculture sector and there is "sense of fear" among farmers due to the new laws.
"When the bills were passed, we repeatedly said do not pass them, it will harm farmers, they will be agitated. That situation is being witnessed today," Mr Singh said.
He also expressed reservation about some remarks concerning the protest by farmers on Delhi borders.
"It is a fight for the rights of farmers and the government should withdraw these laws," he said.
