Farmers Protest in Delhi Updates: The farmers' protest began last month against three controversial laws.
Heads of all farmer unions will observe hunger strike from 8 am to 5 pm on Monday, farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said today at the Singhu Border. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he will fast along with farmers on Monday to protest the centre's new agricultural laws that have triggered a massive demonstration since last month on the outskirts of the capital.
The Delhi-Jaipur highway was shut down this afternoon as farmers started a tractor march from Shahjahanpur on the Rajasthan-Haryana border as part of their escalating 18-day protest against the Centre's contentious farm laws. One highway was opened as farmers removed blockade from the Delhi-Noida border at Chilla. Today's rally will be followed by an all-India hunger strike on Monday when the demonstrators plan to hold protests at district offices.
On Saturday, over 4,000 policemen were deployed in Gurgaon and Haryana to stop the farmers from occupying highways. The laws are meant to bring reforms and increase farmers' income, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday in what was seen as a renewed assurance from the government.
Thousands of farmers have been protesting at various border points of Delhi for over two weeks, demanding scrapping of the new farm laws.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protests:
Rift Within Farmers' Group Over Decision To Open Highway To DelhiThe Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) faction -- one of the key organisations leading the farmers' protest -- saw discord today over the opening of the highway at the Chilla border. The highway from Noida to Delhi was the only one left open as the farmers' protest escalated and the Delhi-Jaipur border was blocked to stop farmers coming into Delhi from Rajasthan.
Amarinder Singh calls Arvind Kejriwal's announcement of observing fast as ''theatrics''Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday described his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal''s announcement of observing a fast on Monday as "theatrics".
Mr Kejriwal has said he will observe a daylong fast on Monday in response to a call given by the farmers protesting against three new farm laws.
Captain Singh said the Kejriwal government had "backstabbed" the farmers by "shamelessly" notifying one of the farm laws on November 23.
"And now, they are indulging in theatrics by announcing that they would be sitting on a fast in support of the farmers'' hunger strike on Monday," he said in a statement issued.
"Do you have no shame? At a time when our farmers are braving the winter cold on the roads outside your city and many of them are dying fighting for their rights, all you can think of is how to make the most of the opportunity to promote your political interests.
"Instead of doing anything constructive to help the protesting farmers, who are sitting outside your city for the past 17 days to seek justice, you and your party are busy playing politics," the Congress leader said.
Arvind Kejriwal has proved time and again that he is no friend of the farmers, he added.
Punjab Congress to hold dharna at Shambhu border on Monday
Punjab Congress will hold a dharna at Shambhu border from 11am to 3pm on Monday in support of farmers agitation. Congress workers and leaders will also hold district level dharnas throughout the state in front of the DC offices on Dec 14, 2020. State level rally would be organized by Punjab Congress which would also be participated Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and other national leaders and the date and venue of the same would be announced at Shambhu border on Monday.
Agriculture Minister targets Opposition parties over farmers' protest, says it has become their nature to opposeAs farmers' protest entered the third week, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday accused Opposition parties of running a propaganda against the new farm laws and asserted that these legislations "may cause difficulty for some in the short term" but will be beneficial to farmers in the long run.
Mr Tomar, who is leading negotiations with the 40 protesting farmer unions to break the deadlock, was addressing a delegation of over 100 farmers from Uttarakhand who came to extend their support to the laws.
Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary and Uttarakhand Education Minister Arvind Pandey were present in the meeting.
Addressing the delegation, Mr Tomar said the government faced opposition when it revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. It also faced opposition when it brought the amended citizenship law as well as over the Ram temple issue.
"In Democracy, Can't Bulldoze Your Way": Shashi Tharoor's Swipe At CentreHitting out at the Centre over farmers' protest against the three agriculture laws, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said that the government has failed the nation and the farmers.
Mr Tharoor joined the protest held by the party MPs from Punjab at Jantar Mantar on Sunday.
Heads of all farmer unions to observe hunger strike from 8 am to 5 pm on Monday: Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni at Singhu Border.
Farmer leaders hold press conferenceAll the groups associated with this movement will be on hunger strike for one day tomorrow. Tomorrow, there will be sit-in protests in the entire country.
Punjab Singer Gippy Grewal volunteerd at Singhu Border
Delhi-Jaipur highway partially reopens
The Delhi-Jaipur highway was shut down this afternoon as farmers started a tractor march from Shahjahanpur on the Rajasthan-Haryana border as part of their escalating 18-day protest against the Centre's contentious farm laws. One highway was opened as farmers removed blockade from the Delhi-Noida border at Chilla.
Farmers say their agitation will continue till the new laws are repealed
Farmers have fiercely opposed laws they say endangers their livelihoods; the centre says the laws will reform the agriculture sector.
Talks with the centre have so far failed, with neither side willing to budge; the farmers, thousands of whom braved lathi charges and tear gassing to reach and remain camped around Delhi borders, want the laws scrapped, while the centre will only consider amendments.
Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav and activist Medha Patkar were seen with a group of farmers near Shahjahanpur, holding up a large banner that read: "Dilli chalo, Dilli chalo, Samyukt Kisan Morcha".
Earlier today farmers began gathering in Rajasthan's Shahjahanpur district, which is around 120 km from Delhi. Visuals showed farmers carrying placards and shouting slogans as they walked slowly downc the highway. Tractors pulling tarpaulin-covered trailers, and flanked by cars with banners waved out of the windows, were also seen.
Delhi-Jaipur highway partially shut as farmers begin march
Haryana Police have closed the Delhi-Jaipur highway to traffic coming the Rajasthan state capital. The highway has been shut at the Rewari border crossing, which the farmers reportedly reached at around 2 PM.
Farmwr protest live updates: Shashi Tharoor joins protest held by party MPs from Punjab at Jantar Mantar
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor joins protest being held by party MPs from Punjab at Jantar Mantar.
"My friends here are asking the Centre to settle the matter with the farmers' unions and also to have winter session which should have been held by third week of November," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Farmer protests: On Saturday, Dushyant Chautala said breakthrough in deadlock is likely in next 24 to 48 hours
A breakthrough in deadlock over controversial legislations is likely in the next 24 to 48 hours, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, a BJP ally, said on Saturday in a surprising claim. "I'm hopeful that there will be talks between the centre and the farmers will be fruitful. I'm hopeful that in the next 24 to 48 hours, there will be a final round of talks and the two sides will reach a conclusive solution," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Farmers protest: Tikri, Dhansa borders remain closed for traffic
Tikri and Dhansa borders are still closed for traffic movement, while Jhatikara border is open only for two-wheelers and pedestrian movement, it said. Only one way open-going from Delhi towards Haryana is allowed at Jharoda.
Farmer protest live updates: Farmers protest at Singhu border enters 18th day
Farmers' protest at Singhu (Delhi-Haryana border) enters 18th day. A protester says, "I reached here last night. More farmers are coming from Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. 500 more trolleys will arrive here on 16th December."
Farmers Vow Delhi-Jaipur Blockade Today, Ignore PM's Message: 10 FactsThousands of farmers will take out a tractor rally to block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on Sunday, demonstrators protesting the centre's new agricultural laws said on Saturday, vowing to intensify their agitation despite a fresh message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the new legislations. Protesters will also hold a nationwide demonstration at all district offices on Monday and hold a hunger strike from 8 am to 5 pm, they said. Thousands of policemen were stationed near Delhi's borders to stop them from blocking major highways and taking over more roads into the capital. Defending the centre's reforms again, PM Modi on Saturday morning said: "We've taking all these initiatives to increase the farmers' income and make them more prosperous. Today, farmers of India can sell their produce both at the mandis, as well as outside.""
Farmer protests updates: 2nd Group Of Farmers Meet Agriculture Minister With "Letter Of Support"
A group of 29 farmer leaders from Haryana met Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday to show support to the new farm laws. The delegation led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Mann) leader Guni Prakash gave a "letter of support" to Mr Tomar on the farm laws passed by parliament in September.
"We will also protest if the government repeals the laws. We have given a memorandum to all districts," Mr Prakash told reporters after the meeting.
Farmers protest news: Farmers from Rajasthan and Haryana likely to march towards Delhi today
Farmers from Rajasthan and Haryana are likely to march towards the national capital today as part of their protest, on NH- 48. Police personnel have been deployed and the police has also prepared route diversion plans so that the public does not face inconvenience.
Thousands of farmers have been protesting at various border points of Delhi for over two weeks, demanding scrapping of the new farm laws.
On Saturday, over 4,000 policemen were deployed in Gurgaon and Haryana to stop the farmers from occupying highways. The laws are meant to bring reforms and increase farmers' income, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday in what was seen as a renewed assurance from the government.
Farmers protesting against Centre's farm laws have threatened to block the Jaipur-Delhi highway today as they pledge to intensify their agitation against the new farm laws which they want repealed. Today's rally will be followed by an all-India hunger strike on Monday when the demonstrators plan to hold protests at district offices.
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