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:
The 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.
As farmers intensify their protest against the Centre's three farm laws, Union Minister Kailash Choudhary on Sunday said the government will soon decide a date and call union leaders for the next round of talks.
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.
Hitting 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.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday stated that stern action will be taken against nation breakers "Tukde Tukde Gang" trying to take advantage of farmers movement against the new farm laws.
Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav today joined protesting farmers at a rally on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, which has been partially blocked, and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for offering a "gift" that farmers don't want.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday 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.
Ministers have described the protesters against the Farm Laws as Khalistanis; agents of Pakistan and China; Maoists; and, the latest, tukde tukde gang
- P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 13, 2020
"Amit Shah admitted law without consultation was a mistake": Farmer leader Shiv Kumar Kakka to NDTV pic.twitter.com/Hno7edoUK8
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 13, 2020
Rajasthan: Security personnel put barricades near Jaisinghpur-Khera border (Rajasthan-Haryana).#FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/Br4Q0XxmpI
- ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2020
Farmers vow to intensify agitation against farm laws#FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/BJYviRTXbs
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 13, 2020
Thousands 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.""
Delhi: Twin brothers from Punjab distribute warm clothes to protesters at Ghazipur as protest enters day 16 here.
- ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2020
One of them Karanveer says,"Who likes to be on streets? It's time for struggle. I'm fan of Modi ji,I'm sure he'll understand country can't progress without farmers." pic.twitter.com/aWxNTQcd48