Farmers' Protests Today: The protest has entered the ninth day.
Talks between three union ministers and a representative group of thousands of agitating farmers failed to yield any resolution on Thursday, as the union leaders stuck to their demand for the repeal of new farm laws and even refused the lunch, tea, and water offered to them during almost eight-hour-long hectic parleys.
On its part, the government assured the group of nearly 40 farmer leaders that all their valid concerns would be addressed, but the other side flagged several loopholes and deficiencies in the laws, which they said were passed hastily in September.
The Agriculture Ministry tweeted that doubts of farmers were addressed by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who led the government side at the talks.
Narendra Singh Tomar told reporters that the next meeting will take place on Saturday at 2 pm.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protests:
Amarinder Singh On Farmers' Protest: Kejriwal Lies, Khattar ThrashesPunjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday took on his counterparts from Delhi and Haryana - Arvind Kejriwal and Manohar Lal Khattar - on their actions amid the farmers' movement against the new central laws, saying that while one had the habit of lying, the other resorted to violence.
500 farmers protest in Haryana's Palwal, block one lane of Delhi-Agra highwayAround 500 farmers belonging to Bundelkhand region reached Palwal in Haryana and started a protest on the Delhi-Agra national highway, the group's national president Vimal Kumar Sharma said.
A group of 500 farmers belonging to the Bundelkhand region had started from Banda district to join the farmers protest against the new farm laws in the national capital, Mr Sharma said on phone from Palwal.
Farm reforms "not done in a jiffy", says Nirmala Sitharaman Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the farm reform legislations were brought in after elaborate stakeholder consultations and a lot of homework, and will benefit farmers.
Asserting that the reforms were not done in a jiffy, she said the agriculture minister is meeting farmers with an open mind and hoped that a solution will be found soon.
"Between 2014-2020, we have proven that we take MSP (Minimum Support Price) seriously," she said.
Ms Sitharaman said that the agriculture ministry has gone through the process of talking to stakeholders and these are the things that have been in discussions for very long time. "Many Parliamentary committees have also discussed some aspects... it is not something which is just done in a jiffy. They have gone through the grind for sometime."
Delhi "held hostage" through farmers' protests: BJP leader writes to PresidentAmid the ongoing protests by farmers on Delhi borders, BJP leader Kapil Mishra asked President Ram Nath Kovind to take steps to provide respite to Delhi residents who he claimed were being "held hostage" through protests.
In his letter to President Kovind, Kapil Mishra said workers of many political parties have held Delhi hostage for many days.
Interstate bus services of Delhi Transport Corporation suspended amid farmers' protest: OfficialInterstate buses of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) have not been plying since November 27 due to the farmers' protest against the Centre's new farm laws at the borders of the city, a senior official said.
The DTC's interstate services, mainly to Gurgaon and Bahadurgarh, were suspended after the start of the farmers' protest at the borders on November 27, the official said.
Due to demonstration by farmers, most borders with other states have been closed for traffic movement. Accordingly some routes have been diverted by the DTC as advised by area Traffic Police, said RS Minhas, deputy chief general manager (PR) of DTC.
Protesting farmers call for "Bharat Bandh" on December 8Hardening their position ahead of the fifth round of talks with the government, agitating farmers announced a "Bharat Bandh" on December 8 and said they would occupy toll plazas on that day.
Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chadoni said if the Centre does not accept their demands during Saturday's talks, they will intensify their agitation against the new farm laws.
"In our meeting today, we have decided to give a 'Bharat Bandh' call on December 8 during which we will also occupy all toll plazas," said Harvinder Singh Lakhwal, another farmer leader.
Congress leader asks Haryana Governor to call special Assembly session to discuss farmers' issueCongress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has urged Haryana Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya to call a special session of assembly to discuss issues related to farmers amid their protest.
"Haryana governor is requested to convene a special Assembly session and discuss the problem of farmers," Mr Hooda said.
He said Congress will bring a no-confidence motion against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Haryana government in the assembly as it has "lost the trust of the people".
Amarinder Singh behaving like a BJP Chief Minister, says Manish SisodiaHitting out at Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for speaking on the lines of Bharatiya Janata Party over the ongoing farmers' protest, AAP leader Manish Sisodia alleged that the former is behaving like a BJP Chief Minister.
Mr Sisodia's response comes a day after Mr Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged the Centre to rethink its stand on the legislations while appealing to the farmers to find an early solution to the problem that was adversely impacting the "economy of the state and also posing a serious danger to national security".
Mr Sisodia said: "Captain Amarinder Singh met BJP leaders yesterday and is now defending BJP. He is saying that the farmers' agitation is a danger to national security. The Punjab Chief Minister is behaving like a BJP Chief Minister. He is speaking on the lines of BJP."
Rashtriya Janata Dal to protest in support of farmers
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav said the party will protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Bihar, to express support for farmers' protest against the Centre's new farm laws.
"Farmers should get fair prices. MSP should have been mentioned in the legislation. Everyone in the country is upset with this government," Mr Yadav said.
Farmers Protest: Farmers Plan Next Steps Amid Deadlock, Round 3 Talks With Centre Tomorrow
40 farmer leaders are holding a meeting at one of the Delhi-Haryana borders to discuss follow-up actions after Thursday's meeting with the government failed to end the deadlock over the contentious new farm laws. The farmer representatives stuck to their demand for the repeal of the laws and even refused lunch, tea and water offered to them during almost seven-hour-long meeting in central Delhi.
Read Here Farmers Protest LIVE: Mamata Banerjee Expresses Solidarity With Farmers
Recalling her 26-day long hunger strike against the forceful acquisition of agricultural land in 2006, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday expressed her solidarity with the protesting farmers against the three farm laws passed by the Centre. "14 years ago on 4 Dec 2006, I began my 26-day hunger strike in Kolkata demanding that agricultural land cannot be forcefully acquired. I express my solidarity with all farmers who are protesting against draconian farm bills (now laws) passed without consultation by Centre #StandWithFarmers," the West Bengal Chief Minister tweeted.
Farmers Protest Updates: India Protests Trudeau's Remarks On Farmers' Agitation
India, on Friday, summoned the Canadian High Commissioner and informed that comments by the country's parliamentarians, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on ongoing farmers' protest in Delhi could have "seriously damaging impact" on bilateral ties. Speaking at an event to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak on Monday, Mr Trudeau had weighed in on the matter.
Farmers Protest Updates: Punjab Farmers Have Brought Modi Government To Its Knees, Says Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena on Friday said that the farmers from Punjab have brought the Modi government to its knees through their protest against the new farm laws and the world has taken note of the unity shown by them. The party also urged the Centre to hear out the demands of the protesting farmers.
Farmers Protest in Delhi Today: Sukhdev Dhindsa Returns Padma Bhushan Award
Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) Chief and rebel Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Friday returned the Padma Bhushan award to "express solidarity" and "protest against the treatment" meted out to farmers protesting at the borders of Delhi against the recent farm laws. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, in a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, said the people of his state and community are facing a vilification campaign and hostile attitude, which he said can further lead to the unleashing of a hate campaign against them with dangerous consequences.
BJP Selling Farmers' Rights To Corporate Houses Through Farm Laws: Trinamool Congress
The Trinamool Congress on Friday expressed its ire against the "draconian" farm bills, which it alleged were passed without consultation with stakeholders and accused the BJP of selling farmers' rights to corporate houses. A TMC delegation will soon meet the agitating farmers
in Haryana, party sources said.
Farmers not being allowed to put their flags on the Delhi-Meerut expressway.
Farmers Protest Updates: Entry To Delhi From Delhi-Meerut Expressway Has Been Blocked
The entry to Delhi from the Delhi-Meerut Expressway has been blocked as farmers from different parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand continue their sit-in. Another key route in east Delhi, connecting the capital to Noida, too has been partially closed for the fourth straight day to the protests. The DND flyway and the Sarita Vihar road are the alternate routes to Noida that are open.
At Thursday's meeting, the farmers' representatives made a 39-point presentation on the inadequacies of the contentious new farm laws, after which the government gave its views. At the lunch break during the meeting, farmers refused to have the food offered by the government. "They offered us food, we denied and are sticking to our langar which we have brought with us," a farmer leader said.
Farmers Protest LIVE: Food Being Prepared At Singhu Border
Farmers Protest Updates: 40 Farmer Leaders Are Holding A Meeting At Singhu Border
40 farmer leaders are holding a meeting at one of the Delhi-Haryana borders to discuss follow-up actions after Thursday's meeting with the government failed to end the deadlock over the contentious new farm laws. The seven-hour meeting between the Centre and farmers on Thursday failed to end the deadlock, with farmers' representatives saying nothing less than scrapping of the contentious laws will satisfy them.
Gazipur border on NH-24 is closed for traffic from Gaziabad to Delhi due to farmers protests.
Farmers Protest LIVE: Nashik Farmers' Organisations Protest Against New Farm Laws
Several farmers' organisations on Thursday held a protest in Nashik city of Maharashtra against the new farm laws brought by the Centre. The organisations, including Shetkari Samanvay Samiti, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Prahar, Janshakti, Chhava and Krantiveer, held demonstrations at the district collectorate in Nashik to express their solidarity with the farmers agitating in New Delhi.
Farmers Protest Latest News: Ghazipur Border Closed for Traffic
Farmers Protest Updates: Tikri, Jharoda Borders Closed For Any Traffic Movement
Farmers Protest: Farmers Refuse Lunch At Meet With Government
Representatives of the farmers' organisations which are having a crucial meeting with the government, refused to break bread with the three participating Union ministers on Thursday. At the lunch break, farmers said "no" to the food offered by the government and stuck to the langar, which was brought in by a waiting van. Visuals from inside Vigyan Bhawan, where the meeting is being held, showed the farmers' representatives assembled at a long table for a hurried lunch. Some sat on the ground in a quiet corner.
Farmers Protest Updates: Speculations About Closure Of Mandis, Support Price System Misleading, Says Shivraj Singh
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the speculations about the closure of mandis and support price system are misleading and untrue and farmers should not pay attention to such speculations. Families occupying one-two acres of agricultural land in the state for 50 years will be given pattas. Online arrangements will be made soon for all land-related records, the Chief Minister stated.
"Back Off From Rigid Stand, Listen To Farmers": Harsimrat Kaur To Centre
Half the protest of farmers will be over if the minimum price guaranteed by the government (MSP) is made a right by law, Akali Dal's Harsimrat Kaul Badal said on Thursday, questioning, "What's wrong in giving the people what they are asking for". The government, she said, had missed the bus for resolving the issue before it blew up and now, instead of "standing on its ego", it should "listen to the farmers and bring in a bill which would be welcomed by all".
Read Here Members of Civilian Welfare Charitable Trust distributed medicines to protesting farmers stationed at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border), earlier today.