The fifth round of talks between centre and farmers yielded no breakthrough.
The Congress has decided to support the Bharat bandh called on December 8 in support of the farmers protesting against the Centre's new agriculture laws. "Congress party has decided to support the Bharat bandh on December 8. We will be demonstrating the same at our party offices. It will be a step towards strengthening Rahul Gandhi''s support to the farmers. We will ensure that the demonstration is successful," party spokesperson Pawan Khera said.
The fifth round of talks held between the centre and farmers protesting the new farm laws yielded no breakthrough on Saturday. After the meeting Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said a new proposal would be placed before the farmers on Wednesday, when the next rounds of talks will take place.
Faced with the biggest farmers' agitation in recent years the centre has offered to amend sections of the laws, but the farmers, thousands of whom are camped out around Delhi's borders and have threatened a blockade of the national capital - insist they must be scrapped.
Farmers have called a nationwide shutdown on Tuesday, saying they will occupy all highway toll gates across the country and not allow the government to collect tolls as part of the December 8 strike.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protests:
Haryana health department to hold medical camps for protesting farmers: Anil VijHaryana's health department will organise medical camps for farmers protesting at various border points of Delhi against the three Central agri laws, state Health Minister Anil Vij said on Sunday.
Doctors will be present in these camps, he said, adding the Red Cross Society is providing services at the protest sites.
Health department officials from Sonipat said they have distributed medicines and masks among the farmers protesting at its inter-state borders with Delhi.
Ambulances and mobile toilet facilities have been stationed at various points and sanitisation work is being carried out regularly, they said.
Most of the protesters, which included many elderly and women, have been staying in tractor-trolleys which have been turned into temporary shelters.
Ashok Gehlot targets Modi government over farmer protestsRajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot targeted the Centre on Sunday over the ongoing protests by peasant organisations and said farmers are on the streets because of the Narendra Modi government''s "way of suppressing the people's voice rather than listening to them".
With his Congress party extending support to the ''Bharat Bandh'' call by the farmers, Gehlot said that when party leader Rahul Gandhi and Punjab CM Amarinder Singh took out a tractor rally in Punjab in support of the farmers, the Centre should have taken it seriously to avoid such a situation.
"Due to the way the NDA government works, farmers across the country have come on the streets today and have declared a ''Bharat Bandh''. The Modi government has taken away all constitutional traditions and democratic methods. Dialogue is most important in a democracy, but the government did not talk to the state governments and farmers organization on the new agricultural laws," he said in a statement.
Samajwadi Party decides to organise farmer rallies in all districts of UP on MondayThe Samajwadi Party will organise farmer rallies in all districts of Uttar Pradesh from December 7 with its chief Akhilesh Yadav slated to take part in such a rally in Kannauj district on a tractor, the party said in statement on Sunday.
The decision came after opposition parties, including many regional outfits such as the Samajwadi Party, came out in strong support of the ''Bharat Bandh'' on December 8 called by farmer unions which have been protesting on Delhi's borders for 11 days demanding the repeal of the Centre's new agri-marketing laws.
In the statement issued, the Samajwadi Party said the youth and farmers from different districts will take out anti-government rallies to inform people about the "bad policies" of the BJP government of the state.
Mr Yadav will travel on a tractor from Thathia to Tirwa, covering almost 13 kilometres.
RLP extends support to farmers' Bharat Bandh callThe Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), a constituent of the ruling NDA at the Centre, has extended its support to the call for Bharat Bandh on December 8 by farmer groups protesting against three recent farm sector laws.
RLP convenor and MP Hanuman Beniwal made the announcement on Sunday.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot also supported the Bharat Bandh call, saying that all should raise their voice for their rights.
"Farmers struggling for their rights have called for a Bharat Bandh on December 8. We all should raise our voice for the rights of farmers," Mr Pilot said in a tweet.
"The unsuccessful dialogue between the central government and the farmers is a sign that the BJP wants to hollow out India''s agricultural foundation," he added.
Talks between the government and protesting farmers remained inconclusive on Saturday even after five rounds of discussions as the union leaders stuck to their demand for the repeal of the new farm laws, forcing the Centre to call for another meeting on December 9 to resolve the deadlock.
Farmer leaders call for maximum participation in December 8 ''Bharat Bandh''Farmers camping at Singhu border protesting the Centre's new agri laws on Sunday sought maximum participation from all quarters in the ''Bharat Bandh'' called on December 8 and said over 250 farmers from Gujarat will be coming to the national capital to join the stir.
Farmer leaders at the border also welcomed the support extended by a number of political parties and called upon all others to come forward and support the ''Bharat Bandh'' on Tuesday.
"This agitation is not only of Punjab farmers but is of entire nation. We are going to strengthen our agitation and it has already spread across the nation. Since the government was not able to deal with us properly, we gave a call for ''Bharat Bandh''. During yesterday's meeting, even the ministers were upset with our call for ''Bharat bandh''," farmer leader Baldev Singh Yadav said at a press conference.
Farmers' stir: Narendra Singh Tomar to consult junior ministers
With the fifth round of talks between the Centre and farmers' unions remaining inconclusive, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will hold a meeting with Ministers of State Kailash Choudhary and Parshottam Rupala on Sunday.
Mr Tomar, during the fifth round of meeting with the farmers' representatives on Saturday, said that Agricultural Produce Market Committees will not be weakened and minimum support price will continue as he urged the farmer unions to give up their agitation and get their grievances addressed through talks.
The fifth round of talks was held with the representatives of 40 farmer unions held at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on Saturday.
The next round of talks will take place on December 9.
Akhilesh Yadav extends support to Bharat Bandh call against farm laws
As several opposition parties came out in support of farmers' agitation near Delhi border, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has extended his support to Bharat Bandh call against farm laws.
In a tweet, Mr Yadav said, "Farmers Bharat Bandh has the full support of Samajwadi Party."
Farmer unions have decided to intensify their agitation against the farm laws calling for Bharat Bandh on December 8 and stated that they were not satisfied with amendments being proposed by the government.
"Those who fill our stomach and are the backbone of our economy are being treated badly. Thousands of farmers are protesting in this cold winter near Delhi but there is no one to listen to them," Mr Yadav said in a press conference in Lucknow.
Gujarat Congress holds dharna against Centre's new farm lawsThe Gujarat Congress on Sunday organised a protest at Satyagrah Chhavni against the
Centre's three recent farm laws.
Congress leaders, who were part of the gathering that was capped at 50 people at a time as per the permission granted by authorities in view of the coronavirus outbreak, demanded that the Centre scrap these newly-introduced laws as they did not benefit farmers.
The Congress' Gujarat in charge Rajeev Satav and state unit leaders like Amit Chavda, Bharatsinh Solanki, Arjun Modhwadia, Paresh Dhanani and Hardik Patel were part of the dharna that was observed between 10am and 5pm.
Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda said the laws and protests against it nationwide had exposed the Narendra Modi government's anti-farmer policies and intention to hand over the agriculture sector to a handful of corporates.
Our NRI family members backing us, willing to send funds: Protesting farmersFarmers protesting on both sides of Delhi-Haryana border have asserted that they are self-sufficient in carrying on their agitation against the new farm laws, with some saying their NRI relatives have also extended support to sustain the momentum of the demonstration.
Drawn from several parts of Punjab, aggrieved farmers have converged on an unprecedented scale at Delhi's Singhu and Tikri borders, camping on roads and braving the cold at night to press for their demands.
The peasant have come to the protest site stocked up with fruits, vegetables and other household items, and local residents and volunteer groups, besides members of a gurudwara nearby Singhu Border have been offering supplies to replenish the stock.
Many farmers, who have been staying put at the site said their own families and others, who are non-resident Indians, have reached out and showed solidarity with the protesting peasants.
RJD, Congress organise march in Ranchi in support of protesting farmers
As the farmers' agitation against the new farm laws entered the 11th day on Sunday, several political parties in Jharkhand organised marches and demonstrations in support of farmers protesting at Sant Nirankari Samagam ground in Burari on the outskirts of Delhi and other border areas.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and other parties protested in Ranchi in support of farmers protesting against agricultural laws.
They started the march from Ranchi University Campus and staged a demonstration on Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi.
NCP supports ''Bharat bandh'' called by farmers on December 8The NCP on Sunday joined other opposition parties in extending support to the ''Bharat Bandh''
called on December 8 by farmer unions which have been protesting on Delhi''s borders for 11 days demanding repeal of the Centre's new agri-marketing laws.
Maharashtra NCP unit president Jayant Patil said in a statement that the party workers will join the Tuesday shutdown in protest against passing of the agri laws by Parliament without holding discussions.
"The ongoing talks between farmers and the Centre have failed due to which farmers'' organisations have given a call for a Bharat bandh on December 8. The Maharashtra NCP will
support the bandh," Mr Patil stated.
Cong, AIUDF among 14 opposition parties of Assam pledging support to farmer unions ''Bharat bandh''Altogether 14 opposition parties, including Congress, AIUDF and the Left, in Assam on Sunday
announced their "full support" to the ''Bharat Bandh'' called on December 8 by farmer unions demanding repeal of the new farm laws.
Ruling BJP's ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) also extended their support to the struggle of farmers, but refrained from joining hands for the nationwide shutdown.
Issuing a joint statement, the parties alleged that farmers in Assam will also be badly affected due to the three laws, which were made to benefit the corporate sector only.
"If the agriculture sector goes in the hands of corporates, then there is a possibility of danger to the food security programme of the government. During BJP rule, the farmers have not got their due from the produce," the statement said.
Farmers should agree on mid-way solution: JD(U)
Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad on Sunday suggested that the protesting farmers should agree on a mid-way solution to support the country''s economy.
"Agriculture is an important field that can help to solve the economic problems of the country. Both the parties should agree on a middle path," Mr Ranjan said.
He added the Centre is very serious about the farmers'' protest. "The government has cleared its stand that if any amendment is needed in the newly enacted laws (against which the farmers are protesting), it will come up with a new draft. The Centre will also talk to the states if needed," he said.
Farmers roots of our business: ITTA, Delhi Goods Transport Association extend support to ''Bharat Bandh''
The Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) and Delhi Goods Transport Association have given a call for strike on December 8 in the national capital in solidarity with farmers'' call of ''Bharat Bandh''.
"A total of 51 unions decided to support farmers. Farming and transporting are like two sons of a father," said Satish Sherawat, chief of ITTA.
"We are supporting our farmer brothers. They are the roots of our business," said Parmeet Singh Goldie, president, Delhi Goods transport Association.
The farmers are protesting on various borders of the national capital since November 26. Five rounds of talks bwtween farmer leaders and central government have been held in the national capital. The next round of talk is scheduled for December 9.
Akali Dal extends support to farmers' call for Bharat Bandh on Dec 8
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday extended his party''s support to the December 8 Bharat Bandh call given by the farmers who are protesting against the farm laws.
Badal posted a video on Twitter and urged Punjabis to extend support to Bharat Bandh.
"For the last 11 days, farmers are protesting at Delhi borders peacefully. They are braving the cold. Farmers have decided to give a call for Bharat Bandh. I urge all Punjabis to extend their support to this on December 8. It is a fight of all Annadata in the country against the central government and I hope that government will accept our demands," he said.
"For the past three months, SAD and other parties are requesting the central government to withdraw the three black laws. They are knowingly delaying the repeal of these laws. Our workers will also work wholeheartedly to make this Bharat Bandh a complete success and ensure repeal of the anti-farmer agricultural laws," he added.
Ashok Gehlot says Congress supports 'Bharat Bandh'Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said that the Congress supports the ''Bharat Bandh'' call given by farmers on December 8 against the new agri laws.
"Congress party supports ''Bharat Bandh'' in favour of farmers on 8th December," Mr Gehlot said in a tweet.
He said that former party chief Rahul Gandhi has been an ardent supporter of farmers and every Congress worker stands with him in taking this cause of farmers to every corner of the nation.
TRS to support Bharat bandh on December 8
TRS Member of Legislative Council (MLC) K Kavitha on Sunday announced that her party will support the Bharat bandh on December 8 called by the agitating farmers.
Opposing the new farm laws, the TRS leader, who is the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, said that the minimum support price (MSP) has not been assured in the legislation. She claimed that farmer is insecure because if mandi structure is dismantled there is no alternative structure in this country.
"The TRS had opposed the Bills in Parliament and will continue to do so," Ms Kavitha said.
Meanwhile, Mr Rao in a press release on Sunday announced the party's total support to the nationwide bandh call. He said that the TRS rank and file would participate actively in the proposed bandh.
Farmers' protest day 11: Delhi Traffic remains affected due to closed borders
As the ongoing farmers'' agitation entered the eleventh day, the traffic movement remained affected in the national capital region on Sunday morning with multiple borders between Delhi and neighbouring states still closed for commuters.
Delhi Traffic Police on Sunday appealed to citizens to take alternative routes as along with Singhu, Auchandi, Piao Maniyari, Mangesh borders, Tikri, and Jharoda borders are closed for all kinds of traffic movement. NH 44 is also closed from both sides.
The traffic police said Jhatikara border is open only for two-wheeler traffic, while the Badusarai border is open only for light motor vehicles like cars and two-wheelers.
Commuters coming from Haryana are advised to take alternate routes via Safiabad, Saboli, NH8/Bhopra/Apsara borders/ Peripheral expressway.
Available open borders between Delhi and Haryana are-- Dhansa, Daurala, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar, and Dundahera.
The farmers are protesting against the Farmers'' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
"Will continue protest till issues resolved," says farmers camping at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border
Elderly farmers from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh who are participating in the ongoing protests at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border near Gazipur against the three agriculture sector laws said on Sunday that they were neither afraid of Covid-19, nor death and will not end the agitation till their issues are resolved.
Kalu Ram an 83-year-old farmer from Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh said he''s protesting to protect the rights of his children, and all farmers are united in their fight against the three laws passed by the government.
"How can I sit at home and leave my children alone who are protesting here. We have no groups in this fight, our issues are one and we are all one. If we die here, it is okay. May God give wisdom to the government to take these laws back. If our demands are not addressed, we will sit in Ramlila Maidan with our tractors and our animals," said Kalu Ram.
Delhi Traffic Police Suggests Alternative Routes To Enter, Exit City Amid Farmers Protest
The Delhi Traffic Police took to Twitter to inform commuters about alternative routes open for travelling to the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
It advised those commuting to Delhi to come via the DND instead of Noida Link road. Chilla border on Noida link road is closed for traffic from Noida to Delhi due to the farmers' protest near Gautam Budh Dwar.
Congress To Support Bharat Bandh, Says SpokerpersonThe Congress has decided to support the Bharat bandh called on December 8 in support of the farmers protesting against the Centre''s new agriculture laws.
Speaking at a press conference, party spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "Congress party has decided to support the Bharat bandh on December 8. We will be demonstrating the same at our party offices. It will be a step towards strengthening Rahul Gandhi''s support to the farmers. We will ensure that the demonstration is successful."
Had requested government to send farm bill to Select Committee: Sharad Pawar
NCP chief Sharad Pawar that the government had passed the farm law despite objections raised by his party. "When Bill was being passed, we'd requested government that they shouldn't be in a hurry, it should be sent to Select Committee and a discussion is needed, but that didn't happen and the Bill was passed in haste. Now government is facing problems because of that haste," Mr Pawar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI
Farmers March in Delhi LIVE Updates: Delhi Traffic Police suggests alternative routes to enter, exit city
With farmers protesting against the new farm laws staying put at the national capital's gateways, the Delhi Traffic Police on Sunday advised people to take alternative routes for entering and exiting the city.
The Delhi Traffic Police took to Twitter to inform commuters about alternative routes open for travelling to the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
It advised those commuting to Delhi to come via the DND instead of Noida Link road. Chilla border on Noida link road is closed for traffic from Noida to Delhi due to the farmers'' protest near Gautam Budh Dwar.
"The Ghazipur border on NH 24 is closed for traffic from Ghaziabad to Delhi due to farmers'' protests. People are advised to avoid NH 24 for coming to Delhi and use Apsara/Bhopra/DND for coming to Delhi," it tweeted.
Elderly farmers at Delhi's Gazipur border say will continue protest till issues resolved
Elderly farmers from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh who are participating in the ongoing protests at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border near Gazipur against the three agriculture sector laws said on Sunday that they were neither afraid of Covid-19, nor death and will not end the agitation till their issues are resolved.
Kalu Ram an 83-year-old farmer from Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh said he's protesting to protect the rights of his children, and all farmers are united in their fight against the three laws passed by the government.
"How can I sit at home and leave my children alone who are protesting here. We have no groups in this fight, our issues are one and we are all one. If we die here, it is okay. May God give wisdom to the government to take these laws back. If our demands are not addressed, we will sit in Ramlila Maidan with our tractors and our animals," said Kalu Ram.
Farmers Protest Updates: Congress backs farmers' "Bharat Bandh" call, will hold demonstrations across country on December 8
The Congress on Sunday expressed its "whole-hearted" support to the ''Bharat Bandh'' called on December 8 by farmer unions against the new agri-marketing laws and announced that it will hold protests that day at all district and state headquarters in solidarity with the demands of the farmers.
Addressing the media at the AICC headquarters here, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "I would also like to announce that the Congress party extends its whole-hearted support to the Bharat Bandh on December 8."
"All our district headquarters and Pradesh headquarters will participate in this bandh. They will hold demonstrations and ensure that the bandh is successful," Mr Khera said.
Farmers Protest News: TRS lends total support to farmers'' call for ''Bharat Bandh'' on December 8
Telangana Chief Minister and TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday extended total support to the Bharat Bandh on December 8 called by farmers protesting against the new agriculture laws.
In a statement today the Chief Minister appealed to party workers to make the December 8 bandh called by farmers successful in Telangana.
He said that the TRS rank and file would participate actively in the proposed Bandh.
KCR described as just the agitation of farmers against the Centre''s farm laws and recalled the TRS had raised its voice against them in Parliament.
Farmers at Haryana-Delhi border
Sikh-Americans hold protest rallies in US cities against farm laws in India
Hundreds of Sikh-Americans have held peaceful protest rallies in several cities across the US in support of the Indian farmers who have been protesting against the new agricultural reforms in India.
A large car caravan of protesters from various parts of California blocked the traffic on the Bay Bridge on Saturday as they moved towards the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, while several hundreds gathered in downtown Indianapolis.
The protesters at both the places demanded the new laws be repealed, saying they would push Indian farmers towards poverty and give the corporate sectors a monopoly.
Farmer protests enters Day 11
Farmers continue to camp at Delhi-Haryana border in Tikri to protest against the farm laws; security personnel remain deployed.
During the fifth round of talks between the government and protesting farmers in Delhi, the farmers' representatives asked the Centre to give a point-wise written reply of the last meeting, to which the government agreed. Farmers, during the talks at Vigyan Bhawan, said that they need a solution or commitment. Farm leaders have said that they will end their protests only after the government promises a "complete rollback" of the controversial farm laws.
To know about yesterday's updates on farmer protests, click
here