Khaps Of Haryana Support Farmers' Protest, Will Come To Delhi

The khaps  -- community organisations -- of Haryana have unanimously decided to support the farmers' protest. The decision was taken at a meeting of the chiefs of 30 khaps in Rohtak. Their representatives, under the banner of "sarv khap", said they would gather tomorrow and proceed towards Delhi to join the protesters. Delhi's Palam khap had also taken part in the meeting.

Khap leaders said their members will take care of accommodation, food, medicines and water. They will also ensure protection of the women protesters who have come from Punjab. The schedule of khap leaders reaching the protest site is yet to be decided.

The Independent MLA from Dadri, Sombir Sangwan, who supports the BJP-JJP government, has quit his post as the chairman of the Livestock Development Board in protest.

"We request the Centre to reconsider the farm laws. Everyone has the right to express themselves," Mr Sangwan, who is also a Khap Pradhan from Haryana, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The khap leaders have called upon the Central government to immediately hold talks with farmers and resolve the issue.

"During winter, thousands of farmers are on roads. The government must immediately talk to them and resolve the issue," Mr Sangwan said.

Late on Monday evening, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar called the farmers for a meeting at 3 pm on Tuesday, citing the plunging mercury and coronavirus.

"On November 13, we had decided that we will meet on December 3, but farmers are in a mood to protest," Union minister Narendra Tomar said. "It is cold and there is coronavirus. Hence we invite the kisan union heads to Vigyan Bhawan on December 1 at 3 pm. We request you to leave the protest and find a solution through discussion," he added.

The meeting was earlier scheduled to be held on December 3. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said if the farmers wanted an early meeting, they would have to shift their protest to a designated site at Delhi's Burari.

The farmers had refused, saying they have proof that it is "an open jail".

"The Delhi Police told the Uttarakhand Farmers' Association chief that they'll take them to Jantar Mantar, but instead locked them at Burari Park," Surjeet Phul, Bharatiya Kisan Union president, had said. The farmers had also said the government should not put pre-conditions and come "with an open heart".

More farmers from Punjab are expected to reach Delhi borders by Tuesday. The farmers' organisations said they had waited for Gurpurab to be over before setting out for Delhi. Thousands of farmers have gathered at the Delhi borders at Singhu and Tikri.