Farmers' protest highlights: Govt's ego problem coming in way of resolving issues, says farmer union leader

A stalemate continued on January 4 between the government and a representative group of thousands of protesting farmers, as the unions stuck to their demand for the repeal of three farm laws right from the beginning of the meeting even as the ministers listed various benefits of the Acts. Protesting farmers who have been camping at Delhi borders for the last 40 days braving the bone-chilling cold and now rains have threatened to intensify their protest if their two major demands — repeal of the three new farm laws and legal backing for the minimum support price (MSP) — are not accepted by the government. The farmer unions have said they will take out a tractor parade towards Delhi on January 26, Republic Day, if their demands are not met. Farmer leaders protesting at Delhi’s Singhu border have also said they will celebrate the festival of Lohri on January 13 by burning copies of newly introduced agriculture laws. Stay tuned on DH for more latest updates.

Sukhbir slams Centre for 'misusing' Punjab Governor's office

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday accused the Centre of misusing the office of the Punjab Governor by summoning the state's top officers for explanations.

Badal also asked the Governor not to become a "mouthpiece" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh too had taken a strong exception to the Governor summoning the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police instead of seeking a report directly from him, as home minister, on the law and order situation.

Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore had on December 30 decided to summon the CS and the DGP while taking a serious note of vandalism of over 1,600 mobile towers during the ongoing protests of farmers against the Centre's new agri laws.

Farmers block traffic on Hoshiarpur-Chandigarh road

Members of various farmer and labour organisations on Monday blocked the traffic on the Hoshiarpur-Chandigarh road, protesting the registration of a case against some people who allegedly unloaded cow dung in front of BJP leader Tikshan Sud’s residence a few days ago.

Protesters demanded the withdrawal of the case, saying police had registered a "false" case.

The call for the protest was given by the Joint Kisan Morcha.

The protesters, led by farmer leaders Gurpal Singh Mali, Satnam Singh Sahni and Kuldip Singh Raipur, staged a dharna in front of the district administrative complex and blocked the traffic on the road for over four hours.

AAP leader compares police action on farmers to Jallianwala episode, calls Khattar Gen Dyer

AP's Punjab unit co-incharge Raghav Chadha on Monday compared Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar to British General Reginald Dyer, a day after the state police fired teargas shells on a group of farmers protesting the Centre's new farm laws.

Haryana Police on Sunday evening fired teargas canisters to thwart a march of a group of agitating farmers towards Delhi at Masani barrage in Rewari district.

"I was reminded of April 13, 1919, when General Dyer ordered opening fire on innocent group of people who had congregated at Jallianwala Bagh,"Chadha said.

"Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is ordering the use of tear gas, open firing and lathicharge on our farmer brothers who are only fighting for their rights. I believe his actions can only be compared to those of the ruthless General Dyer," Chadha said, referring to the officer held responsible for the massacre.

NSUI's cycle rally begins against Centre's new farm laws

The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) on Monday started a cycle rally against the Centre's three new farm laws.

The rally, which was flagged off by Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief Govind Singh Dotasra and other leaders at Amar Jawan Jyoti in Jaipur, is scheduled to culminate in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Led by NSUI national president Neeraj Kundan, the rally is being participated by hundreds of members of the Congress' students' wing.

35 Panjab University students write to CJI, seek probe into police atrocities

Thirty-five students of Panjab University have written to Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde and other judges of the Supreme Court seeking an inquiry into alleged police atrocities on the farmers protesting at Delhi borders against the three farm laws.

Aanchal Sawa, one of the signatories of the letter, told PTI that the apex court registry has provided the diary number to the letter which may be registered and heard as a PIL.

In the open letter, the students of the Centre for Human Rights and Duties of the university have alleged that there has been “illegitimate use of water cannons, tear gases shells and lathis on peaceful protesting farmers” by police authorities which needs to be probed.

We will pass anti-farmer bill resolution in Assembly, says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Tractors to Twitter: How farmers are protesting on highways, online

In a standoff between farmers and the government that has convulsed the country, the farmers have a 21st-century ally: a handful of supporters scattered around the world running a Twitter handle.

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Protesting farmer turns his truck into home at Singhu border

As farmer protests in Delhi against three contentious farm laws entered their second month, thousands of farmers have made the highway their homes, helping each other sustain by maintaining a supply of essentials from their villages back in Punjab and Haryana. But one farmer at the Singhu border has set up a fully equipped temporary home in his truck.

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Reliance's affidavit in Punjab, Haryana HC full of false claims: Farmers' body

Hours after Reliance approached the Punjab and Haryana HC against the damage to its cellular infrastructure and forcible closure of its stores, a pan-India farmers' body said the affidavit filed by the firm in the court is full of "false" claims.

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Congress offers aid to kin of farmers who died during protests

Haryana Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Monday said the Congress Legislature Party will provide financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to families of farmers who have died during the agitation against the Centre’s farm laws.

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We will discuss only MSP issue and repeal of laws; Govt's ego problem coming in way of resolving issues: Union leader Balbir Singh Rajewal

Looking at today's discussion, I hope that we will have a meaningful discussion during our next meeting and we will come to a conclusion: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar

(ANI)

"Govt is under tremendous pressure. We all said that this is our demand (repeal of the laws). We don't want discussion on any other topic except for on repeal of the laws. Protests will not be withdrawn until repeal of laws."

Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha

(ANI)

The meeting between agitating farmer leaders and government concludes at Vigyan Bhawan. Next round of talks to be held at 2 pm on January 8.

(ANI)

The two sides got back together to resume their discussions at around 5.15 pm.

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, who is participating in the meeting, told PTI over the phone during the break that the first hour of discussion remained focussed on the three laws.

"Our demand is the repeal of the laws. We will not agree to any alternatives such as the setting of the committee," he said.

Asked if there could be a concrete outcome from the meeting, Tikait said, "I don't think so. They have to take back the laws for us to end the protest and go back to our homes."

The first hour of talks focussed only on the three laws and the other key demand of farmers for a legal guarantee to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement system did not come up for discussions.

The break continued for more than an hour with no signs of any breakthrough as the government also remained firm on not repealing the laws and is believed to have suggested a panel to take the matter forward.

Unlike the last round of talks on December 30, the ministers did not join the union leaders for the langar food and were seen having their own discussion in a separate room during the break.

Farmers take cover from the rain during their ongoing protest against new farm laws, at Singhu border, in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

Farmers won't lose land under new farm laws: Vyapari board chief

The apprehension that farmers may lose their land under the Centre’s farm laws is baseless, BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh Vyapaari Kalyan Board Chairman Ravi Kant Garg said on Monday.

The former state minister claimed that the agriculture reforms introduced by the Centre will safeguard farmers’ land. The transfer, sale and mortgaging of farmers’ land during the process of signing any agreement has been strictly prohibited, he said.

(PTI)

Farmers' representatives have food during the lunch break at Vigyan Bhawan where the government is holding talks with farmers on three farm laws.

Union ministers meet farmer groups to break deadlock over farm laws

The seventh round of talks between protesting farmer unions and three central ministers got underway here on Monday afternoon to break the over-a-month-long deadlock on recent farm laws.

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Arvind Kejriwal backs repeal of farm laws

The seventh round of talks between the agitating farmers and government begin with homage to the farmers who died during the 40-day agitation.

Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash along with government officials and representatives of farmers observe a two-minute silence for farmers who died during the ongoing protest.

(ANI)

Three Union ministers begin seventh round of talks with representatives of farmer groups over agri laws

A delegation of farmer leaders arrive at Vigyan Bhawan for talks with Union Government on the three Farm Laws "We hope there is a breakthrough in this meeting in the new year," says a farmer leader.

I am hopeful that we will find a positive solution today. We will discuss all issues in the meeting: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on today's talks with farmers.

It is up to the government whether it wants to solve the farmers' problems or conspire against the farmers to fizzle out their struggle. We hope govt will take a human approach towards the farmers: Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha ahead of today's talks with government.

Farm stir: RIL seeks govt help to stop attacks on telecom infrastructure in Punjab, Haryana

Oil-to-telecoms conglomerate Reliance Industries on Mondayasked for theurgent intervention ofgovernment authoritiesto stop the vandalism of its telecom infrastructure by protesting farmers and sympathisers.

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Haryana CM Khattar is like General Dyer, says AAP leader Raghav Chadha

Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar sahab like General Dyer is allowing to fire upon farmers and using tear gas against them. Are the country's farmers our enemies? Are they Army personnel of China or Pakistan? It's shameful: Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha.

So far, 60 farmers have lost their lives during the protest. One farmer is dying every 16 hours. It is the responsibility of the government to answer: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bharatiya Kisan Union at Gazipur border.

Reliance owns no agricultural land and has no plans to engage in corporate or contract farming, says the company

Reliance Industries in a statement claims that it has nothing to do with the newly implemented farm laws, adding that it has not done any corporate or contract farming and has no plans of entering the business.

It also said that it has not purchased any agricultural land anywhere in India for the purpose.

The company said that it will insist on its suppliers to strictly abide by the Minimum Support Price mechanism, and/or any other mechanism for remunerative price for farm produce, as may be determined and implemented by the government.

Hope farmers gets justice, will be relief to all: Dharmendra

Ahead of the seventh round of talks between the central government and protesting farmer unions, veteran actor and former MP Dharmendra on Monday said he prays with all his heart that the farmers agitating against the three farm laws get justice today.

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Several roads remain closed in Delhi due to farmers protest, traffic continues to be hit

Along with my fellow citizens my heart is deeply saddened to see our annadatta struggling for their demands in the bitter cold on the borders of Delhi for the last 39 days, says Congress President Sonia Gandhi

Security force is deployed on the border in view of protests by farmers running on the Singhu border against farm laws.

Children sit near a brazier to keep themselves warm near the farmer's protest site at Ghazipur Border. Credit: PTI Photo

Tractors to Twitter: How farmers are protesting on highway, online

In a standoff between farmers from the nation's northern breadbasket and the government that has convulsed the country, the farmers have a 21st-century ally: a handful of supporters scattered around the world running a Twitter handle.

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Our demands are the same as before-repeal the three farm laws and guarantee MSP. If our demands aren't met, then, we'll hold tractor march on January 6 and also on January 26: Sukhwinder S Sabra, Joint Secy, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab ahead of seventh round of talks with government.

Seventh round of talks between Centre, farmers today; two key demands on the table

Protesting farmers who have been camping at Delhi borders for the last 39 days braving the bone-chilling cold and now rains have threatened to intensify their protest if their two major demands -- repeal of the three new farm laws and legal backing for the minimum support price (MSP) -- are not accepted by the government in the January 4 meeting.

Read more

Nationalism not giving speeches from Nagpur: Sachin Pilot

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Sunday appeared to target the RSS and said the nationalism was about the welfare of farmers and not giving speeches from Nagpur.

"If we talk about the welfare of farmers then it is real nationalism. It is not nationalism when they deliver speeches from Nagpur wearing half-pants," Pilot said without naming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The former Rajasthan deputy chief minister said the BJP is “pushing farmers into darkness” with the new agriculture laws.

Many issues are to be discussed. Govt must understand, the farmer has taken this movement to his heart and won't consider less than the laws' repeal. Govt should implement Swaminathan's report and make law on MSP: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, BKU, on today's meeting with Central govt.

Will burn copies of new farm laws on Lohri: Farmer leaders

Farmer leaders protesting at Delhi’s Singhu border on Sunday said they will celebrate the festival of Lohri on January 13 by burning copies of newly introduced agriculture laws. They also said they will observe the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on January 23 as ‘Azad Hind Kisan Diwas’

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On eve of talks with farmers, Tomar meets Rajnath to discuss govt strategy to end deadlock

A day before the crucial seventh round of talks between the Centre and protesting farmer unions, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday and discussed the government strategy to resolve the current crisis at the earliest, sources said.

Tomar discussed with Singh "all possible options" to find a "middle path" to resolve the crisis, sources added.

Singh, who served as agriculture minister in the erstwhile Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet, has emerged as a key troubleshooter and is working mostly behind the scenes on this issue.

3 more protesting farmers die at Delhi borders

Three more farmers, who were part of the protests at the Delhi borders against the Centre's new farm laws, have died, police said on Sunday. One of the farmers died of cardiac arrest, another was suffering from fever while the cause of the death of the third farmer could only be ascertained after post-mortem, they added.

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Rains take down tents but not farmers' spirit at Noida-Delhi border

Protesting farmers at the Noida-Delhi border withstood rains and cold weather conditions as their demonstration against the Centre's recent farm laws continued here on Sunday. Some tents at the protest sites collapsed due to the rain, prompting the farmers to use tarpaulin sheets for shelter as the drizzle continued till late afternoon.

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EDITORIAL | Govt negative, hostile towards farmers

When the farmers’ protests outside Delhi have entered the seventh week, there is no perceptible progress in resolving the issues that have brought them out on the streets. They have been protesting in the open since November 26, and with the winter getting colder and with the rain pouring down, as it did yesterday, the stand-off is increasingly testing the strength of their bodies and minds.

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