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Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take the initiative to talk to the agitating farmers and it should not be a matter of prestige as decisions are changed many times in a democracy.
The Mumbai Press Club on Saturday condemned the registration of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against journalists over the coverage of farmers' tractor rally in Delhi on Republic Day. Filing of cases against journalists shows the government's growing intolerance for those who differ with it, it said.
(PTI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said farmers of his state were firmly supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the new farm laws.
(PTI)
The Shiv Sena on Saturday slammed activist Anna Hazare for first announcing a hunger strike over farmers' issues and then calling it off within hours, saying this was "on expected lines".
Hazare on Friday announced an indefinite fast in support of farmers who are agitating on Delhi borders against the new farm laws, but later changed the decision after discussions with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary.
(PTI)
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday appealed to the government to withdraw the three contentious farm laws at an all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the smooth conduct of the Budget Session of Parliament.
Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal Saturday alleged there was a "conspiracy" by the government, the BJP and the RSS behind the stone-pelting incident at the Singhu border, but said the farmers would not indulge in any violence despite "provocation".
Agitating farmer leaders held a day-long fast at various protest sites on Delhi's borders on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary on Saturday as the stir against the agri laws appeared to regain momentum after rallying support from the agricultural community of the crucial western Uttar Pradesh region.
Internet services except voice calls to remain suspended in Ambala, Yamuna Nagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Rewari, Sonipat, Palwal & Jhajjar till 5 pm tomorrow: Haryana Directorate of Info & Public Relations
(ANI)
The AAP on Saturday claimed that the violence that took place during the tractor parade on January 26 was scripted by the BJP with the help of Delhi Police to "defame and discredit" the farmers' movement.
Raising concerns over the three new farm laws, NCP President Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the legislation will adversely affect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and weaken the mandi system.
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP and All India Kisan Sabha leader K K Ragesh has written to the Upper House's Secretariat showing his intent to table three private members' bills seeking repeal of three contentious farm laws.
Following the Republic Day tractor parade organised by farmers' unions and the chaos that ensued in Delhi, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait was one of the leaders named in an FIR filed by the Delhi Police. The charges against him included attempt to murder, rioting and criminal conspiracy.
A day after the 'mahapanchayat' in Muzaffarnagar town, more farmers started pouring in at the site of the dharna on the Ghazipur border in Ghaziabad district on Saturday to join others to protest the new farm laws even as internet services were suspended and the National Highway 24 connecting Delhi with UP was closed.
(ANI)
Everyone has strongly deplored the farce which some anti-social elements created at Red Fort. Farmers must put forth their demands peacefully. The restraint they showed while protesting for 65 days was commendable, he added.
(ANI)
Supporters of the opposition Grand Alliance in Bihar on Saturday formed human chains across the state as an expression of solidarity with the farmers who have been agitating in the national capital seeking the repeal of the contentious farm laws.
Leader of the opposition Tejashwi Yadav took part in the demonstration in front of the Buddha Smriti Park here, a stone's throw from the Patna Junction, where he was joined by alliance partners, most notably party emblem waving workers from the Left who have been enthused since the CPI(ML), the CPI and the CPI(M) showed signs of recovery in the recently held Assembly polls.
(PTI)
A team of forensic experts on Saturday visited the Red Fort to collect evidence in connection with the violence that broke out at the iconic monument on Republic Day.
Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal on Saturday said he expects a record gathering by February 2 at the border points of Delhi, where farmers are protesting against three recent agriculture laws of the Centre, with a large number of people from various states turning up.
PM simply narrated discussion being held b/w govt & farmers. He just said that Agri Minister assured farmers that he is a phone call away from them provided they accept govt's proposal, he added.
(ANI)
In 11th Centre-farmer negotiation, we'd said that Govt is open for discussion. Agri Minister had said that he's just a phone call away, whenever you give a call he's ready for discussion. It still stands good. This is what PM said (in all-party meet) says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, ANI reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday told leaders of various political parties that his government has been continuously trying to resolve the issues raised by protesting farmers through talks, sources said.
Addressing floor leaders of various political parties at the customary all-party meeting convened by the government for the smooth conduct of the Budget Session, the prime minister said the Centre's proposal on the three new agriculture laws still stands, the sources said.
Govt has been continuously trying to resolve issues of protesting farmers through talks, PM in all-party meeting, PTI reports quoting sources.
PM Modi in all-party meeting reportedly said that the Centre's proposal to protesting farmers on farm laws still stands, according to PTI quoting sources.
“Were they really locals?” asked the chief minister, seeking a proper investigation to identify the "trouble-makers" and ascertain where they came from.
Social activist Anna Hazare on Friday said he won't be proceeding with the indefinite fast against the new farm laws and claimed that the Central government has agreed to some of his demands.
Tension prevailed at Singhu border, one of the main sites of farmers' protest, on Friday as police used tear gas and resorted to baton charge after protesters and a large number of men claiming to be local residents clashed and hurled stones at each other.
Sources did not give the reason for the deferment of his trip during which he was to address two rallies on Saturday and Sunday, but it comes as farmers have intensified their protests against three farm laws amid incidents of clashes with "locals" at some places.
Farmers protesting the Centre's new agri laws will observe 'Sadbhavna Diwas' on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary on January 30 and hold a day-long fast, farm leaders said on Friday, and asserted that their agitation will gain strength as farmers in large numbers will join them in the days ahead.