Bharat Bandh: Those who raised the slogan of 'I will not sell the country' have broken the back of public by their exploits, says Congress

Congress continues its attack on the BJP government by throwing its weight behind farmer organisations in protest against the recently passed amedments to Farm Bills. Several farmers’ organisations including the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements (ICCFM) called for ‘Bharat Bandh’. Hundreds of farmers led by 35 farmers' outfits blocked major highways and State Highways in and around Bengaluru. Small, marginal farmers, who are 86 per cent, will benefit the most from agriculture reforms, said PM Modi at virtual address to BJP leaders. He also asked partymen to counter rumours regarding the Farm Bills. Farmers in Tamil Nadu protested in human skulls, chained hands. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee decided to extend 'rail roko' agitation in Punjab.

As the agitation over Farm Bills rages on, the BJP and the Oppositon parties continue take aim at each other. Only time can tell how this protest will end. Thanks for following our live updates. Good night, take care.

Those who raised the slogan of 'I will not sell the country' have broken the back of the public by their exploits: Congress

Farm bills liberalisation for farmers, opp spreading canards: Sambit Patra

Senior BJP leader Sambit Patra Friday slammed the opposition Congress and TMC for "misleading" the farmers on the Farm Bills issue and said the reforms will ensure liberalisation in the farm sector for the first time since Independence. He also criticised TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for agreeing to implement the central flagship Ayushman Bharat and PM -Kisan schemes with the rider that the central funds for the same should be channelised through the state administration.

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BJP leaders slam DMK chief Stalin for criticising Farm Bills

Senior Tamil Nadu BJP leaders including former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan on Friday flayed the DMK for criticising the Centre's Farm Bills adopted by Parliament recently, wondering what more than Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance on MSP was required.

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Farmers protest with human skulls, chained hands in Tamil Nadu

BJP govt introduced reforms for farmers’ welfare: PM Modi

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee extends 'rail roko' agitation in Punjab

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee announces that it is extending its 'rail roko' agitation in Punjab against three farm Bills till Sep 29. The agitation had started on Thursday, forcing the railway authorities to suspend the operation of special passenger trains in the state. (PTI)

Modi government has defeated all the previous governments in the matter of anti-farmer.

Farmer's wing of TMC staged a protest in Kolkata earlier today against recently passed agricultural laws

"It's a draconian law passed forcefully by Modi Govt without any regard to procedures. The Modi govt is not for the general people," says a TMC leader.

Farm Bills won't be implemented in Maharashtra, says govt

The Congress, which is part of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, on Friday said it would work towards ensuring that the farm sector Bills passed by the Parliament are not implemented in the state.

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The Congress manifesto itself envisioned the sale of agricultural produce outside APMCs: Prakash Javadekar

The Congress manifesto itself envisioned the sale of agricultural produce outside APMCs. We also made that same promise. Now since we have fulfilled our end of the vow, how are we wrong. This is hypocrisy on their part: Prakash Javadekar, Union Environment Minister.

MNC agents will become the new set of middle-men who will control farmers produce and pricing. Farm act is nothing but indirect handing over of farmers to Adani and Ambani.

Our farmers are the voice of the country; The BJP government is ignoring the voice of the country due to its dictatorial attitude. Our farmers are saying that they should be guaranteed minimum support price for their crops: Congress.

In Bijnor, party workers joined the peasants' movement under the leadership of co-incharge Nirmal Mishra ji, in support of the agitation protests called by the peasant leader BM Singh ji against the agriculture bill: AAP

Farmers protest at Delhi-Noida border in Uttar Pradesh

Around 150-200 farmers were at the Noida Gate in Sector 14A near Chilla, at the UP-Delhi border, where they were stopped by the Gautam Buddh Nagar police around 12 noon, officials said.

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Left wing farmers' bodies hold protests in West Bengal against Farm Bills

CPI(M) farmers wing 'Sara Bharat Krishak Sabha' and those of other left partners such as CPI, Forward Bloc and RSP took out rallies in the districts and blocked roads for some time. Participants in the processions at some places carried vegetables and agricultural produce and shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

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Farmers hold protests in Kerala against new agriculture reforms bills

Farmers under the aegis of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) staged widespread protests in Kerala on Friday against the Farm Bills passed recently in Parliament, alleging that the new legislations will hand over the country's agriculture sector to corporate giants.

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Devendra Fadnavis slams Congress for opposing Farm Bills

Maharashtra BJP leader Fadnavis on Friday hit out at the Congress and other opposition parties at the Centre for opposing the farm sector bills that were passed in the Parliament.

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TN CM says Farm Bills will not affect Tamil Nadu ryots

The Tamil Nadu government on Friday sought to assert that the three Farm Bills passed in Parliament recently will not affect farmers, saying Chief Minister K Palaniswami will not allow any legislation detrimental to their interests.

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Farmers do not have even a full faith in the Modi government: Rahul Gandhi

One thing was clear after talking to the farmers, they do not have even a full faith in the Modi government. The voice of all of us is also associated with the loud voice of the peasant brothers, and today the whole country together opposes these agricultural laws, says Rahul Gandhi.

BJP has hatched a conspiracy to defeat the Green Revolution and mortgaged the farm barn to the hands of the capitalists. In the fate of the farmer, the saga of ruin and misery has been written with three black laws: Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The Shamli District Executive took part in the protests of the Bharatiya Kisan Union led by District President Rajendra Pahalwan ji and raised the voice against the black legislation of the Agriculture Bill: AAP

During World War II, the US shook up Japan with an atomic bomb. Akali Dal's one bomb (resignation of Harsimrat Kaur Badal) has shaken up Modi. For past two months, there was no word on farmers, but now ministers are speaking on it: SAD's Sukhbir S Badal in Muktsar, Punjab.

Punjab CM should call an immediate cabinet meeting and pass an ordinance to declare the state as one 'Mandi': Sukhbir S Badal

Punjab CM should call an immediate cabinet meeting and pass an ordinance to declare the state as one 'Mandi' to ensure recently passed agricultural Bills not enforceable in Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir S Badal while addressing a rally at Lambi Village in Muktsar.

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee continues their 'rail roko' agitation in Amritsar.

Members of various farmer organizations during 'Bharat Bandh', a protest against the Farm Bills passed in Parliament recently, in Bengaluru. Credit: PTI

Members of various farmers' organisations gather in protest over the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 and Farm Bills, at Shambu Punjab-Haryana border near Ambala. Credit: PTI

Farmers block road during a nationwide farmers' strike following the recent passing of agriculture bills in the Lok Sabha (lower house), on the outskirts of Amritsar. Credit: AFP

Democratic Youth Federation of India workers along with farmers take part in a protest against new farm laws, in Mumbai. Credit: PTI

Police detain Naba Nirmana Krushak Sangathan members during a protest demonstration against the Central Government over new farm laws, in Bhubaneswar. Credit: PTI

From fields to farmers and laborers to shops, BJP is destroying every section of the country: Congress

The government wants to weaken the farmers' movement by spreading various kinds of confusion: Yogendra Yadav

The government wants to weaken the farmers' movement by spreading various kinds of confusion. The government says that this movement is limited to Punjab only, today the farmers of the entire country have told that this movement belongs to the farmers of the whole of India. The revolutionary bhat of the farmers of Karnataka was introduced to the farmers of Punjab, Haryana today, says Yogendra Yadav.

Karnataka: Farmers block highway in Mandya

Farmers, led by various farmers outfits like sugarcane growers association and others staged a protest against the APMC and Land Reforms Amendment Act, on Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway, near KSRTC bus stand, in Mandya, on Friday. They also raised slogans against anti-farmer policies of the governments.

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Now new agricultural laws will enslave our farmers: Rahul Gandhi

The provisions in the Acts tilt in favour of MNC and Indian corporates. It is not freedom for farmers but for the MNCs to exploit the farmers: Swaraj India

The provisions in the Acts tilt in favour of MNC and Indian corporates. It is not freedom for farmers but for the MNCs to exploit the farmers. MNC agents will become the new set of middle-men who will control farmers produce and pricing. Farm act is nothing but indirect handing over of farmers to Adani and Ambani, says Swaraj India.

Farmers have opposed the Bills as they feel the Bills will not benefit them. NCP has also opposed it. What was the hurry to pass them? We are trying that these Bills aren't implemented in the State. We've held a meeting on it: Ajit Pawar

The evidence is in Bihar; Abolishing the mandis had a devastating effect on farmers. They fell to the mercy of agents who bought their crops for a pittance & sold it at MSP in other states, thus making a profit for themselves.

It is the responsibility of BJP workers to protect farmers from any such rumors: Narendra Modi

The agricultural produce market committees at Unjha, Mehsana district (Gujarat), one of the biggest regulated wholesale markets, remained shut in support of nation-wide bandh call to protest amendments in APMC act

All of BJP's plans and policies have corroded away the very base of the nation's prosperity: Congress

In Pics | Farmers protest over Farm Bills across India

Activists from variousfarmersrights organisations stage aprotestfollowing the recent passing of agriculture bills in the Lok Sabha (lower house), in Bangalore. Credit: PTI Photo

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Congress party stands firm with the 'annadatta' of India, says Randeep Singh Surjewala

Under the Chief Minister's Kisan Kalyan Yojana, two installments of two thousand rupees will be provided to the farmers' account by adding them to the PM Samman Fund. Thus, 77 lakh farmers of the state will get Rs 10 thousand per annum, says MP Chief Miniser Shivraj Singh Chauhan.

The withdrawal of Mandi system will lead to loss of revenue of the state governments, which touches new dimensions of development of villages. The anti-farmer government holding the development of villages by passing black laws.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, T S Singh Deo and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot issue joint statement on Bharat Bandh

Farmers protest at Noida-Delhi border in UP

Scores of farmers gathered on a key road in Noida in Uttar Pradesh in a protest demonstration on Friday, prompting deployment of police in riot gear that kept them from proceeding towards Delhi.

Around 150-200 farmers were at the Noida Gate in Sector 14A near Chilla, at the UP-Delhi border, where they were stopped by the Gautam Buddh Nagar police around 12 noon, officials said.

The farmers under the Bharatiya Kisan Union banner are protesting the farm sector Bills that were passed by the Parliament during the just-concluded Monsoon Session, alleging they were "anti-farmer" legislations.

Yogendra Yadav joins Haryana farmers in protest against Farm Bills

A clash breaks out in Patna between workers of the BJP and Pappu Yadav's Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) after JAP workers tried to enter BJP office while protesting against farm bills, reports Hindustan Times.

Tamil Nadu farmers protest outside Trichy collector's office

Farmers from National South Indian River Interlinking Farmers’ Association sit outside Collector's office in Trichy with human skulls, chained hands and nooses around their necks to demonstrate against recent Farm Bills.

BJP govt is giving corporates a loot-exemption by snatching MSP from farmers, says Congress

The BJP government is trying to crush the farmer by walking in the steps of the East India Company. The anti-farmer BJP government is giving an open-ended loot exemption to corporates by snatching MSP from farmers.

Farmers protest near Delhi-Noida border

Members of Bhartiya Kisan Union block roads, stage protest near Delhi border against recent Farm Bills; police have been deployed in the area. "We have diverted traffic so that people do not face any inconvinience," says Additional DCP, Noida.

The BJP is concerned about the income of capitalists, tweets Congress

The BJP is concerned about the income of capitalists. There is no concern about the impact on the income of the farmer when MSP is not ensured. The capitalist government should guarantee MSP by assuming the demands of the farmer, tweets Congress.

New Farm Bill reforms will 'enslave' farmers, says Rahul Gandhi

Voicing support for the Bharat Bandh call given by farmer organisations to protest the farm bills, the Congress on Friday alleged that the new agriculture laws will "enslave" farmers and the MSP will be "snatched away" from them.

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BJP workers must reach out to farmers and inform them of the benefits of Farm Bill reforms, says PM Modi

All BJP Karyakartas should reach out to farmers on the ground and inform them in a very simplified language about the importance and intricacies of the new farm reforms, how these will empower them. Our ground connect will bust the lies and rumours being spread in virtual world, says PM Modi

Mamata opposing Farm Bills because all middlemen will vanish: Vijayvargiya

Farm Bills remind of East India Company rule: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said the PM Modi-led government's Farm Bills are like a bitter reminder of the East India Company's rule.

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In order to get the farmers out of the compulsion to take loans, we will implement Farm Bill amendments. Now decades later, farmers have got the right to their produce. Small and marginal farmers will get the most benefit from the improvements made in agriculture, says PM Modi

In last few years, NDA govt made full efforts to connect farmers with banks. Over Rs 1 lakh crore transferred to over 10 crore farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Our effort was to provide KISAN credit cards to more farmers so they can avail credit easily, says PM Modi

Reforms in Farm Bills are not anti-farmer, says PM Modi

Just like farmers we have to workers have been tied by draconian laws, says Prime Minister Modi in his address.

Previous governments used to make a complicated web of promises and laws which farmers or labourers could never understand. But BJP-led NDA govt, has constantly tried to change this situation and has introduced reforms for the welfare of farmers, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Farmers begin protest in Punjab, Haryana over Farm Bills

Among farmers' unions which are supporting the bandh call included Bharti Kisan Union Krantikari, Kirti Kisan Union, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and BKU (Lakhowal).

Several organisations in Haryana, including the BKU, have also extended support to the nationwide strike called by some farmers' bodies against the bills.

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A group of farmers seen protesting at SBM circle, Bengaluru.

Modi government has attacked the farm, says Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala

BJP's Farm Bills remind me of East India Company, says Priyanka Gandhi

BJP has brought in legislation to destroy farmers, says Sanjay Singh

Police deployed in Punjab to tackle potential untoward situations

Farmers in Punjab and Haryana cut across party lines to protest against the recent amendments Farm bills that began on Friday morning. A heavy police cordon has been deployed in both states to deal with potential untoward situations.

Farmers, under the aegis of Bharatiya Kisan Union and Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI), block Amritsar-Delhi National Highway near Phillaur in Jalandhar, in protest against Farm Bills.

Poor peasants of India will have to fight for justice, says Congress

Because of the BJP government's practices, farmers are already suffering. Now the government has attacked the interests of farmers by passing the anti-farmer bill. The poor peasants of India will have to fight for justice from the bureaucracy and the pair of capitalists, says Congress.

Farmers block roads in Bengaluru in protest against Farm Bills

Hundreds of farmers led by 35 various farmers' outfits blocked major highways and State Highways in and around Bengaluru on Friday morning in protest against the amendment to Land Revenue act and APMC act passed in Parliament recently.

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Govt has made our 'annadaata' a puppet through its 'fund daata', says Tejashwi Yadav of RJD

Govt has made our 'annadaata' a puppet through its 'fund daata'. Farm Bills are anti-farmer and have left them dejected. Government had said that they'll double farmers' income by 2022 but these Bills will make them poorer. Agriculture sector has been corporatised, says Tejashwi Yadav, RJD

Bihar: RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) workers protest in Darbhanga, against Farm Bills, while riding buffaloes.

Delhi police personnel deployed in Chilla area near Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border point, in wake of the nationwide protest called by farmers today against Farm Bills passed in the Parliament.

Karnataka State Farmers' Association protest in Bengaluru against Farm Bills

Members of Karnataka State Farmers' Association hold protest near Bommanahalli in Bengaluru, on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu highway against Farm Bills passed in Parliament. Police personnel deployed in the area to ensure law and order is maintained and Covid-19 safety norms are followed during protest.

Police in Amritsar brace for farmers protest

Police personnel deployed in Amritsar city in the wake of farmers protest against Farm Bills passed in the Parliament. "Security forces have been deployed at every crossroad and level crossing in the entire city so that no untoward incident takes place," says Additional Comissioner of Police

Police personnel are being deployed around Ladowal Toll Plaza in Ludhiana, in the wake of nationwide protest by farmers today, over Farm Bills. "All prepartions made, additional forces deployed. Farmer leaders have assured us that protest will be peaceful," says SHO Ladowal.

TMC farmers' wing protests against Farm Bills in West Bengal

The Trinamool Congress farmers' wing on Thursday protested against Farm Bills across West Bengal, demanding that these should be scrapped.

Describing the farm sector reform Bills as "death knell" for farmers and agricultural workers of the country, hundreds of activists of the TMC's Kisaan Khet Mazdoor cell organised protest marches in various parts of the state.

Carrying posters and placards against the BJP-led government at the Centre, the members of the TMC farmers' wing shouted slogans and burnt copies of these Bills.

Rashtriya Kisan Manch says Farm Bills will benefit farmers, opposes bandh call

The Shekhar Dixit-led Rashtriya Kisan Manch on Thursday said the farm sector Bills, passed by Parliament recently, would benefit farmers as it opposed the 'Bharat Bandh' call given by some peasants' outfits against the proposed legislative measures.

Talking to reporters here, Dixit said the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill would give farmers the freedom to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

It would help "save farmers from the exploitation of middlemen", he said and slammed the organisations opposing the measures.

13 pairs of trains have been short-terminated as a precautionary measure against the protests. Train routes to Punjab being avoided, reports Hindustan Times. Credit: PTI Photo

2 Haryana BJP leaders term farm bills 'anti-farmer'

Haryana BJP leaders Parminder Singh Dhull and Rampal Majra on Thursday dubbed the Centre's farm bills "anti-farmer", claiming that the apprehensions about the minimum support price were not unfounded.

The two former legislators said many farmer outfits were protesting against the Centre's farm reforms and their voices should be heard.

"These bills are anti-farmers, anti-people. These reforms will deal a blow to the dreams of Sir Chhotu Ram, considered the messiah of farmers, who wanted to see the peasants prosperous and happy," Dhull said.

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has appealed to the farmers to strictly maintain law and order, and adhere to all Covid-19 safety protocols, during today’s Bandh against Farm Bills.

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee in Punjab continues their 'rail roko' agitation in Amritsar, in protest against the Farm Bills. The Committee is holding the 'rail roko' agitation from September 24 to 26 against the Bills.

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) activists participate in a torch procession during a protest against farmers' bills, in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

Centre firm on agricultural reforms; farmers to hit streets over Farm Bills today

Farmers’ organisations such as AIKSCC, Jai Kisan Andolan, BKU, All India Kisan Sabha have urged President Ram Nath Kovid not to give his assent to the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill which were “rammed” through Parliament by the Modi government.

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Narendra Singh Tomar accused Congress of misleading farmers

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar accused the Congress of misleading the farmers on the farm sector reforms and pointed out that the opposition parties has promised similar reforms in its party manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

'Rail roko' agitation to severely affect movement of essential items, foodgrains: Railways

The Railways on Thursday said the 'rail roko' agitation in Punjab over farm bills will severely impact loading of foodgrains and other essential goods as well as the movement of passengers travelling on special trains, mostly on an urgent basis.

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Farm reform Bills will empower agri-business, says ICCGM national convener Yudhvir Singh

“When seen in totality, these bills have nothing to do with improving farmers’ incomes… Instead, they will empower agri-business and increase corporate control of our food systems, leaving farmers and consumers with little re-course to justice,” Yudhvir Singh, National Convenor, ICCFM, said in a statement.

Oppn supports farmers' organisations in protest against farm reform Bills

Opposition parties have thrown their weight behind the farmers’organisations, with Congress launching its own programme to highlight the “lacunae” in the two legislations, even as Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar assured farmers that the new law did not mean to scrap the minimum support price regime or the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMC).

Cry of farmers will echo throughout the country, said Randeep Singh Surjewala

“The cry of farmers will echo throughout the country with ‘Bharat Bandh’ on September 25. Millions of Congress workers under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi are standing with the farmers,” AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said.