Farmers are staying at borders. (PTI)
Farmers Protest Today in Delhi News Updates: Farmers from Punjab and Haryana continued their protest against the farm laws in and around Delhi. The Delhi Police on Friday allowed protesting farmers to enter the city for the planned demonstration but some groups of peasants refused to head to the designated site — Nirankari Samagam Ground — at Burari in Central Delhi. Hundreds of protesters, who have refused to go to Burari, are still at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana). The farmers at the border yesterday decided that they will continue their protest and won’t go anywhere else. They decided that they will meet at 11 am daily to discuss strategy.
Groups of farmers are protesting against the farm laws at Ghaziabad-Delhi border. Speaking on why they are not moving to the designated site, Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said, “Protests happen at Ramlila ground, then why should we go to Nirankari Bhawan, a private facility? We will stay put here today”.
On Saturday evening, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Centre would hold talks with farmers as soon as they moved to the designated protest site. The Centre had earlier fixed the date December 3 for the second round of talks but farmers wanted the resolution before that date. The Centre has agreed to their demand but wants the farmers to move to Burari first.
Highlights
The centre should let go of their stubbornness by inviting farmers for negotiations. The way Haryana government tried to stop farmers, it has hurt their sentiments. Farmers' demands are justified and I support them. I urge the centre to find solution: Bhupinder S Hooda, Former CM Haryana
We will not go to Burari. Our 30 farmers' organisations take decisions after consensus is developed. Our leaders will brief media about it later today: Baldev Singh Sirsa, Farmers' leader at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana) on Home Minister's offer to hold talks before December 3
Home Minister Amit Shah in Hyderabad: I never called the farmers’ protest politically motivated, neither I am calling it now.
The language he (Amarinder Singh) used doesn't suit a CM. We had decided that gatherings will not be allowed due to corona. I wonder why Govt of Punjab allowed the protest during this time. I don't consider using tear gas and water cannon as using force: Haryana CM ML Khattar
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. The Congress-majority Punjab Assembly reacted to these central laws by passing Bills meant to ‘negate’ their effect in the state. The Punjab Bills, however, are still awaiting assent of the state Governor. (PTI)
Farmers Protest March: Farmer unions in Punjab and Haryana say the recent laws enacted at the Centre will dismantle the minimum support price (MSP) system. Over time big corporate houses will dictate terms and farmers will end up getting less for their crops, they argue. Farmers fear that with the virtual disbanding of the mandi system, they will not get an assured price for their crops and the ‘arthiyas’ — commission agents who also pitch in with loans for them — will be out of business. (PTI)
The farmers want the withdrawal of the three laws which deregulate the sale of their produce. The farmer unions could also settle for a legal assurance that the MSP system will continue. They are also pressing for the withdrawal of the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020, fearing it will lead to an end to subsidised electricity. Farmers say rules against stubble burning should also not apply to them.
Addressing his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme, Prime Minister Modi said the recent agriculture reforms have begun mitigating the troubles of farmers in a short span of time as he cited the example of a Maharashtra farmer who used the provisions of the new laws to get the money promised to him by a trader. "Since ages, these demands of farmers which at one point of time or the other all political parties had promised to them, have now been fulfilled. After deep deliberations, Parliament recently passed farm reform laws. These reforms have not only freed the farmers from various shackles, but have also given them new rights and opportunities. In such a short span of time, these rights have started reducing the problems of farmers," he said.
There should not be any condition for talks with farmers. The talks should be held immediately. They are the farmers of our country. They should be allowed to stage their protest where they want: Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain
Parliament has recently passed farm reform laws after rigorous brainstorming. These reforms have not only broken shackles of farmers but have also given new rights and opportunities to them: PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat
Protesting farmers have not fully or properly understood new farm laws, says Niti Aayog Member (Agriculture) Ramesh Chand.
Sanjay Raut: The way farmers have been stopped from entering Delhi, it looks like as if they don't belong to this country. They have been treated like terrorists. Since they are Sikh and have come from Punjab and Haryana, they are being called Khalistani. It is insult to farmers.
Farmers continue their protest against the farm laws at Ghaziabad-Delhi border. Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait says, "Protests happen at Ramlila ground, then why should we go to Nirankari Bhawan, a private facility? We will stay put here today".
Commuters headed towards the national capital from other states say they're facing problems due to road blockade at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana). Speaking to ANI, a commuter says: "We are facing many problems due to the protest. There is no vehicle for steady communication."