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Bharat Bandh 2020 LIVE Updates: Farmer Leaders to Meet Amit Shah at 7pm as Day-long Protests See Dharna, Blocked Roads; Oppn Parties to Meet Prez Tomorrow

News18.com | December 08, 2020, 16:05 IST
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Event Highlights

Bharat Bandh 2020 LIVE Updates: NCP president Sharad Pawar today said leaders from different political parties will discuss and take a collective stand on the contentious farm laws before meeting President Ram Nath Kovind. Opposition parties are expected to meet Kovind on Wednesday evening to raise their concerns about the three farm laws. Pawar's NCP is among the parties that have backed Tuesday 'Bharat Bandh' called by farmers' unions. "Leaders from different political parties (those opposing the farm bills) will sit, discuss and take a collective stand on the contentious farm laws before meeting President Ram Nath Kovind," Pawar told reporters. On Monday, the BJP said Pawar, who was agriculture minister in the UPA government, had asked states to amend the APMC Act and had even warned them that the Centre will not provide financial assistance in absence of the three reforms. It also cited letters written by Pawar during his tenure as agriculture minister to buttress the point.

The NCP said after taking over as Union agriculture minister, Pawar had tried to form a broader consensus amongst state agriculture marketing boards by inviting suggestions for the implementation of the act. "The benefit of farmers as per the model APMC Act was explained (by Pawar) to various state governments and many state governments came forward to implement it. Farmers across the country are gaining from the implementation of the act which was fine-tuned by Pawar to protect farmers' interests," the party had said. On Tuesday, Pawar met Defence Rajnath Singh and the discussions were believed to be held pertaining to land acquisition for the Purandar airport in Pune district.
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Dec 08, 2020 16:05 (IST)

Cong-BJP Clash in Jaipur | Rajasthan: A clash erupted outside BJP office in Jaipur between BJP and Congress workers during a protest over farm laws. 

Dec 08, 2020 16:01 (IST)

AAP Leaders Protest Against CM's 'House Arrest' | AAP leaders protesting against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's 'house arrest' outside his official residence. (Image: News18)

Dec 08, 2020 15:58 (IST)

AAP claims the CM is under house arrest. The police denies the claim. I don’t know why but I feel like I’ve seen this script play out somewhere else also: National Conference Leader Omar Abdullah

Dec 08, 2020 15:51 (IST)

Oppn Parties to Meet President Tomorrow | A joint delegation of Opposition parties will meet President Kovind tomorrow at 5 pm. The delegation will include Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and others. Due to COVID19 protocol, only 5 people have been allowed to meet him: CPI (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury

Dec 08, 2020 15:44 (IST)

India Needs More Reforms, States Must Take Lead: Niti's Amitabh Kant | "Tough reforms are very difficult in the Indian context, we have too much of democracy...You needed political will to carry out these reforms (mining, coal, labour, agriculture) and many more reforms still need to be done," said Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. "It is very important to understand this that MSPs (minimum support price) will be there, mandis will remain...farmers must have a choice to sell their products as they benefit out of this," he added.

Dec 08, 2020 15:40 (IST)

UPDATE | Over 14 farmer leaders including 10 from Punjab will be meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah at 7 pm. Other farm union leaders including Hanan Mollah, Rakesh Tikait (BKU), and Gurnam Singh will be attending the meeting. 

Dec 08, 2020 15:36 (IST)

Is CM Under House Arrest?: Manish Sisodia | CM denied permission to convert stadiums into temporary jails for protesting farmers. Now, public is not being allowed to meet him. Does this mean he is under house arrest? Why are all these security personnel posted here?: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia outside CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence

Dec 08, 2020 15:33 (IST)

Hooda on Farm Laws | "I agree that some reforms are needed, but the Acts, which have been passed by the government, have no reflection of reforms. And, if the government wants some reforms they should call the Parliament session and discuss them," said former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Dec 08, 2020 15:29 (IST)

Protestors Give Way to Ambulance in Haryana | People protesting against farm laws make way for an ambulance to pass through a section of the Ambala-Hisar highway in Haryana. 

Dec 08, 2020 15:24 (IST)

TMC Begins Sit-in Demonstration in Kolkata | The TMC began its three-day-long sit-in demonstration against the new farm laws and demanded that the "anti-people" legislation should be withdrawn immediately. The farmers and agricultural workers wing of the TMC, led by its state president and TMC MLA Becharam Manna, began its sit-in demonstration in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in central Kolkata this afternoon. (Image: PTI)

Dec 08, 2020 15:19 (IST)

Regular Deployment Outside CM's Residence: Delhi Police | The deployment which is being seen outside the residence of CM Kejriwal is the regular deployment for the security of the Hon' CM. We're coordinating with the CM's residence. Anyone whom they say they want to allow inside, we will allow: DCP North, Delhi Police, Anto Alphonse

Dec 08, 2020 15:15 (IST)

Delhi Traffic Update | Traffic movement at Ghazipur border in the carriageway from Delhi to Ghaziabad is open and Ghaziabad to Delhi is closed: Delhi Traffic Police

 
Dec 08, 2020 15:12 (IST)

Farmers Today Are Much Better Informed: Kamal Nath | Are the farmers stupid that they've gathered here in such numbers? There's a huge difference in the farmers from 30 years ago and now. The farmers today are much much better informed: Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Kamal Nath

Dec 08, 2020 15:06 (IST)

BKU UPDATE | We have a meeting with the Home Minister at 7 pm today. We are going to Singhu Border now and from there we will go to the Home Minister: Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait

Dec 08, 2020 15:01 (IST)

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has alleged that the police are not allowing AAP MLAs to go to CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence.  Sisodia took to Twitter and said several MLAs were outside CM's residence where the police are barring them from going in.  This comes after Delhi Police said that the CM has not been put under house arrest as was being alleged by the Aam Admi Party. 

Dec 08, 2020 14:57 (IST)

Farmer Delegation Meet Amit Shah | A delegation of farmer leaders led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Rakesh Tikait are reportedly scheduled to meet Home Minister Amit Shah later in the day today. Tikait of BKU along with seven more farmer leaders have been invited for talks at 7 pm. 

Dec 08, 2020 14:51 (IST)

Shiv Sena Never Supported Farm Laws: Sanjay Raut | Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party never supported the three farm laws in Lok Sabha as alleged by the BJP. Taking a swipe at the Centre over farmers' protests, Raut suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah can hold talks with cultivators who are observing the Bharat Bandh against farm laws.

Dec 08, 2020 14:48 (IST)
Several US lawmakers and eminent members of the Sikh community in America have voiced their support for farmers agitating in India against the new farm laws and urged that they be allowed to protest peacefully. Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and several other states have been protesting on various borders of Delhi since November 26, seeking repealing of three farm laws enacted in September.
Dec 08, 2020 14:47 (IST)
Pro-farmer Protests Held in Jammu | Various organisations, including transporters, held peaceful protests here on Tuesday to express solidarity with farmers who gave a call for Bharat Bandh. The bandh evoked a mixed response in Jammu region with most of public transport staying off roads. Commuters faced problems and were seen walking a distance, but shops and business establishments remained partially open.  The main protest rally was taken out by J&K Transport Welfare Association (JKTWA) from Bikram Chowk to Digyana, blocking the Jammu-Pathankote highway. The JKTWA and over a dozen other social, religious and political organizations have extended support to the bandh call.
 
Dec 08, 2020 14:38 (IST)
Farmer Leaders Accuse Govt of Favouring Corporates | Farmer leaders in Maharashtra on Tuesday accused the government of favouring corporates by bringing the new farm laws. Former MP from Kolhapur district and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna (SSS) leader Raju Shetti said the Centre will have to withdraw these laws in view of the mounting pressure. Earlier in the day, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna members stopped the Chennai-Ahmedabad Navjeevan Express at
Malkapur station in Buldhana district while protesting against the farm laws.
Dec 08, 2020 14:36 (IST)
Most Delhi Markets Open | A nationwide strike called by farmer unions against the Centre's agri laws was underway on Tuesday with rousing speeches and sloganeering at Delhi's border points amid tight security arrangements, even as most of the city's markets remained open. Protesting farmers have threatened to block key roads and occupy toll plazas as part of their call for a 'Bharat Bandh' to press for repeal of the new farm laws. A senior police office said patrolling was being carried out in the city's market areas, including Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazar, to maintain law and order.
Dec 08, 2020 14:33 (IST)
 
Punjabi Artistes Support Bharat Bandh | Punjabi artistes Diljit Dosanjh, Ammy Virk, Gurdas Maan  and others have extended their support to Bharat Bandh call given by farmers organisations. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana have gathered at various border points of Delhi since November 26 as part of their protest against the Centre's farm laws. Dosanjh, who was last week involved in a Twitter spat with actor Kangana Ranaut, shared a black-and-white picture of farmers sitting on roads protesting, Bharat Bandh' written atop in bold.
Dec 08, 2020 14:12 (IST)

The members of several political parties, including the Congress, took to the streets in Puducherry to march in support of Bhara tBandh called by farmer unions against the Centre's farm laws.  Chief Minister V Narayanasamy was also present there.

Dec 08, 2020 14:07 (IST)

Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said a parliamentary session shoulb be called to discuss the exact reforms needed in the agriculture sector. "Some reforms are needed. But these Acts which have been passed, have no reflection of these reforms," he was quoted as saying by the ANI.

Dec 08, 2020 14:05 (IST)

In Karnataka, political parties and various organisations protested in front of Town Hall in Bengaluru in support of Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions against farm laws.The protesters carried vegetables as a mark of protest and rode a cart pulled by cattle.

Dec 08, 2020 14:01 (IST)

Samajwadi Party workers came out on the streets of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, raising slogans in support of the 'Bharat Bandh' called by agitating farmers to press for repeal of the Centre's agri laws, leading to clashes with police at many places. Leaders of the opposition party also sat on a silent protest under the statue of former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh at the Vidhan Bhavan here to back the nationwide protest call. SP MLCs Rajpal Kashyap, Sunil Singh Sajan, Anand Bhadauria and Ashu Malik were part of it.

Dec 08, 2020 13:19 (IST)

Congress Workers Hold Protest in Delhi | Hundreds of Delhi Congress, Indian Youth Congress and activists of the women's wing of the Congress on Tuesday staged a protest and stopped traffic near the Income Tax Office (ITO) intersection in the national capital in support of the 'Bharat Bandh'. The first to hit the street were workers of the Delhi Congress under the leadership of party unit chief Chaudhary Anil Kumar, who stopped traffic on Vikas Marg. Congress workers with placards and banners in their hands raised slogans against the Central government demanding the repeal of the three farm laws.

Dec 08, 2020 13:17 (IST)

Avoid Deceptive Propaganda, MSP and Mandis will Continue: Tomar | As the opposition parties in 11 states took to the streets in support of the protesting farmers' call for 'Bharat Bandh', Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar urged farmers to avoid the "propaganda" being spread. He assured them that "the MSP and mandis will also continue". He reiterated the Central government's point, saying the three contentious farm laws will prosper farmers in many ways like increasing their produce storage. "New agricultural reform laws will bring prosperity in the lives of farmers. Investment in cold store and food processing industry in the country will increase and farmers will be able to have sufficient storage," Tomar said in a series of tweets.

Dec 08, 2020 12:54 (IST)

Bharat Bandh Affects life in Bihar, Highways, Railway Tracks Blocked | Railway tracks, highways and roads across Bihar were teeming with supporters of the 'Bharat Bandh', which affected normal life in the state with the opposition parties extending support to the protest led by the farmers' unions against the Centre's farm laws. Police were deployed in large numbers across the state to ensure that the movement of essential goods and services remained unhindered.

Dec 08, 2020 12:49 (IST)

Shops were seen functioning regularly in Mumbai. 

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Bharat Bandh 2020 LIVE Updates: Farmer Leaders to Meet Amit Shah at 7pm as Day-long Protests See Dharna, Blocked Roads; Oppn Parties to Meet Prez Tomorrow
Demonstrators burn various items as they block NH-12 during a protest in support of the nationwide strike, called by farmers to press for repeal of the Centre's agri laws, in Nadia. (PTI)

Protesters blocked three highways in rural Gujarat by placing burning tyres on roads on Tuesday morning as part of the Bharat Bandh called by agitating farmer unions to press for repeal of the Centre's agri laws, affecting vehicular traffic for some time. A highway connecting Ahmedabad to Viramgam was blocked near Sanand by protesters from the Congress party who placed burning tyres on roads, causing a traffic jam. Another group of protesters blocked a national highway in Vadodara. In another incident, a highway connecting Bharuch and Dahej in Bharuch districtwas similarly blocked near Nandelav by protesters. Police detained protesters in Ahmedabad and brought the situation under control, an official said. The state government has imposed section 144 of the CrPC, which bans assembly of more than four persons, in view of the Bharat Bandh. Meanwhile, members of a farmers' organisation on Tuesday staged a 'rail roko' in Maharashtra's Buldhana district as part of the Bharat Bandh called by agitating farmer unions to press for repeal of the Centre's agri laws. Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna members stopped the Chennai-Ahmedabad Navjeevan Express at Malkapur station in Buldhana district while protesting against the farm laws.

Farmers’ outfits are observing a Bharat Bandh (nationwide shutdown) today to protest against the controversial new agriculture laws, with several trade and transport unions extending support and almost all opposition parties too backing their demands. Farmer leaders said their strike will remain peaceful and that no shops and establishments will be forcibly closed on account of the Bandh. “There will be complete ‘Bharat bandh’ till 3 pm Tuesday, but emergency services will be allowed,” farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal told reporters. The farmer leaders had earlier announced their intention to block all roads leading to Delhi, which has emerged as the epicentre of the protests against the farm laws, and occupy all toll plazas, but on Monday said they do not want to inconvenience the common people and have, hence, kept the timing of the chakka jam (blockade) from 11am to 3 pm.

On the eve of the nationwide strike, the Centre asked all states and Union Territories to tighten security and that peace and tranquillity must be maintained during the strike. A home ministry official told PTI that states have been directed to take precautionary measures so that no untoward incident takes place anywhere in the country. In its advisory, the Union Home Ministry also said that the respective governments must ensure that the Covid-19 guidelines issued with regard to health and physical distancing are strictly followed. The farmers call for the strike has garnered widespread support as trade unions, worker unions, some taxi unions and almost all opposition parties have extended support. The Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Trinamool Congress, DMK and its allies, TRS, RJD, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party and the Left are among the political parties that are backing the strike.

Appealing to everyone to join the "symbolic" bandh, farmer leaders said they will block key roads during their 'chakka jam' as part of their stir, which has drawn people from northern states especially Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi since the last 12 days. "Our bandh is different from that of political parties. It is a four-hour symbolic bandh for an ideological cause. We want that there should be no problem to the common people. We appeal to them not to travel during this period," farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said.

"We also urge shopkeepers to shut their outlets during this period," he said. Bhartiya Kisan Ekta Sangathan president Jagjit Singh Dallewala asked farmers to maintain peace and not to try enforce the shutdown.

The leader also claimed the bandh will be effective across the country. "The Modi government will have to accept our demands. We want nothing less than a withdrawal of the new farm laws," farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said.

The Centre and the farmer unions will hold the sixth round of talks a day after the bandh as previous discussions failed to end the deadlock. Targeted by opposition parties for the deadlock, the BJP hit back and accused them of "shameful double standards", claiming many of them had endorsed these reforms when in power or had supported them in Parliament.

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