Farmers’ Protest LIVE Updates: Reforms Undertaken With Best Interests of India’s Farmers in Mind, Willing to Listen to Our Farmer Brothers, Says Rajnath Singh

Hope Unions That Came for Talks Earlier Will Join Next Round of Discussion: Dy CM | Agriculture Minister and Home Minister are continuously discussing the issue. Next round of discussions to be held soon. I hope 40 unions who came for talks earlier, will also join the next round of talks as well and come to a conclusion: Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala.

Resolve Farmers' Agitation Through Dialogue: Cong Leader | Senior Congress leader and former union minister Anand Sharma said, "Today what we are seeing is turbulence and protests on the farm laws. Reforms must be participatory, not arbitrary. There must be consultations. Nothing should be rushed through or done without building a consensus. That results in what we are seeing - agitation, conflict and the loss of trust," adding that "I personally feel that through dialogue, negotiations and persuasion, everything can be resolved. We have chief ministers of states and they must be involved and let's get over this crisis too, together as a nation." 

Farmers' Protest Continues in Punjab | The ruling Congress held protests in Punjab, with the state unit chief Sunil Jakhar participating in one near the Shambhu border. Shiromani Akali Dal workers protested in Amritsar. In Punjab, protests were held in several districts including Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Bathinda, Moga, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Tarn Taran. Farmers held protests outside the offices of deputy commissioners at several places in Punjab, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said.

The AAP MLA said there are some people referring to the agitating farmers, who are the country's food providers, as "anti-nationals".

UPDATE | The Chief Minister must speak of Maharashtra farmers first instead of commenting on protests in Delhi. Protesters are being beaten up in their homes here and the state govt is talking of protesters' rights in Delhi and calling it an emergency situation: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis

Amid an ongoing protest against the recent agri laws, RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) suggested a few amendments in the legislations on Sunday to overcome drawbacks and asserted that the government's intent in bringing the laws was good. The minimum support price (MSP) should be guaranteed to farmers and purchases below the MSP should be declared illegal, according to a resolution passed by the SJM. Not only the government, private parties should also be barred from buying at a rate below the MSP, it said. In the absence of a "mandi fee", buyers will naturally be encouraged to buy outside the APMC markets and thus, farmers will also be forced to sell their produce outside such markets, SJM co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said. " READ MORE

Amid a protest by farmers against the Centre's three new farm laws, BJP general secretary Arun Singh on Monday claimed that more than 99 per cent farmers in the country are with the Modi government.

AAP Leaders Hold Hunger Strike | Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Ministers and MLAs hold 'hunger strike' in support of farmers who are protesting against Centre's contentious agri reforms.  Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, ministers Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai and party leader Aatishi Marlena are present.

Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Ministers and MLAs hold 'hunger strike' in support of farmers who are protesting against Centre's #FarmLaws.

Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, ministers Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai and party leader Aatishi Marlena are present. pic.twitter.com/oEBoEof0MI

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2020

The entry points to the capital of the world’s fifth-largest economy will be blocked on 8 December 2020.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday that the recent reforms have been undertaken with the best interests of India's farmers in mind. "We are, however, always willing to listen to our farmer brothers, allay their misgivings and provide them with assurances we can provide," Singh said. Calling agriculture the mother sector, he said the government is always open to discussion and dialogue to resolve issues. "Agriculture has been one sector which has been able to avoid the adverse effects of the pandemic and, in fact, come out the best. Our produce and procurement have been plentiful and our warehouses are full. There is no question of taking retrograde steps against our agricultural sector ever," he said. READ MORE

Two famous thinkers of the last century had almost common comment to make on politics, which said, “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it…

As the Centre's talks with protesting farmers continue to be stalled, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held discussions on the farmers' issues with Punjab BJP leaders on Sunday in the presence of…

Aam Aadmi Party has been in support of the farmers' movement since day one. We prevented the stadium in Delhi from becoming a prison, serving the farmers. Chief Minister was arrested in the house but our fight and support will continue: Gopal Rai, Minister in Delhi Government.

Rajnath Singh: We are, however, always willing to listen to our farmer brothers, alley their misgivings and provide them with assurances we can provide. Our Government is always open to discussion and dialogue.

Rajnath Singh: There is no question of taking retrograde steps against our agricultural sector ever. The recent reforms have been undertaken with the "best interests" of India’s farmers in mind.

Rajnath Singh Amid Farmers' Protest | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says - "Agriculture has been one sector which has been able to avoid the adverse effects of the pandemic and, in fact, come out the best. Our produce and procurement have been plentiful and our warehouses are full."

The debate around the economics and administration of farm laws stands frozen by politics.

BKU Ekta Ugrahan Leader Says They Won't Observe Fast | Leaders of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), who had organised an event to demand the release of jailed activists last week, have decided to distance themselves from the one-day hunger strike call given by 32 farmer unions from Punjab on Monday. Sukhdev Singh, Punjab general secretary of BKU Ekta Ugrahan, said that Ugrahan leaders will not observe fast. "We will not participate (in one-day hunger strike)," Sukhdev told PTI. Farmer unions, most of them from Punjab, have started their hunger strike against the Centre's new farm laws. Also, they have given a call to stage dharnas at district headquarters across the country.

Fast in Support of Protesting Farmers, Appeals Kejriwal​ | Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday appealed to people to fast wherever they are in support of protesting farmers, and asserted that farmers will win in the end. Kejriwal is holding a one-day fast in support of the farmers' protest on Monday. Farmer leaders are observing a day-long hunger strike as part of their protest against the three new farm laws. The chief minister also urged his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers, supporters, as well as the people of the country to join the farmers' agitation. "Fasting is sacred. Wherever you are, fast for our farmer brothers. Pray to God for the success of their struggle. In the end, farmers will definitely win," Kejriwal tweeted. Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said he is observing the fast at the party office with other party members.

Amid an ongoing protest against the recent agri laws, RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) suggested a few amendments in the legislations on Sunday to overcome drawbacks and asserted that the…

A group of farmers camping at the Noida-Delhi Chilla border in support of tillers' demands to scrap the three central farm laws, on Sunday sought the government to set up a Kisan Aayog to decide the…

In Pictures | Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana drapes a banner to oppose the BJP government's stand on agri reforms.

Govt Misleading Everyone on MSP: BKU, Haryana | Gurnam Singh Chaduni, President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union's Haryana chapter says that the Centre is misleading everyone on MSP. "Home Minister Amit Shah replied to us during December 8 meeting that they can't buy all 23 crops at MSP as its costs Rs 17 lakhs crores. Centre will continue buying crops at the same amount, as they use to before, that's what 'buying at MSP' means for them. But we can't survive on that anymore. And Centre is not buying crops at MSP from all states," he said, ANI reports.

Govt is misleading everyone on MSP. Home Minister Amit Shah replied to us during 8th Dec meet that they can't buy all 23 crops at MSP as its costs Rs 17 lakhs crores. : Gurnam Singh Chaduni, President, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Haryana) pic.twitter.com/yUVc9xo1kK

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2020

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday slammed his Punjab counterpart Capt Amarinder Singh, saying he had always stood with farmers.

Sit-in Protest Continues at Rajasthan-Haryana Border | Rajasthan: Sit-in protest at Shahjahanpur near Jaisinghpur-Khera border (Rajasthan-Haryana) continues for the second day today; security personnel remain deployed, ANI reports.

Rajasthan: Sit-in protest at Shahjahanpur near Jaisinghpur-Khera border (Rajasthan-Haryana) continues for the second day today; security personnel remain deployed#FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/aU4WixG4FD

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2020

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday asked the BJP-ruled Centre to shun "arrogance" and scrap three farm laws as demanded by agitating farmers, and bring a Bill to guarantee minimum support…

Arvind Kejriwal Slams Punjab CM | "Captain, I have stood with the farmers from the beginning. Did not let Delhi's Stadium become a jail, fought the Center. I am serving the farmers by serving them. You set-up a deal with the Centre to get your son's ED case forgiven, sold the farmers' movement? Why?" said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in response to Punjab CM Amarinder Singh's remarks on the former fasting in support of the farmers' protest.

कैप्टन जी, मैं शुरू से किसानों के साथ खड़ा हूँ। दिल्ली के स्टेडीयम जेल नहीं बनने दी, केंद्र से लड़ा। मैं किसानों का सेवादार बनके उनकी सेवा कर रहा हूँ

आपने तो अपने बेटे के ED केस माफ़ करवाने के लिए केंद्र से सेटिंग कर ली, किसानों का आंदोलन बेच दिया? क्यों? https://t.co/J3VzLgCI3M

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 14, 2020

'There's No Rift Among Farmers': BKU's Rakesh Tikait | "There's no rift among farmers. Three leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) faction resigned because they were upset with their President Bhanu Pratap Singh, as to why he compromised," says Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union on 3 BKU (Bhanu Faction) on leaders' resignation, reports ANI.

There's no rift among farmers. 3 leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) faction resigned because they were upset with their President Bhanu Pratap Singh, as to why he compromised: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union on 3 BKU (Bhanu Faction) leaders' resignation https://t.co/HzBAECmhrk pic.twitter.com/Vk7BUhvt69

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2020

Protest in Pictures | Here are latest pictures coming in from the ongoing farmers' protest at the Sindhu border against the Centre's contentious agriculture reforms. (News18)

Farmers' Protest a Tug-of-war Between Pressure Farm Organisations Can Exert, How Much Govt Will Resist | As the Narendra Modi government enters the second round of discussions with select leaders of agitating farmers, it does not give the impression that it is in any hurry to back off from the three contentious Farm Laws, nor do farmers look in a mood to relent. Three union ministers participated in the meeting along with senior officials, more to gauge the mood of the farm leaders than to offer any alternative, as decision-making lies elsewhere. However, the fact that the government is making an effort to take a feedback on farmers’ point of view should be read as a positive signal. This-- and extensive, transparent dialogue with political parties and state governments--should have been done before the reforms-oriented bills were introduced in Parliament through the Ordinance route. READ MORE