The farmers had called for a hunger strike on December 14.2020 Indian Farmers Protest Live Update: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today slammed the opposition parties and the activists who have been claiming that newly-passed farm laws will benefit corporate and hurt farmers. He said the farmers were being misled by some people with vested interest. “A conspiracy is going on to confuse the farmers. They are being scared that after new agrarian reforms, others will occupy the land of the farmers. You tell me, if a dairyman contracts to take milk from you, does he take your animal?” the prime minister said in Gujarat.
A number of ‘khaps’ in UP’s Muzaffarnagar have extended their support to the farmers agitating against the new farm laws enacted recently. The khaps will join the ongoing protests at Delhi’s border points on December 17. The decision was taken at a meeting of the chiefs of “khaps” held yesterday at Shoram village in the Shahpur police station, secretary of All Khap council Subhash Balyan said.
The deadlock between farmers and Centre has been continuing with no side willing to concede ground. While the Centre has offered to discuss the farm laws clause-by-clause, the farmer unions have declared that they won’t settle on anything less than the repeal of the acts. The central government too is maintaining that the laws don’t affect the existing system in any way, therefore no question of taking them back. Now, the protest has entered its 20th day. Thousands of farmers have been sitting on borders and national highways connecting UP, Haryana to Delhi.
Highlights
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat: "A conspiracy is going on to confuse the farmers. They are being scared that after new agrarian reforms, others will occupy the land of the farmers. You tell me, if a dairyman contracts to take milk from you, does he take your animal?"
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A number of "khaps" in UP's Muzaffarnagar have extended support to the farmers' agitation against the Centre's new agri laws and will join the ongoing protests at Delhi's border points on December 17. The decision was taken at a meeting of the chiefs of "khaps" (caste councils) held yesterday at Shoram village in the Shahpur police station area here, Subhash Balyan, secretary of All Khap council, said. The "khap" chiefs termed the Centre's three new agri marketing laws "anti-farmer" and called for their repeal adding that they have decided to reach Delhi on December 17 to support the agitation. Balyan Khap head and Bhartiya Kisan Union national president Naresh Tikait, Latyan Khap head Bijender Singh, Desh Khap head Sharanvir Singh, Ahlavat Khap head Gajendra Singh, Nirval Khap head Rajvir Mundet, Kundu Khap head Choudhry Upendra Kundu and Benival Khap head Amit Benival were among those who attended the meeting, Subhash Balyan said. (PTI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today alleged that for the Modi government, crony capitalists are "best friends" and protesting farmers are Khalistanis. His attack on the government comes at a time when thousands of farmers have been protesting for more than two weeks on the borders of Delhi, demanding withdrawal of three new farm laws. "For Modi Govt: Dissenting students are anti-nationals. Concerned citizens are urban naxals. Migrant labourers are Covid carriers. Rape victims are nobody. Protesting farmers are Khalistani. And crony capitalists are best friends," Gandhi said in a tweet.
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Two Punjab farmers who were returning to Patiala from a protest site near Delhi's borders died in an early morning accident today. The accident happened in Haryana's Karnal district where a truck hit their tractor trolley. Another farmer has received injuries in the incident which took place on Taraori flyover. A few more on the trolley escaped with minor injuries. Taraori police station's SHO Inspector Sachin said the deceased were aged around 24 years and 50 years. He said that according to a statement given to the police by one of farmers travelling in the tractor trolley, the truck driver appeared to have fallen asleep behind the wheels which led to the accident. The truck driver managed to flee from the spot. "The farmers were returning from Delhi. They belonged to Saphera under Sadar Police station in Patiala," he said. (Inputs from PTI)
Giriraj Singh: I would like to ask Punjab chief minister — isn't private companies making contracts with farmers to grow potatoes? Did they usurp their land? Why didn't you oppose this?
ASSOCHAM has called for an early resolution of farmers' issues on Farm Laws. It says the protest is costing Rs 3500 crores per day.
Rakesh Tikait today asked Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar whether he suffered loss or earned profit on his produce be cause he is also a farmer. Tikait asks at what rate was his (Narendra Singh Tomar) farm produce sold, was it sold at MSP? "Did he suffer loss or earned profit? The government should visit villages and hold meetings," Tikait adds. (ANI)
Farmers protest: Congress MP from Khadoor Sahib of Punjab, JS Gill, says he has information that Adani and Ambani groups registered 53 new agro-based companies in the last few months. 'We will continue our protest till the farmers are not heard'.
Farmers protest: Rapid Action Force and additional forces deployed at Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border as farmers' protest enters 20th day.
Nitin Gadkari: "If there is no dialogue, it can lead to miscommunication, to controversy and sparring. If there is a dialogue then issues will be resolved, the whole thing will end, farmers will get justice, they will get relief. We are working in the interest of farmers. Our Government will convince the farmers, explain and find a way through dialogue. Right now, the Agriculture and Commerce ministers are engaged in dialogue with the farmers. If I am told to talk to them, I will definitely talk to them."
PM Modi in Gujarat: Prime Minister Modi will today lay the foundation stone of a fully automated milk processing and packing plant at Sarhad Dairy Anjar, Kutch. The plant will cost Rs 121 crore and will have the capacity to process two lakh litres of milk per day.