Oppn Parties Supporting ‘Bharat Bandh’ Should Apologise: UP CM
Catch all the updates on the farmers’ protests here.
A day ahead of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by farm leaders, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on Monday, 7 December, accused opposition parties of “politicising” the farms laws, saying that the Congress is indulging in “double speak”.
“Opposition parties which have extended support for Tuesday's ‘Bharat Bandh’ should apologise before the nation,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, as the farmers’ protest against the three contentious laws entered the 12th day on Monday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal paid a visit to the protest site at Singhu border, and reviewed facilities for the farmers. On the other hand, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav was detained in Lucknow after leading a brief sit-in protest against the farm laws.
- A joint statement was issued by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury, among others, supporting the call for ‘Bharat Bandh’
- The ‘Bharat Bandh’ will be observed till 3 pm on Tuesday, but emergency services will be allowed, farm leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said on Monday.
- The Centre has asked all states and UTs to tighten security during the ‘Bharat Bandh’, asserting that peace and tranquillity must be maintained, officials were quoted by PTI as saying
- A delegation of 20 farmers from Haryana met Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday to extend support to the new farm laws
- The protesting farmers are scheduled to meet the Centre for another round of talks on Wednesday
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Thousands Protest in London Against India’s Farm Laws
Thousands protested in central London on Sunday, 6 December, over the agricultural reforms that have triggered mass demonstrations in India. Many people gathered to demonstrate at the Indian embassy.
BSP Extends Support to Bharat Bandh by Farmers
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supports the Bharat Bandh called by farmer Unions on 8 December over the farm laws, tweets party chief Mayawati.
CM Kejriwal to Visit Singhu Border on Monday
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to visit the Singhu Border (Haryana-Delhi border) on Monday where the farmers' protest has entered Day 12, ANI reported.
According to ANI, several other ministers of Delhi government will also be accompanying CM Kejriwal and will also inspect arrangements made for farmers at the spot.
Restrictions Under Section 144 Imposed in Gautam Buddh Nagar
Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in Gautam Buddh Nagar, police have said, according to ANI. The Noida Commissioner of Police on Sunday reportedly instructed officials to ensure its compliance in view of Bharat Bandh called by farmers on Tuesday.
Police Force Deployed Outside Akhilesh Yadav's Residence
Police force has been deployed outside Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav's residence at Vikramaditya Marg. Yadav is scheduled to visit Kannauj to stage a demonstration in support of farmers protesting against the farm laws, ANI reports.
Police Take SP MLCs Into Custody in Lucknow
Police have taken Samajwadi Party MLCs Rajpal Kashyap and Aashu Malik into custody while they were trying to visit the party office at Lucknow’s Vikramaditya Marg.
"Why are the police stopping us? This is undeclared emergency. Why is Akhilesh ji being stopped?," Kashyap said, according to ANI.
Kejriwal Reaches Singhu Border
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal visits Singhu border to inspect arrangements for farmers.
We Support All Demands of Farmers: Kejriwal at Singhu Border
Speaking during his visit to Singhu border, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, “We support all demands of farmers. Their issue and demands are valid. My party and I have stood with them from the very beginning.”
He added that at the beginning of their protests, the Delhi Police had sought permission to convert nine stadiums into jails. “I was pressurised but didn't permit,” he said.
He also reiterated that AAP and its leaders have been serving farmers as 'sevadars'.
“I haven't come here as CM but as a 'sevadar'. Farmers are in trouble today, we should stand with them. AAP supports the 8 December Bharat Bandh, party workers will participate in it across the nation,” he said, according to ANI.
Borders of Delhi Remain Closed Amid Protests
As many as seven borders connecting Delhi with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh remained completely closed on Monday due to the ongoing farmers’ protest, causing traffic snarls and inconvenience to motorists in many parts of the city.
The borders that are completely shut are Singhu, Tikri, Auchandi, Piao Maniyari, Mangesh, Jharoda and Chilla. While the first six borders connect Delhi with Haryana, the Chilla border is used by people travelling between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, Greater Noida, Jewar, Mathura, Agra and Lucknow.
People of India Should Support Bharat Bandh Too: Chidambaram
Ambulances, Weddings Exempt, Bandh Only From 11 am to 3 pm: Farmers
Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bharatiya Kisan Union on Monday told ANI that the farmers’ protest is peaceful and will continue that way. Speaking about Tuesday’s Bharat Bandh, Tikait said, “Tomorrow's Bharat Bandh is from 11 am to 3 pm. It is a symbolic protest to register our opposition. It is to show that we don't support some of the policies of the Government of India.”
Saying that the farmers do not want to cause problems for the common man, he added that the bandh will begin at 11 am and end at 3 pm, allowing people to leave for work and that even so that they could leave for office on time. He also added that services such as ambulance and even weddings, can go on as usual.
Akhilesh Yadav Detained After Sit-in Protest Against Farm Laws
Akhilesh Yadav was on Monday detained by the police after he led a brief sit-in protest in Lucknow even as the administration sealed the road leading to his residence right ahead of his "Kisan Yatra" scheduled in Kannauj district.
Yadav with a bunch of supporters broke through police barricades placed near his residence on Lucknow's Vikramaditya Marg. Following resistance by the police, he and his supporters squatted in the middle of the road as SP workers raised slogans against the government.
Shortly afterwards, he was detained by the police, put in a bus and taken away from the spot in the heart of Lucknow.
Have Made Proper Arrangements Ahead of Bharat Bandh: Delhi Police
The Delhi Police on Monday said that they have made proper arrangements ahead of Tuesday’s Bharat Bandh.
“We are trying to ensure that the lives of the common people are not affected. If someone tries to shut down shops forcefully or block roads, legal action will be taken,” Eish Singhal, Delhi Police PRO said, according to ANI.
'Congress Indulging in Double Speak': UP CM Yogi Adityanath
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday accused opposition parties of “politicising” the farm laws, saying that the Congress is indulging in “double speak”, PTI reported.
“Some political parties are trying to spoil the atmosphere, especially the present stand taken by them on model APMC Act shows their double standards,” he was quoted by ANI as saying.
Call for 'Bharat Bandh' Apolitical: Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said that the farmers' call for 'Bharat Bandh' on Tuesday is apolitical and people should willingly take part in it, PTI reported.
'Bharat Bandh' Till 3 pm on Tuesday, Emergency Services to be Allowed: Farm Leader
The ‘Bharat Bandh’ called against the three farm laws will be observed till 3 pm on Tuesday, but emergency services will be allowed, farm leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference, Rajewal said they want nothing less than a withdrawal of the new laws.
The farm leaders have also appealed farmers to not force anyone to observe the bandh, PTI reported.
'Will Move SC Over Farm Laws': Kerala Minister
Kerala Agriculture Minister VS Sunil Kumar on Monday said that the state government will move the Supreme Court over the farm laws. “"We will move SC this week itself. The anti-farmer laws will not be implemented in Kerala and an alternative law will be considered," he was quoted by ANI as saying.
Won't Support 'Bharat Bandh', Would Like to See Improvements in Laws: RSS-Backed Org
The RSS-backed Bharatiya Kisan Sangh on Monday said it won't support the 'Bharat Bandh' against the farm laws, but would like the legislations to go through some "improvements”, PTI reported.
Farmers' Delegation Meets Agri Minister, Extends Support to New Laws
A delegation of 20 farmers from Haryana met Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday to extend support to the new farm laws, a day ahead of the ‘Bharat Bandh’, PTI reported.