Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Meet Farmer Leaders
Catch all the updates on the farmers’ protests here.
The stand-off with the Centre over farm laws entered the 18th day on Sunday, 13 December after the farmer leaders on Saturday announced that they will unitedly observe a fast today at the Singhu border.
The leaders also said that they will protest peacefully throughout the demonstration and not allow the Centre to derail their movement.
The announcement by the leaders came hours after PM Modi said that his government is committed to protecting the interest of farmers through its policies and intentions, even as the farmers called to intensify protests by blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway.
Meanwhile, a delegation of 29 pro-reforms farmers met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to extend their support to the farm laws and threatened to stage a protest if those are repealed.
- The Congress on Saturday slammed PM Modi and said that the farmers of the country need more than just tall promises
- Shiromani Akali Dal Chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday said that the Centre trying to stifle voices is unfortunate
- Earlier on Friday, the Bharatiya Kisan Union moved the Supreme Court against the three contentious farm laws
- Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar appealed to protesting farmers to be vigilant and not provide their platform to anti-social elements
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Sachin Pilot Urges Centre to Accept Farmers' Demands
Congress leader and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Thursday asked the Centre to accept the demands of the agitating farmers with immediate effect.
"The farmers are fully alert and capable to protect their future, right and lands and the central government cannot confuse them with any vicious and undemocratic efforts," he tweeted
Two Cops at Singhu Border Test Positive for COVID-19
A DCP and an Additional DCP, who were leading the police force at the Singhu border, have tested positive for COVID-19, ANI reports, quoting Delhi Police.
Farmers Threaten To Block Railway Tracks If Demands Not Met
Farmers have announced that they will block railway tracks if their demands are fulfilled by the government. The farmer unions, which held a meeting on Thursday, said they will soon announce a date for blocking tracks across the country.
"We will block railway tracks if our demands are not met. We will decide on the date and announce it soon. The blocking of tracks will not be limited to Haryana and Punjab but it will be done across the country," farmer leader Boota Singh said at the press conference, NDTV reports.
PM Appeals to Farmers to Hear Out Arguments by Tomar, Goyal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to farmers to hear out the arguments put forth by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal on the new farm laws even as the farmers' agitation against the reforms entered Day 16.
"My two cabinet colleagues Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal have spoken in detail about the new farm laws and the demand of farmers. Do hear them out," Modi said sharing a video link of the press conference by the two ministers on Thursday.
Police Book Farmers Squatting At Delhi Border Traffic Signal
The Delhi police have filed cases against a group of farmers who had been squatting at a traffic signal at the Singhu border point between Delhi and Haryana over the past many days. The cases have been filed for violation of the COVID-19 protocol, police officials have said, according to NDTV.
The farmer group had entered Delhi forcibly through the Lampur border on November 29 and had since been squatting at the traffic signal in Singhu, blocking the road, officials said.
On December 7, officials at the Alipur police station filed a first information report against the squatters for not following social distancing norms under the Epidemic Act and other laws that are applicable now in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amritsar Eatery Starts Langar Service At Delhi-UP Border
An Amritsar-based eatery has come forward to provide charity meals to the agitating farmers at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in Ghazipur.
"We are providing food to the farmers round-the-clock; they all are our brothers. The langar will continue till the farmers are here," said Jagga, head of the eatery.
BJP to Organise Press Conferences, Chaupals Across India Over Farm Laws
The Bharatiya Janata Party will reportedly be organising press conferences and 'chaupals' in all the districts of the country on the new farm bills starting Friday. According to ANI, 700 press conferences and 700 'chaupals' will be organised in the coming days.
Farm Laws Flawed, Detrimental to Farmers: Former World Bank Chief Economist
Professor of Economics and former Chief Economist of the World Bank on Friday said on Twitter that he had studied the farm laws and realised that they are “flawed and will be detrimental to farmers.”
“Our agriculture regulation needs change but the new laws will end up serving corporate interests more than farmers,” he wrote.
Have Not Received a Reply from Farmers on Proposal Yet: Tomar
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said that the Centre had not received any reply from the farmers on their proposal yet.
“Our proposal is with them, they discussed it but we have not received any reply from them. We came to know through media that they have rejected the proposal. Yesterday I had said that if they want to, we can definitely talk about the proposal,” Tomar said on Friday, according to ANI.
He added that the Centre had not received a proposal of talks from them but would be ready as soon as a proposal is received. Talking about the draft proposal, Tomar said that the Centre had tried to suggest a solution to the farmers’ objections in it.
“They should leave agitation and take the path of discussion. Government is ready for talks,” he said, according to ANI.
Bhartiya Kisan Union Approaches SC Against Farm Laws
The Bharatiya Kisan Union has approached the Supreme Court against the three farm laws passed by the Parliament, claiming the laws will make farmers “vulnerable to corporate greed”, reports ANI.
The intervention application moved by the union says that the laws "will spell disaster for the farming community by opening a parallel market" if they're implemented as is, Bar&Bench reported.
AAP to 'Lay Siege' to District Headquarters Across Punjab on 14 Dec
AAP will "lay siege" to district headquarters across Punjab on 14 December in solidarity with the call given by farmers, against the three farm laws, the party said on Friday, reported ANI.
'Anti-Social Elements Conspiring to Spoil Atmosphere of Farmers' Movement': Agri Minister
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday appealed to protesting farmers to be vigilant and not provide their platform to anti-social elements.
"Anti-social elements (are) conspiring to spoil the atmosphere of farmers' movement in guise of peasants," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Asserting that the government is sensitive towards farmers, Tomar said the proposal to resolve farmers' issues had been sent to their unions and the government is ready for further discussions.
'No Programme to Stop Trains': Bharatiya Kisan Union Chief
Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Balbir S Rajewal on Friday said the Delhi-Jaipur highway will be blocked on 12 December, while on the 14th, a sit-in will be staged in front of district collectors' offices and houses of BJP leaders, along with blocking "Reliance/Adani toll plazas".
"(There's) No programme to stop trains. The number of farmers coming here is increasing," he was quoted by ANI as saying.
Farmers to Block Delhi-Jaipur Highway
After the latest round of talks between the farmers and government failed, the farmers had announced to block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on Saturday to intensify their protest.
No Information About Toll Plazas Being Blocked by Farmers: ASP Agra
ASP (West) Agra told ANI that they have not received any information on any one of them being blocked by farmers.
Traffic Updates
Tikri and Dhansa Borders will remain closed for any traffic movement, tweeted Delhi Traffic Police.
Delhi Police advised people to take alternate routes for coming to Delhi via Anand Bihar, DND, Apsara and Chopra borders.
Committed to Protect the Interest of Farmers: PM Modi Amid Protests
Speaking at Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry’s (FICCI) 93rd Annual General Meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the three new farm reforms, against which the farmers have been protesting, and said that these reforms “will give farmers new markets, access to technology and help bring investments in agriculture that will benefit farmers”.
Modi further said that the government is committed to protect the interest of the farmers through its policies and intentions.
Farmers Protesting at Ghazipur Border March Towards Delhi
Farmers protesting at the Delhi-Ghazipur border (Delhi-UP) are marching towards Delhi, ANI reported.
“With this march, we want to give a message to the government to listen to our issues,” Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bharatiya Kisan Union told ANI.
Vehicles Passing Through Faridabad Toll Plaza
Vehicles are passing through the Faridabad toll plaza uninterrupted for now, ANI reported.
“The police is here. If we get any guideline from NHAI we will follow it,” Ajay Gaur, shift incharge at the toll told ANI.
Making Sure Public Movement is Not Affected: UP ADG
Prashant Kumar, UP ADG (Law & Order) told ANI that the forces are making sure no miscreants enter the protests and that traffic movement is unaffected.
“We have deployed forces to check that no miscreants joins the protest. We are taking measures to see that public movement is not affected. We are also ensuring that anti-social elements, who are trying to create trouble, are being dealt with,” he said.
'Centre Trying to Stifle Voices Unfortunate': Sukhbir Badal
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the Centre trying to stifle voices is unfortunate.
“Unfortunate that the Centre is trying to stifle the voices, instead of listening to them. Farmers don't want the farm laws. Why is the Centre showing tyranny when the section - for whom laws have been formed- don't want it? I request the Prime Minister to listen to farmers,” he said.
'Farmers Need More Than Tall Promises': Surjewala Slams PM Modi
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed PM Modi for tall promises after the latter’s comments on farm laws earlier in the day.
Left Party Members from Andhra Join Farmers' Protests
Left party members from Andhra Pradesh joined in support of farmer unions protest against Centre's new farm laws in Krishna District, ANI reported.
“We ask the central government to withdraw these three anti-people laws. These laws will transfer Indian agriculture to the corporates,” a union member told ANI.
Farmers Tonsure Heads
Farmers agitating at UP’s Ambedkar Memorial Park, against the Centre's farm laws, tonsured their heads in protest, ANI reported.
Farmers Will Benefit If Govt Brings MSP Guarantee Bill: AIKSCC
Sardar VM Singh of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) said that the farmers will be benefitted if the government brings a MSP Guarantee Bill.
“We want assurance on the MSP. We want a guarantee of the purchase of our produce under it. Farmers will be benefitted if you bring the MSP Guarantee Bill,” he said.
“We want MSP on all our produce, including potatoes, sugarcane, grains, vegetables and milk. We don't want this guarantee in written form but we want a law for MSP now,” Dungar Singh, Farmer Leader from Uttar Pradesh, was quoted by ANI as saying.
Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala Meets Rajnath, Tomar in Delhi
JJP leader and Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala met Union Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar over the issue of farm laws.
“I'm hopeful that there is mutual consent between the Centre and farmers' Union and we can resolve this issue by talks. I am hopeful that in the next 28 to 40 hours, there will be another round of talks and some conclusive statement can be out,” he told ANI.
'All Farm Leaders Will Observe Fast on 14 Dec at Singhu Border'
Sanyukta Kisan Andolan leader Kamal Preet Singh Pannu addressed the media on the ongoing stand-off with the Centre over farm laws and announced that all farm leaders will sit on a fast on 14 December in protest.
“All farmer leaders will sit on a fast sharing the same stage at Singhu border on 14 December. We want the government to take back the three farm bills. We are not in favour of amendments. The Centre wants to thwart our movement but we will continue it peacefully,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
“We will foil any attempt by the Centre to derail our movement. The government had made a few small attempts to divide us and instigate people of our movement. But, we will peacefully take this movement towards victory,” he said.
He further said that thousands of farmers will begin a tractor march at 11 am on Sunday from Shahjahanpur in Rajasthan and will block the Jaipur-Delhi main road.
"Protest Needs to be Freed From Maoists and Naxals": Piyush Goyal
Union Min Piyush Goyal said that the Centre is ready to hold discussions with the farmers 24 hours a day. “If the protest is freed from Maoists and Naxals, then our farmers will definitely understand that laws are in their and the country's interest,” he added.
“Eighteen opposition parties tried to do a bandh but failed miserably. I have confidence in our farmers that they will get out of the influence of these Maoists and Naxalites, come and discuss with us and find solutions to their concerns,” Goyal said.
Agriculture Minister Tomar Meets Farm Leaders from Haryana
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar held a meeting with farmers' leaders from Haryana at Vigyan Bhawan.
After the meeting, Tomar said that “progressive farmer leaders from Haryana have submitted a memorandum with their signatures supporting the three farm laws. They also shared their experiences on how these laws are benefitting them.”
The pro-reforms farmer groups also threatened to start a protest if new laws repealed
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Meet Farmer Leaders
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) on Saturday in Delhi.
Chilla and Ghazipur Borders Closed for Traffic
Delhi Traffic Police on Saturday said that Chilla and Ghazipur borders are closed for traffic from Noida and Ghaziabad to Delhi due to farmers protests. People are advised to take an alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Apsara and Bhopra borders.