‘Govt is Ready to Deliberate on Demands’: Amit Shah to Farmers
Catch all the live updates of the farmers’ ‘Dilli Chalo’ protests here.
As farmers from Punjab and Haryana camp at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Delhi’s Burari to protest against the Centre’s farm laws, Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, 26 November, said, “The government is ready to deliberate on every problem and demand of the farmers.”
The protesting farmers had earlier told the media that the protests will continue till the laws aren’t withdrawn by the Centre.
Thousands of farmers defied tear gas, water cannons and police barricades on Friday, 27 November, to enter Delhi through the Tikri border after receiving permission to hold peaceful protests at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Delhi’s Burari area.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday held Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh responsible for the protests and said that “he has inputs of some unwanted elements raising pro-Khalistan slogans at the protests.”
- The Centre has asked the farmers to meet on 3 December
- Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, in a tweet, welcomed the Centre’s decision to allow farmers’ entry
- Farmers representing 31 farm bodies reached Delhi through several routes – Lalru, Shambhu, Patiala-Pehowa, Patran-Khanauri, Moonak-Tohana, Ratia-Fatehabad, and Talwandi-Sirsa.
- Several politicians have condemned the use of force by Haryana Police on the protesting farmers
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Security Deployed at Tikri Border
Heavy security has been deployed at the Tikri border after protesting farmers gathered there despite being given permission to hold their demonstrations at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Delhi.
Farmers from Fatehgarh Sahib to Join Delhi Protests
Farmers from Fatehgarh Sahib are on their way to Delhi to protest against Centre's farm laws.
'Here for the Long Haul': Protesting Farmers
Farmers protesting at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Delhi’s Burari said that they will continue protests till the farm laws aren’t withdrawn.
“Our protest will continue till the farm laws are not withdrawn. We are here for the long haul,” a farmer told ANI.
Bharatiya Kisan Union Slams Government
Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bharatiya Kisan Union said that the government has failed to address issues of farmers.
“The government has failed to address the issues of the farmers. We are proceeding to Delhi now,” he told ANI en route Delhi from Meerut.
Khattar Blames Amarinder for Farmers' Protets
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar addressed the media on farmers’ protstests and held Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh responsible for farmers marching to Delhi to protest against the centre's farm laws. He also claimed that "office bearers of the Punjab Chief Minister's Office" were leading the protest.
“Punjab farmers are protesting, Haryana farmers aren’t. I thank Haryana farmers and police for showing restraint. Punjab Chief Minister is fanning this protest. Office bearers of the Punjab CMO are leading the protest,” Khattar said.
Union Agriculture Minister Reiterates Offer for Talks
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reiterated the Centre’s offer for dialogue over farm laws with the protesting farmers.
“Government is ready for talks with farmer unions to resolve their issues. We have invited them for talks on 3 December. I hope that they will come to the meeting. I urge political parties not to play politics in the name of farmers,” he told ANI.
Opposition Leaders Demand 'Larger Ground For Protest'
Several leaders of Opposition parties including NCP's Sharad Pawar, DMK's TR Baalu and CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury has issued a statement regarding the ‘Delhi Chalo’ farmer protest demanding a larger ground for the protest. "The ground is too small for tens of thousands that have reached Delhi," it reads.
Farmers' Protests Backed by Unwanted Elements Who Raised Khalistani Slogans: Khattar
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Saturday that the protests against the Central farm laws were backed by political parties with some unwanted elements raising pro-Khalistan slogans.
"The state has inputs of some unwanted elements raising pro-Khalistan slogans in the ongoing farmers' protests in and around the national capital," he told the media in Gurugram.
The Chief Minister categorically said that he will share more details once the information "is concrete".
"We've inputs of some unwanted elements in the crowd. We've reports, will disclose once it's concrete. They raised such slogans," said the Chief Minister.
Govt is Ready to Deliberate on Demands: Amit Shah to Farmers
Home Minister Amit Shah said, “I appeal to the protesting farmers that govt of India is ready to hold talks. Agriculture Minister has invited them on 3 December for discussion. Govt is ready to deliberate on every problem and demand of the farmers.”
Raising Voice Against Injustice Is Not a Crime, but Duty: Rahul Gandhi on FIRs Against Farmers
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that raising a voice against injustice is not a crime but one's duty and the FIRs registered against farmers by the Modi government won't deter their strong intentions. This fight will continue till the Agri laws are rolled back.
In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi said, "Raising voice against injustice is not a crime but duty. FIRs filed by Modi government police will not deter farmers strong intentions. This fight will continue till the time anti-farm laws are not rolled back. For us, it was Jai Kisan and it will remain forever."
He also attached a news report which said that Police registered a case against thousands of agitating farmers for removing the Police barricades.