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The protesting farmers had earlier told the media that the protests will continue till the laws aren’t withdrawn by the Centre.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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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.
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.”
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.
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.
