Farmers' protest highlights: Traffic to Delhi hit as pro-Farm Law farmers gather in Noida

For more latest updates on the protests, click here.

Delhi Police stopped the Congress convoy which was headed to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 24, and later detained party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Chanakyapuri’s Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Pragya said that only the leaders with permission will be allowed to go the Bhavan.

During the protest, Priyanka said, “Any dissent against this govt is classified as having elements of terror. We are undertaking this march to voice our support for the farmers. It is very clear that the government is not listening to the farmers. I think people have forgotten that it is a democratic country and the government should listen to the demands of the farmers.”

Later, Congress leader along with Priyanka Gandhi were detained by the Delhi Police.

Protesting farmer unions alleged on Thursday that the government's latest letter for talks is nothing but a propaganda against the peasants to create an impression that they are not interested in dialogue and asked it to put the scrapping of the three recent farm laws in the agenda to resume the parley.

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Protesting farmer unions alleged on Thursday that the government's latest letter for talks is nothing but a propaganda against the peasants to create an impression that they are not interested in dialogue and asked it to put the scrapping of the three recent farm laws in the agenda to resume the parley.

The unions said the minimum support price (MSP) cannot be separated from the demand of repealing the contentious agriculture laws, asserting that the issue of a legal guarantee for the MSP is a key part of their agitation.

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of 40 farmer unions protesting at three border points of Delhi -- Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur -- for the last 27 days, is likely to hold a meeting on Friday to discuss the Centre's letter and respond to it formally.

(PTI)

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi releasing the next instalment of funds for farmers under a central welfare scheme, the NCP on Thursday accused him of depositing money in peasants accounts when polls are around.

Speaking to reporters here, Maharashtra minister and NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the BJP is not a party of farmers, but of those who loot agricultural produce".

Countering him, the Maharashtra BJP said the Modi government has taken several steps in the interest of farmers and alleged it is the NCP which did not help cultivators when in power.

The prime minister will release the next instalment of financial benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) on Friday via video-conferencing.

(PTI)

In a major outreach to farmers, the BJP has made plans to ensure participation of over one crore of them at thousands of venues across the nation on Friday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi transfers Rs 18,000 crore to nine crore farmers and interacts with a section of them.

BJP leaders, from Union ministers to its MPs, MLAs, all elected representatives besides organisational members, will fan out across the country to attend the programme and speak to farmers as well.

The exercise comes at a time when some farmer unions have been agitating for weeks at Delhi's borders against the three recently enacted farm laws and seeking that the legislations be repealed, a demand rejected by the government which has described them as beneficial for farmers.

It coincides with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth anniversary which the BJP observes every year as "good governance day" since it came to power at the Centre in 2014.

(PTI)

Union minister Prakash Javadekar accused the Congress of ignoring farmers' interests and keeping them poor to ensure cheap grain prices, and asserted that the Modi government empowered them by implementing the Swaminathan commission report to give them remunerative price through MSP.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be present at Gaushala temple in Kishangarh village, Mehrauli, South West Delhi at 11 am to hear PM Narendra Modi's virtual address to farmers tomorrow pic.twitter.com/wEJAzsl7uO

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2020

Eleven Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Sitaram Yechury, on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making "baseless" allegations against them that they were “repeatedly lying” to the farmers about the new farm laws and “using them for their politics”.

The leaders issued a joint statement saying Modi's remarks were a "complete travesty of truth" and called for the repeal of the controversial laws before inviting protesting farmers and other stakeholders for a discussion on agrarian reforms.

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The Centre on Thursday stated that it has no records of any kind pertaining to meetings or discussions with farmers' organisations before finalising the threefarm bills.

The Centre informed Mumbai-based activist Jatin Desai in response to a query filed under Right to Information Act (RTI).

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The Centre should repeal the new agri laws as they are making farmers feel insecure about their future, Congress leader Sachin Pilot said on Thursday.

The former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan said the Congress is working hard to ensure that the organisation and the state government fulfil the promises made to the people of the state.

"The centre should stop being stubborn and withdraw the farm laws with immediate effect. The farmers are feeling insecure about their future. They are very concerned,” Pilot told reporters in Pali.

(PTI)

‘लगेगी आग तो आएँगे घर कई ज़द में,
यहाँ पे सिर्फ़ हमारा मकान थोड़ी है...’ pic.twitter.com/nqTB8GM5M2

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 24, 2020

The government on Thursday again invited protesting farmer unions for talks but made it clear that it would not be "logical" to include in the agenda any new demand related to minimum support price (MSP), which is out of the purview of three new farm laws.

In a three-page letter written to 40 farmer leaders, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Vivek Aggarwal said, "I again request you that the government has been discussing all issues with open heart and good intention to end the protest, and will continue to do so. Kindly suggest a date and time (for the next round of talks)."

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Traffic movement from Noida to Delhi was affected on Thursday afternoon as hundreds of farmers, who support the Centre's new agriculture laws, assembled near the Mahamaya Flyover here, officials said.

These farmers, belonging to various districts of western Uttar Pradesh, have come for the demonstration on the call of farmers' union Kisan Sena and want to go to Delhi to meet Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, according to the outfit's conevnor Thakur Gauri Shankar Singh.

This demonstration in Noida comes even as two major farmers' unions – the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) and the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti) – are camping at the city's border for over three weeks now to demand the repeal of the three new central farm laws.

(PTI)

"I had to reach Singhu because if the farm legislations are not repealed, I will lose my livelihood," claimed Sukhpal Bajwa, a farm labourer from Punjab who cycled 370 kms for two days to reach Delhi to support the farmers' agitation against the Centre's new agri laws.

Standing by his cycle, the 36-year-old from Punjab Moga's district said he could have taken a bus or a train to Delhi, but that could mean his family would have to go hungry.

"What can I do when I don't own a vehicle. I am a daily-wager and can barely make ends meet by working in a farm. Bus or train would have been expensive, I thought it is better if my family spends that money on their food," said Bajwa.

The journey was tough and "this was also the first time that I travelled this far all alone, completing over 370 kms from my village in Moga", he said, adding that it took him two days, with a few breaks, to reach the Delhi (Singhu) border, whereas in a motor vehicle, the same distance would have taken around six hours.

(PTI)

A copy of the memorandum submitted by the Congress delegation to the President of India, today. https://t.co/B4taPQwoKq pic.twitter.com/8gdmHMdECm

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2020

Many farmers camping at Delhi's Singhu border complaining of headache, cold, fever and joint pain prefer the powder handed out by Dr Mohammad Salimuddin, which he says is made of herbs, over pills offered by multiple free medical camps there.

At the camp set up by the Bharatiya Kisan Samiti, Dr Salimuddin's table is lined with boxes, containing powder, labelled turmeric, ashwagandha, black pepper and fenugreek seeds among others.

For joint pains, he recommends a mixture of turmeric and ashwagandha, while black pepper does the trick for cold. "Prolonged use of these herbs can cure any ailment," he said.

"We have about 100-150 patients everyday, and most of them complain about cold, headache, fever and joint pains. A majority of the farmers coming to us are elderly suffering from knee and back pain aggravated due to the cold," said the doctor who has been practising herbal medicine in Hyderabad for the last 20-years.

When asked why he expects farmers to come to him, instead of the other medical camps offering modern treatment, a patient jumped in to reply, "We are farmers and we have always believed in 'desi' treatments more than anything else."

(PTI)

We register our strong protest against baseless allegations being made by PM accusing opposition parties of “repeatedly lying” to farmers about new farm laws& “using them for their politics”. PM's accusations are a complete travesty of truth, according to the joint statement released by Opposition parties.

"We demand that the present Agri Laws be repealed along with the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020. Following this, discussions on agrarian reforms must be held by the Central government with the farmers and all stakeholders," the statement said.

"Farmers from Baghpat have given me a letter in support of Centre's Farm Laws. They've told me that govt shouldn't buckle under any pressure to make amendments to Farm bills," Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar after meeting Kisaan Mazdoor Sangh members from Baghpat.

"Whatever Rahul Gandhi says, even Congress doesn't take it seriously. Today when he went to register his protest with President with signatures, these farmers told me that no one from Congress came to them to get their signature," he said.

The government on Thursday again invited protesting farmer unions for talks, but made it clear that it would not be "logical" to include in the agenda any new demand related to minimum support price (MSP), which is out of the purview of three new farm laws.

In a three-page letter written to 40 farmer leaders, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Vivek Aggarwal said, "I again request you that the government has been discussing all issues with open heart and good intention to end the protest, and will continue to do so. Kindly suggest a date and time (for the next round of talks)."

Previous five rounds of talks between the government and the unions have failed to break the deadlock with the farmers insisting on repeal of the three laws and camping at various border points of Delhi for nearly a month now.

Aggarwal asked the union leaders to provide details of other issues they want to discuss. The talks will be held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi at a ministerial level, he said.

On MSP, Aggarwal said the farm laws have no connection with the price regime nor would have any impact on the procurement of farm produce at the fixed rates.

This has been told to the unions in every discussion and it has also been made clear that the government is ready to give written assurance on MSP, he said.

(PTI)

Gandhi along with Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury met President Kovind and handed over to him a memorandum signed by two crore farmers seeking withdrawal of the three legislations.

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Sharpening its attack on the government over the new three farm laws, Congress leaders on Thursday staged a strong protest outside the party headquarters here after they were prevented from marching towards Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party MPs and leaders staged a sit-in protest outside their office and were detained by the Delhi Police for violating prohibitory orders.

The Congress had planned a protest march from the party office at Akbar Road to Rashtrapati Bhawan, where Congress leaders were to meet President Ram Nath Kovind and hand over a memorandum signed by 2 crore farmers.

However, the Delhi Police imposed section 144 CrPC around the Rashtrapati Bhawan, including the Congress office, following which the protesting Congress leaders were detained and taken to Mandir Marg police station.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury later met President Ram Nath Kovind and demanded withdrawal of the three farm laws.

"We told the president that the laws are anti-farmer and that farmers and labourers will suffer due to them. The government said these laws are in favour of the farmers, but the country is seeing that farmers are against these laws," Rahul Gandhi said.

"The farmers would not return till these laws are taken back. The government should convene a joint session of Parliament and repeal these laws," he told reporters after meeting the president.

(PTI)

Delhi: A delegation of 60 farmers belonging to Kisaan Majdoor Sangh, Baghpat meets Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at Krishi Bhawan pic.twitter.com/v1KWxShAKZ

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2020

Delhi: Basketball player Satnam Singh joins farmers' protest at Singhu border.

"We stand with farmers. We have come to offer our services so they don't face any problems," he says. pic.twitter.com/5BTWWy3nlR

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2020

Govt writes to agitating farmers, asking them to decide the date and time for the next round of talks. "Govt is committed to reaching logical solutions of the issues raised by you," it reads. pic.twitter.com/tBglPwi8fs

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2020

(PTI)

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti) has moved the Supreme Court challenging the three new farm laws, against which various farmer unions are staging protest at several border points of Delhi, and sought impleadment in the matter pending in the apex court.

In an application seeking impleadment in the pending petition, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti) has claimed that the new farm laws “promote corporate interest” and are not concerned with the “interest of farmers”.

(PTI)

Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs will arrive at the state Assembly here on tractors on December 28 as a mark of protest against the Centre's three new farm laws and rise in fuel prices, a party legislator said on Thursday.

The three-day winter session of the state Assembly will begin from Monday.

(PTI)

“Bella Ciao”, the anthem of resistance across the world, now has a Punjabi version that echoes with the sounds of farmers protesting and 27-year-old Poojan Sahil who created the song can’t be happier at its acceptance and success.

The video of the song has almost 2.7 lakh views on YouTube in less than a week and is being widely shared across social media platforms.

(PTI)

Around 50-60 Congress workers were detained today who joined party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and Gulam Nabi Azad at 24 Akbar Road to march towards Rashtrapati Bhawan to meet the President for submission of their memorandum: Delhi Police

#WATCH | There is no democracy in India. It can be in your imagination, but not in reality: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Delhi Police taking party leaders into custody during their march to Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/7oYfUDEkEM

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2020

(ANI)

Delhi Police take Priyanka Gandhi and other party leaders to Mandir Marg Police Station in New Delhi. https://t.co/YHBbXmF8nC pic.twitter.com/IDKwfV7N3a

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2020

(ANI)

(PTI)

Sometimes they say we are so weak that we don't qualify as Opposition and sometimes, they say that we are so powerful that we have made lakhs of farmers camp at the border (of Delhi) for a month. They should first decide what we are: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi

(ANI)

(ANI)

We're living in democracy & they are elected MPs. They have the right to meet the President & they should be allowed. What is problem with that? Govt is not ready to listen to voices of lakhs of farmers camping at borders: Congress' Priyanka Gandhi after being stopped by police

(ANI)

They were taking out a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan to submit to the President a memorandum containing 2 crore signatures seeking his intervention in farm laws issue.

(ANI)

Congress' march to Rashtrapati Bhavan stopped by police. "Any dissent against this govt is classified as having elements of terror. We are undertaking this march to voice our support for the farmers," says Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi.

(ANI)

BJP chief JP Nadda has instructed party MPs, MLAs & other party leaders to attend tomorrow's programme at block level, which will be held for farmers to listen to PM Modi's address on the occasion of the transfer of 18,000 crores in accounts of 9 crore farmers under PM-KISAN.

(ANI)

Rahul Gandhi is leading a delegation of party MPs to the President seeking withdrawal of the three farm laws.

We will march to Rashtrapati Bhavan. We want govt to atone for their complete lack of consulting farmers before passing these bills. I think President has an important moral role in encouraging & guiding govt to not stand on their legislative pride: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor

(ANI)

The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Wednesday provided 700 water geysers to the farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws at the national capital's borders in the biting cold.

(PTI)

(ANI)

(ANI)

"We have registered cases against 13 farmers under various sections of Indian Penal Code & have initiated a probe into the matter," says DSP Ambala Madan Lal.

(ANI)

Fixation of meeting for rule framing for 4 Labour Codes in a day for few hours is not only great injustice to the working class but denial to all the procedures necessary in framing of legislations and undermining the basic human rights: Ten central trade unions @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/DTQwglwMlR

— Shemin (@shemin_joy) December 24, 2020

Asserting that the ball is in the Centre's court, protesting farmer unions on Wednesday asked it to come up with a new concrete proposal for resumption of talks, even as Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar underscored that dialogue was the only way for a solution and the government was committed to reforms in the farm sector.

(PTI)

Terming the Left parties' stand on three recent farm laws "hypocritical", the BJP accused them on Wednesday of "exploiting" farmers while they were in power in Tripura, Kerala and West Bengal.

Wherever the Left parties were in power, there was "nothing left" for farmers and the economy, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters here.

The Congress held protests across Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday against the contentious farm laws by clapping, and clanging of pots and pans in an attempt to wake up the government from "deep slumber".

In a show of solidarity to the farmers protesting near Delhi, Congress workers and leaders participated in the programme across the state by going to the residences and offices of various public representatives of the BJP.

(PTI)

Rashtriya Lok Dal national vice-president Jayant Chaudhary on Wednesday asked farmers to unite against the farm laws and said his party will back them.

Paying tributes to his grandfather and former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary, the RLD leader said if farmers failed to raise their voice against the laws, then they may lose their land and identity.

(PTI)

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday called for a "united nationwide initiative for fighting autocratic tendencies" and for the setting up of a "genuinely federal structure" in the country.

(PTI)

Farmer union Kisan Sena said thousands of its members from western Uttar Pradesh will march to Delhi on Thursday in support of the Centre’s new agriculture laws.

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A breakthrough in farmers’ protest eluded for another day on Wednesday with the protesting unions asking the Centre to come up with a “new, concrete” proposal for resumption of talks.

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While addressing a press conference in the national capital on December 23, Union Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar said, “I am hopeful that Farmers' unions will discuss our request. Whatever they want to add and subtract from government's proposal, they should tell us.”

“We are ready for a discussion at the time and date of their convenience. I am hopeful of a solution,” he added.

Terming the Left parties' stand on the three farm laws "hypocritical", the BJP on Wednesday accused them of "exploiting" the farmers while in power in Tripura, Kerala and West Bengal.

Wherever the Left parties were in power, there was "nothing left" for the farmers and the economy, party spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters.

"For 25 years, till 2018, there was a Left government in Tripura. I feel sad in saying that there was no MSP in the state for 25 years. Today, the Left leaders are acting as well wishers of the farmers, but all they did was to exploit them.

"The first thing the BJP did after coming to power in Tripura in 2018 was procurement of paddy. As much as 48,716 tonnes of paddy was procured from 27,735 farmers at an expenditure of Rs 86.65 crore," he said.

Under the Left government, farmers in Tripura were selling rice for Rs 10-12 per kilogramme. Now, under the BJP government they are selling it for Rs 18.50, he claimed.

(PTI)

"The way Centre is carrying this process of talks, it's clear that govt wants to delay this issue & break morale of protesting farmers'. Govt is taking our issues lightly, I'm warning them to take cognizance of this matter & find a solution soon," said Yudhvir Singh, Bhartiya Kisan Union.

(ANI)

The way Centre is carrying this process of talks, it's clear that govt wants to delay this issue & break morale of protesting farmers'. Govt is taking our issues lightly, I'm warning them to take cognizance of this matter & find a solution soon:Yudhvir Singh, Bhartiya Kisan Union https://t.co/JkkfhdMArC pic.twitter.com/AgD9uIIGid

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2020

Protesting farmer unions on Wednesday asked the government to not repeat "meaningless" amendments to the new agri laws that they have already rejected but come up a concrete proposal in writing for another round of talks.

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The letter by Singh, who is camping at the Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida along with his faction members since December 2, came as protestors marked the birth anniversary of former prime minister and farmers' leader Chaudhary Charan Singh.

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United Farmers Front today has written a letter to govt.Govt's new letter is a fresh attempt to defame farmers' association, said Yogendra Yadav, Swaraj India.

"We urge the govt not to repeat those meaningless amendments which we have rejected but come up with a concrete proposal in writing so that it can be made an agenda, and the process of negotiation can be started as soon as possible," he said,

We urge the govt not to repeat those meaningless amendments which we have rejected but come up with a concrete proposal in writing so that it can be made an agenda, and the process of negotiation can be started as soon as possible: Yogendra Yadav at Singhu border https://t.co/oAWu3hO97f

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2020

(ANI)

We have already told Home Minister Amit Shah that protesting farmers will not accept amendments, says farmer leader Shiv Kumar Kakka.

Central govt should create conducive environment for talks with protesting farmers, he told PTI.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the continuation of farmers' protests despite the government's attempts to clear their apprehensions on the new agri laws shows cultivators are being "provoked and misled" by the Opposition.

"It is being said repeatedly said that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will not be abolished but farmers are still getting misled on this. It is being said again and again that the 'mandis' will not end. The prime minister has said mandis are being connected with technology, but farmers are being misled on this as well. What kind of politics is this?" Adityanath said.

(PTI)

Haryana Police has registered a case against 13 farmers on various charges including attempt to murder and rioting after a group of peasants protesting against the Centre's new farm laws had allegedly blocked and hurled sticks at Chief Minister M L Khattar's convoy.

On Tuesday, a group of protesting farmers had showed black flags to Khattar when his convoy was passing through Ambala City.

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PM Narendra Modi (in file pic) will release next instalment of financial benefit under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) on December 25 via video conferencing. PM will enable the transfer of more than Rs 18,000 crores to more than 9 crores beneficiary farmer families, according to the PMO.

PM Modi will also have a conversation with farmers from 6 different states during the event. The farmers will share their experiences with PM-KISAN & also on various other initiatives taken by govt for farmers' welfare. Agriculture Minister will also be present.

On the occasion of Kisan Diwas, a meeting is being held with representatives of the Confederation of NGOs of rural India under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture pic.twitter.com/mTLLZTxJtC

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2020

Union Home Minister Amit Shah pays tribute to former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary, says his devotion for the welfare of farmers, struggles and simplistic life will always guide everyone

A decision on the government's offer for fresh talks to resolve the deadlock over contentious farm laws is likely to be taken later in the day by protesting farmer unions who urged people on Wednesday to skip one meal on 'Kisan Diwas', the birth anniversary of former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, in support of their stir.

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The fact that the Kerala Governor has not allowed a special session of the State Assembly to convene for the discussion of the farmers' issues, is an undemocratic & anti-constitutional act. It is very unfortunate: Congress MP K Suresh

I could not understand what is 'black' in these farm laws. This 'tukde-tukde gang' is the one instigating and misleading the farmers. So far, no one could explain the 'black laws': Madhya Pradesh Minister Narottam Mishra on Congress supporting farmers' agitation

Farmers' protests against agricultural laws on the Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border are continuing. "The letter that the government has sent will be answered today," the protester said. "We are ready to talk 24 hours but they don't want to talk because they have a lost mind. "

Farmers perform 'havan' at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in Ghazipur on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. Farmers' agitation against the three farm laws at the Ghazipur border entered its 27th day today.

On Farmers Day, I greet farmers of the country. They have provided the country with food security. Some farmers are agitating against farm laws. Govt is holding talks with them with full sensitivity. I hope that they'll end their agitation soon: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Afarmerfrom Punjab on Tuesday took exception to the alleged use of his photograph by the BJP to put across a point that the minimum support price (MSP) will continue, saying he himself was part of thefarmers' protest against the three farm laws.

A Democratic American lawmaker on Tuesday urged the Indian government to provide safety to the protesting farmers as he hailed the recent offers of dialogue and a proposal from India's Supreme Court to set up mediation.

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The Congress will hold a statewide protest across Uttar Pradesh in support of the farmers' agitation on Wednesday marking the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, the UP Congress said its party workers will 'gherao' offices and residences of BJP MPs, MLAs and public representatives in the state in support of protesting farmers, and also hold demonstrations by clapping and beating steel plates. -PTI

The newly-formed social media cell of the farmers' collective announced on Tuesday that a web conference would be conducted to address all queries regarding the three new farm laws and the protest against it.

The webinar, to be hosted on video conference platform Zoom on Thursday noon, will be open for the first "10,000 people" registering on the link, which they would disclose. Those who cannot make it to the first 10,000 can watch the webinar on social media platforms, it said. -PTI

Senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra Assembly speaker Haribhau Bagade on Tuesday said he had met social activist and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and explained him the details of the three farm laws introduced by the Centre.

Hazare had, on December 14, written to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar warning of a hunger strike if his demands, like implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee recommendations and granting autonomy to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), were not accepted. -PTI

The Opposition Congress on Tuesday staged a walkout from the Uttarakhand Assembly in protest against the Centre’s new farm laws, saying they were meant to destroy farmers.

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Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan declined approval for a special assembly session planned on Wednesday to discuss and pass a resolution against the three contentious central farm laws, against which farmers have been protesting near Delhi.

Khan's decision on Tuesday evoked a sharp response from the government side with Agricultural Minister V S Sunil Kumar calling it 'undemocratic', while opposition Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said it was unfortunate and against "democratic values". -PTI

As farmers' agitation against three farm laws entered its 27th day, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Tuesday he is hopeful that protesting unions would soon complete their internal discussions and resume talks with the government to resolve the crisis.

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Representatives of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, Gautam Budh Nagar, UP & Indian Kisan Union, New Delhi gave memorandum in favour of new farm laws. They thanked the PM & said that these laws will improve the conditions of farmers & shouldn't be repealed: Union Agriculture Minister pic.twitter.com/aHVQGvJhb0

— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020

As farmers' agitation against three farm laws entered its 27th day, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Tuesday he is hopeful that protesting unions would soon complete their internal discussions and resume talks with the government to resolve the crisis.

He met two more peasants' bodies from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh that extended support to the legislations.

"Representatives of different farmers' bodies had come to tell that the laws are good and are in the interest of farmers. They had come to urge the government not make any amendments to the laws," Tomar said after meeting the two groups.

"I am hopeful they (protesting farmers' unions) will soon complete their internal discussions and come forward for talks. We will be able to find a solution successfully," the minister said. -PTI

The UK PM is scheduled to visit India on 26th January. We are writing to British MPs asking them to stop the UK PM from visiting India till the time farmers' demands are not met by the Indian government: Kulwant Singh Sandhu, farmer leader from Punjab at Singhu border https://t.co/m2Z0ReXFrd

— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020

A group of farmers protesting against the Centre's new agri laws on Tuesday showed black flags to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar when his convoy was passing through Ambala City, sources said.

Some of the farmers allegedly tried to block Khattar's motorcade but police managed to provide a safe passage to the chief minister, sources said.

Khattar had come to Ambala to address public meetings in support of party's mayoral and ward candidates for the upcoming civic bodies polls. -PTI

Farmers agitating at Ghazipur (Delhi-UP) Border open one way of the road for the commuters.

"Reopening of this road is convenient for us as we are able to save some time," says a commuter travelling from Delhi to Ghaziabad. pic.twitter.com/Rhw67oOfVz

— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020

CPI(M) on Tuesday alleged that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami was supporting the 'anti-people' policies of the Centre, like the farm laws, to save his government and post.

The CM should have opposed the three 'anti-farmer' laws, which also deprive the rights of the state, for the benefit of lakhs offarmersin Tamil Nadu, the party's state secretary K Balakrishnan told reporters here. -PTI

Social media giant Facebook said Kisan Ekta Morcha's page had been taken down after its automated systems found increased activity and flagged it as spam, and that the page was restored in less than three hours.

Facebook had faced criticism from various quarters after the page - which is run by a farmers' collective - was taken down on Sunday evening.

"As per our review, our automated systems found an increased activity on the (Kisan Ekta Morcha) Facebook page and flagged it as spam, which violates our Community Standards. We restored the page in less than three hours when we became aware of the context," a Facebook spokesperson said. -PTI

Ghazipur border closed for traffic from Delhi to Ghaziabad. It was already closed for traffic from Ghaziabad to Delhi. Traffic diverted from Nizammudin Khattha, Akshardham & Ghazipur Chowk for onward journey via Anand Vihar, Apsara, Bhopra,DND: Addl CP Traffic, Outer Range, Delhi

Delhi: Protesting farmers block Ghazipur (Delhi-Ghaziabad) border completely.

Traffic from Delhi towards Ghazipur & Ghaziabad on Delhi-Meerut Expressway affected as both side carriageways closed for traffic. pic.twitter.com/jHMkpQJIch

— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020

Modi govt seems to be in this ego clash with farmers. Demands of Indian farmers are reasonable. Centre must let go of this ego & agree to all demands of farmers. No resolution seems to be in sight. Govt must repeal 3 black laws with immediate effect: AAP Leader Raghav Chadha

Farmersprotesting against agriculture laws on Jaipur-Delhi highway in Alwar's Shahjahapur on Monday accused the Centre of not looking into their demands despite a threat to their livelihood.

The livelihood offarmersis at stake but the government is paying no heed to their demands, they told reporters.

Thousands offarmersfrom Maharashtra on Monday left for Delhi from Nashik to join the ongoing agitation by cultivators seeking the repeal of three agri laws passed by the Centre.

Thefarmers, who started off in private vehicles, were led by leaders of the Kisan Sabha.

Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, a joint forum of farmers' organisations, protesting at the Delhi borders against the Centre's farm laws on Monday appealed to the farmers in Bihar to join the agitation to get the benefit of minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.

At a press conference, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said the three farm laws were brought to benefit the capitalists and reiterated the demand to withdraw them and provide legal guarantee for MSP of 23 crops.

The "maximum impact" of disintegration of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) has been seen in Bihar. The farmers in Bihar have been forced to the verge of misery and to seek employment in other states since they do not get the MSP for their crops, a statement said. -PTI

Converting the minimum support price regime to a floor price of auction on the national agri market (eNAM) portal and creating a contract farming institute can help solve the current impasse over the three new farm laws which are being opposed by farmers, says a report by SBI Research.

The report also suggests that instead of MSP as a price guarantee that farmers are demanding, the government could insert a quantity guarantee clause for a minimum of five years that procurement to production percentage of crops will be at least equal to last year's percentage with safeguards in exceptional events like droughts and floods. -PTI

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday accused the Centre of the bid to “defame” agitatingfarmersby raising the “bogey of talks” to create an impression that it is reasonable andfarmersare wrong, according to a statement.

After paying obeisance at Gurudwara Katalgarh Sahib on the occasion of Shaheedi Jor Mela, Badal said, “The Centre is trying to tire outfarmersby starting talks from the very beginning again. This is a futile exercise when thefarmerorganisations have already rejected the three agriculture laws and want them repealed.” -PTI

Haryana Congress chief Kumari Selja on Monday attacked the Centre, saying farmers have been protesting against agriculture laws for weeks but their plight has failed to move it.

Selja claimed that over 30 protesting farmers have died but all this did not have any effect on the BJP government, which has "crossed all limits of insensitivity".

"The attitude of the BJP government reminds us of the oppression launched by the British against people of the country,” she said in a statement here.

“More than 30 farmers have so far lost their lives for which the BJP government is directly responsible. The ruthless BJP government is dogged by its arrogance,” the former Union Minister claimed. -PTI

In this biting cold conditions, farmers are protesting against farm laws. Govt must listen to them. I would suggest govt & PM leave their stubbornness behind. They must repeal these laws. These laws were made in a hurry which has led to this situation: Anand Sharma, Congress

Arhtiyas in Punjab will keep their shops shut for four days from Tuesday in protest against income tax raids allegedly conducted to intimidate them for supporting the farmers’ stir against the Centre’s agriculture laws, according to a body representing them.

The Federation of Arhtiyas said income tax raids have been conducted on the premises of six commission agents in the past a few days.

“We have decided to shut our shops for four days to protest the action of the Income Tax Department against arhtiyas,” said Vijay Kalra, president of the federation. -PTI

A 65-year-old Punjab farmer protesting against the Centre’s agriculture laws attempted suicide by taking some poisonous substance near the Delhi’s Singhu border on Monday, a police official said.

Niranjan Singh, who hails from Punjab’s Tarn Taran, was admitted to the Rohtak’s PGIMS and his condition is stated to be stable, the official said.

Before the suicide bid, the farmer left a note behind, which is being verified by police.

“We are in the process of recording his statement,” the official said when asked about the reason behind the suicide attempt. -PTI

A day after Facebook temporarily shut down a page on the ongoing farmers agitation against the Centre’s new farm laws, the protestors on Monday said social media was crucial for their movement as it allowed them to tell the “truth in their our own words”.

The social media giant had Sunday evening shut down the page of ‘Kisan Ekta Morcha’ that shares “official updates” on the agitation, only to restore it three hours later following social media outrage.

The Kisan Ekta Morcha’s Instagram page was also temporarily suspended.

“Social media plays an important role in our movement. While all kinds of media are writing about us, social media helps us tell our truth in our own words. The ‘godi’ media will never show the reality, but on social media, we can share what is actually happening,” Himmat Singh, a farmer camping at Singhu border, said. -PTI

A dip in the capital's minimum temperature and scores of women joining the ongoing farmers' protest has resulted in a make-shift 'tent city' propping up at a petrol pump in the Singhu Border area.

While tractor trolleys continue to be the first choice to sleep in for the majority of farmers camping at the Delhi-Haryana highway, the insulated tents are proving to be a welcome addition in providing protection from the winter chill and probable rain.

The tents, which more often than not are booked to the capacity, have already crossed the figure of 200 from just 50 on December 12. They come in three different sizes, depending on which they are available for two, three or five adults along with children. -PTI

Tens of thousands of Indian farmers, protesting over agricultural laws that they say threaten their livelihoods, have vowed to carry on their around-the-clock sit-ins despite cold weather that has already led to some deaths among them.

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Several protestingfarmersqueued up here at the Singhu border on Monday to register their names for a blood donation camp set up by a Ludhiana-based NGO.

More than 240 protestingfarmershave so far donated blood at the camp, which began on Sunday and has been set up by Rehras Sewa Society.

A four-member team of the NGO, along with nine members of the blood bank, started their camp here at the Singhu border on Sunday around 10.30 am and by 5 pm, 190farmershad donated blood.

Maharashtra: Members of farmer's organisation in Nashik move towards Delhi to support the farmers' protest against the Centre's #FarmLaws.

"We are going to join and support the farmers' protest. We'll not stop till these three laws are repealed," says a farmer. pic.twitter.com/PqXxvY5rbO

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2020

Farmer leaders on Monday said they are always ready for dialogue as long as the government is offering a "concrete solution", but claimed that there is nothing new in the Centre's latest letter to them seeking a date for the next round of talks.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said that the government, in its letter, mentioned that it wants to hold talks over its earlier proposal of amendments in the new agri laws.

"On this issue (government's proposal), we did not talk to them earlier. We are currently discussing how to respond to the government letter," Tikait told PTI.

Congress' youth outfit IYC on Monday demonstrated against the Centre's agri laws at the Krishi Bhawan here and demanded justice for the farmers who have died during the over three week long stir at Delhi borders.

The farmers have gathered at all the borders of Delhi in the biting cold and are demanding that the government repeal the "black laws", said Srinivas B V, president of Indian Youth Congress (IYC).

"In the last 25 days, more than 25 farmers have been martyred in this movement. The government should not underestimate the strength of farmers," he said. -PTI

For a government that reflexively fends off criticism and dissent through diminution rather than discussion, the farmers’ protest is a googly it just doesn't know how to play. Some in the government have tried waving labels, such as “Khalistani”, “Maoist”, “tukde, tukde”, perhaps out of sheer habit. But clearly, politics of this kind has its limits. Even the prime minister has had to cast the farmers as “misled" by opposition parties, rather than paint them as villains.

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A group of 11 farmers here sat on an indefinite relay fast against the three agri laws in Bindki area, police said on Monday.

The farmers, led by District Panchayat member Bablu Kalia, sat on the relay fast from Sunday at Ambedkar party, Station House Officer Bindki Satyendra Singh said.

Bablu said that the new farm laws are "death warrant" for the farmers and they will protest it till they are withdrawn.

The SHO said that on Sunday they left after giving memorandum to the district administration but on Monday they again came and are sitting on the fast. -PTI

We'll go & meet those farmers' groups who're supporting the Centre on 3 Farm laws. We'll take information from them about how they're benefitting from Farm law & will learn the technology, which they're using to sell their crops: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union pic.twitter.com/yHGz6iUo4p

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2020

The farmers marched on the capital in late November to protest at new farm laws they fear will destroy their livelihoods, but police firing tear gas and water cannon stopped them in their tracks.

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Finance Minister Thomas Isaac in a tweet said: "Kerala cabinet decided to convene a special session of the legislative assembly on 23rd December before the scheduled session to discuss and reject the controversial farm laws. Kerala in total solidarity with the farmers struggle."

Read more here

Intensifying their agitation against the Centre's new agri laws, farmers began their day-long 'relay' hunger strike on a chilly Monday morning at all sites of protest on Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

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Delhi: As farmers' protest against Centre's three farm laws enters 26th day at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border), farmers say they'll sit on relay hunger strike from today

"Everyday 11 farmers will sit on hunger strike for 24 hours," says Balwant Singh, Secretary, BKU Punjab pic.twitter.com/hHarNjpRNE

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2020

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare writes a letter to protesting farmers, inviting them for a meet once again. In the letter, govt also sought suggestions for date of meeting from farmers' leaders. The letter states that the govt is ready to discuss farmers' apprehensions. pic.twitter.com/NyEUMD7LNa

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2020

Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), one of Punjab’s largest farmer organisations protesting against the recent farm laws, on Sunday said it has been asked by a central agency to submit its registration details which allow it to receive foreign funds.

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The Congress on Sunday questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the ongoing farmers' protests against the Centre's new farm laws and asked why he had not yet condoled the demise of 33 protesters.

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Addressing a “Jal Adhikar Rally” in south Haryana's Narnaul, where a galaxy of senior BJP leaders from the state wasin attendance, Khattar said the Centre is committed to doubling the farmers' income by 2022.

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The government on Sunday asked protesting farmer unions to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the new agri laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.

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As the farmers' protest against three farm laws entered the 25th day, yet another peasants' body from western Uttar Pradesh met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday to extend support to the legislations.

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Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat joined farmers protesting against the Centre's agricultural reform laws at the Ghazipur border on Sunday and demanded the government take back the "anti-farmer" legislations.

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The standoff between the Union government and the farmers has reached an intense phase. Both sides are firmly sticking to their stand with regard to the claims and demands. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again reiterated the government’s stand on the farm laws.

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