4 years ago
New Delhi:
Amid massive protests by farmers for the third consecutive day, the government on Saturday said it is ready for talks with them anytime and urged them to call off their agitation.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that while a meeting with 32 protesting farmer unions has already been scheduled on December 3 to address their concerns, the government is ready to engage the unions' leaders before that if they wish to.
"Farmers should end the protest and come for discussion. The Government of India is fully ready for the discussion. If farmer unions' send their proposal, we are ready to consider that," Mr Tomar said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said that the Centre is ready to hold discussions with farmers.
"Some farmers unions and farmers have demanded that talks be held immediately instead of December 3. So, I assure everyone that the central government is ready to hold discussions with you as soon as you shift to the ground (in Burari)," he said.
Punjab farmers resumed their ''Delhi Chalo'' march against the Centre's new farm laws on Saturday morning after halting for the night to join thousands who have already reached the national capital's borders.
By Friday evening, all Haryana Police barricades at the border with Punjab and along the highway to Delhi had been lifted. Hundreds entered the national capital to hold a peaceful protest at a north Delhi ground after facing teargas and water cannons and clashing with security personnel, while thousands remained at border points, undecided whether to go to the demonstration site identified by police.
Farmers protesting against the Centre's three farm laws have expressed apprehension that the laws would pave a way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates.
Here are the Highlights of the farmers' protest:
Nov 28, 2020 23:56 (IST)
Farmers Protest: Akali Dal chief accuses Haryana Chief Minister of maligning agitating farmers
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday accused Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar of "maligning and insulting" farmers protesting against three farm laws and said the party formed a three-member panel to coordinate with like-minded political parties to support farmers' agitation.
In tweets, Mr Badal accused Khattar of seeking to "defame the farmers and their agitation".
"SAD strongly condemns Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar's statement terming our peasants who are agitating against the AntiFarmerLaws as Khalistanis. This is a conspiracy to defame the farmers and their agitation to pave the way for its repression with brutal force," Mr Badal said.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday accused Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar of "maligning and insulting" farmers protesting against three farm laws and said the party formed a three-member panel to coordinate with like-minded political parties to support farmers' agitation.
In tweets, Mr Badal accused Khattar of seeking to "defame the farmers and their agitation".
"SAD strongly condemns Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar's statement terming our peasants who are agitating against the AntiFarmerLaws as Khalistanis. This is a conspiracy to defame the farmers and their agitation to pave the way for its repression with brutal force," Mr Badal said.
Nov 28, 2020 23:13 (IST)
Farmers protest at Ghaziabad's UP Gate
A large number of farmers staged a protest against the Centre's farm laws at the Ghaziabad's UP Gate on Saturday.
Led by Bharatiya Kisan Union's national president Rakesh Tikait, farmers said they will continue their stir till the Centre does not give a written assurance about the continuation of the minimum support price (MSP) system.
Tikait said farmers associated with the body will not go the Delhi's Burari ground, a place earmarked for protests by police.
The protesting farmers will decide the future course of action on Sunday.
Till the Union government does not give us as a written assurance about the MSP for crops, we will continue our stir, Tikait said.
Nov 28, 2020 20:58 (IST)
400 farmers protesting farm laws gather in Delhi's Burari; say they're prepared for a long haul
The farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana and also from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, arrived in trucks and tractors.
Raising slogans, singing songs and carrying flags in reds, greens and blues, around 400 farmers with affiliation to different outfits from a number of states on Saturday gathered at north Delhi's Burari ground where they have been permitted to hold a peaceful protest against the new farm reform laws.
While thousands of farmers stayed put at the Singhu and Tikri borders of Delhi for the third consecutive day amid heavy police presence, many made their way into the national capital and gathered at the Nirankari ground, one of the largest in the city.
Nov 28, 2020 20:31 (IST)
Feeling ''emotional connect'', students join farmers' protest
Arpan further said, "Women are also protesting here as they are emotionally connected to their lands".
Playing the ''dafli'' and singing songs about distress, a number of students from different universities have joined farmers in their protest against the Centre's three agriculture-related laws at the Delhi-Haryana border at Singhu.
Arpan, a student from the Punjab University and a resident of Chandigarh, said she has joined the farmers'' agitation as she felt an "emotional connection" with their land.
"We have come here along with farmers to support them. We have been living here with the farmers and are having food at the langars. We are also singing songs in Punjabi and Hindi to explain the condition of farmers," she said.
Nov 28, 2020 19:34 (IST)
8 opposition parties liken use of tear gas, water cannons on agitating farmers to ''waging war''
"Braving severe repression, tear gassing, heavy water cannons, roadblocks, police barricades and digging up the national highways surrounding Delhi akin to waging a ''war'' on our farmers, tens of thousands of farmers have successfully reached the National Capital of Delhi.
Alleging that the Central farm laws "threatened" India's food security, several opposition parties on Saturday likened attempts by the police to stop the farmers' march towards Delhi by using tear gas, water cannons and by digging up roads to "repression" and "waging a war".
In a joint statement, leaders of eight opposition parties extended their support to the farmers who are protesting the three farm laws.
These leaders are NCP chief Sharad Pawar, DMK''s T R Baalu, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI General Secretary D Raja, RJD MP Manoj Jha, CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, AIFB''s Debabrata Biswas and RSP General Secretary Manoj Bhattacharya.
Nov 28, 2020 19:05 (IST)
Farmers refuse offer of alternate protest site, insist on reaching heart of capital
The numbers of demonstrators swelled at the Singhu border as the farmers camping there for the ''Delhi Chalo'' protest march were joined by more counterparts from Punjab and Haryana, all of them refusing to move towards the Sant Nirankari ground, one of the largest in the national capital.
The farmers will not relent till they reach Central Delhi -- the seat of power from where the government sought votes from them -- and protest peacefully at Jantar Mantar near the Parliament house so that their grievances are heard by lawmakers, echoed the protesters at the Singhu border between Delhi and Haryana.
The large number of farmers, aggrieved over the three agriculture bills enacted by the government recently, reiterated that they would not accept the Delhi Police's offer to hold their protest at the Sant Nirankari ground at Burari in north Delhi.
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Nov 28, 2020 18:29 (IST)
Political parties ''sponsoring'' farmers'' stir, says Haryana Chief Minister
The stir has been build up by farmers from Punjab and some political parties and organisations are "sponsoring" it, he said.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Khattar on Saturday alleged that some political parties and organisations are "sponsoring" the farmers' stir against the Centre's farm laws.
He also hit out at Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, claiming that despite wanting to talk to him over the issue, he did not respond even when telephone calls to his office were made for three days.
Claiming a "conspiracy", Mr Khattar told reporters in Gurgaon that officials in the Punjab Chief Minister's Office are "giving directions" to the protesting farmers from Punjab.
Nov 28, 2020 18:04 (IST)
Farmers' Protest: Agriculture Minister invites farmers for talks once again
As farmers from Punjab and Haryana started protesting against the three new farm laws on Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari on Saturday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reiterated that the central government was ready for talks with the farmer unions' leaders on December 3 to resolve their issues.
"The government is ready to do anything that is required for the prosperity of farmers. We have invited them for talks on December 3 and I hope that they will come," Mr Tomar told ANI.
While the government has maintained that the three laws will do away with middlemen, enabling farmers to sell their produce in the markets directly, protesters fear that these could dismantle the minimum support price (MSP) system, thereby disrupting their timely payments.
As farmers from Punjab and Haryana started protesting against the three new farm laws on Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari on Saturday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reiterated that the central government was ready for talks with the farmer unions' leaders on December 3 to resolve their issues.
"The government is ready to do anything that is required for the prosperity of farmers. We have invited them for talks on December 3 and I hope that they will come," Mr Tomar told ANI.
While the government has maintained that the three laws will do away with middlemen, enabling farmers to sell their produce in the markets directly, protesters fear that these could dismantle the minimum support price (MSP) system, thereby disrupting their timely payments.
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Nov 28, 2020 17:44 (IST)
Amarinder Singh To NDTV On Farmers' Protest
- Why are you stopping a system which has worked for 100 years? The great revolution came in 1966, this has been going for even longer. Keep it going
- We are 2 per cent of India and we give 40 per cent of food. We are the ones who have brought all these food grains. We have brought in the food security. Let's have some sort of understanding of what is going on in this country before taking decisions.
- I don't know what Harsimrat Kaur Badal is doing. She approves off these ordinances. Why didn't she come to my meeting? These people are very smart. Any party of Punjab is in it because they know what's going around, because they know what the farmers are going through.
Nov 28, 2020 17:38 (IST)
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday lashed out at his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar for the crackdown on farmers protesting the centre's new agricultural laws, saying that he will not even answer the latter's phone calls now because of the way he has acted." itemprop="description
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Nov 28, 2020 17:36 (IST)
Amarinder Singh To Centre: Bring An Amendment
Can't you bring an amendment and add it to the existent bill? So that the farmer will be assured that his food and family will be secured.
Can't you bring an amendment and add it to the existent bill? So that the farmer will be assured that his food and family will be secured.
Nov 28, 2020 17:33 (IST)
Protest Is Bigger Than Virus: Amarinder Singh To NDTV
Regardless of the virus, the farmers have gone to Delhi because this is beyond everything. This is much bigger. The farmer is thinking how he will secure food for his children. For God's sake, let's think about them. Think about what will matter to them. What's the harm in bringing some sort of clarity on this?
Regardless of the virus, the farmers have gone to Delhi because this is beyond everything. This is much bigger. The farmer is thinking how he will secure food for his children. For God's sake, let's think about them. Think about what will matter to them. What's the harm in bringing some sort of clarity on this?
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Nov 28, 2020 17:23 (IST)
To Protest Is Their Right: Amarinder Singh To NDTV
Punjab is not stopping its farmers because it is their rights. Why are you stopping them? Why are you using watercannons and tear gassing them? When we are not stopping them and Delhi is not stopping them, who are you to stop them?
Punjab is not stopping its farmers because it is their rights. Why are you stopping them? Why are you using watercannons and tear gassing them? When we are not stopping them and Delhi is not stopping them, who are you to stop them?
Nov 28, 2020 16:58 (IST)
Nov 28, 2020 16:46 (IST)
Farmers' Protest: Traffic movement hit in key roads of Delhi as police keep Singhu, Tikri borders closed
"Please take an alternate route. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba Chowk & GTK road. Traffic is very very heavy. Please avoid outer ring road from Signature Bridge to Rohini and vice versa, GTK road, NH 44 & Singhu border," it tweeted.
Traffic was affected on key roads in Delhi on Saturday as police kept the Singhu and Tikri borders closed for vehicular movement in view of the ongoing farmers'' agitation against the Centre's new farm laws.
The Delhi Traffic Police tweeted that traffic movement was not allowed from Azadpur and Outer Ring Road to the Singhu border.
"Tikri border is closed for traffic movement. Available open borders to Haryana are -- Jharoda, Dhansa, Daurala Jhatikara, Badusari, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam vihar and Dundahera border," it posted on Twitter.
The traffic police said the Singhu border was still closed from both the sides.
Nov 28, 2020 16:38 (IST)
Farmers' Protest: Slogans, songs and drumbeats as hundreds of farmers gather at Burari ground
Slogans such as "Dharti Mata Ki Jai", 'Narendra Modi Kisan Virodhi" and "Inquilab Zindabad" could be heard from different parts of the vast, dusty ground. As some farmer leaders gave speeches, farmers danced to drumbeats and the strains of "Hum Honge Kaamyab" could also be heard.
Shouting slogans, singing songs and carrying flags in reds, greens and blues, about 400 farmers from various groups and states on Satuuday gathered at north Delhi's Burari ground where the government had allowed them to hold a peaceful protest against the new farm laws.
While thousands of farmers sat it out at various border points into Delhi for the third consecutive day, many made their way into the national capital and gathered at the Nirankari ground, one of the largest in the city.
The farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana and also from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, arrived in trucks and tractors.
Nov 28, 2020 15:50 (IST)
Farmers' Protest: We will continue out protest at Delhi border, say farmers
Nov 28, 2020 15:40 (IST)
Delhi traffic police advisory over farmers' protest
Nov 28, 2020 15:36 (IST)
Farmers' Protest: Senior Samajwadi Party leader urges people to support farmers
He urged intellectuals, students, employees, labourers, and others to come forward and extend their support to farmers in their struggle.
Senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Govind Chaudhary on Saturday condemned the BJP for the treatment meted out to farmers during their march to Delhi and urged people to support them in their fight against the Centre's farm laws.
Mr Chaudhary, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, in a statement said farmers have been treated as "enemies" by the government, which is "shameful" and needed to be condemned.
Nov 28, 2020 15:12 (IST)
WATCH | Farmers moving towards the national capital as part of Delhi Chalo protest march, cross Punjab-Haryana border at Sambhu.
Nov 28, 2020 15:12 (IST)
WATCH | Farmers moving towards the national capital as part of Delhi Chalo protest march, cross Punjab-Haryana border at Sambhu.
Nov 28, 2020 14:42 (IST)
"Not Our Farmers, Punjab Responsible For Protest", Says Haryana Chief Minister
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar hit out at his Punjab counterpart, Amarinder Singh, on Saturday afternoon, holding him responsible for the thousands of farmers marching to Delhi to protest against the centre's controversial farm laws. He also claimed that "office bearers of the Punjab Chief Minister's Office" were leading the protest. Read Here
Nov 28, 2020 14:06 (IST)
Heavy police deployed ahead of farmers' movement
Nov 28, 2020 13:34 (IST)
As Farmers, Police Clash In Delhi, Gurudwara In Haryana's Karnal Feeds Cops
Amid scenes of violence as farmers clash with police over their protest march to Delhi against the farm laws, a heart-warming video has emerged from Haryana's Karnal - where the langar (community kitchen) of a gurudwara served a scrumptious (and free) meal to a large number of policemen. Read Here
Nov 28, 2020 13:23 (IST)
Farmers Protest LIVE: Farmers Stopped At Delhi Border Pull Police Barriers Aside For Ambulance
A group of farmers - who have braved tear gas, lathi charges and physical violence to march to the national capital and protest the centre's farm laws - swung into action on Saturday morning, pushing aside the yellow police barricades to allow an ambulance through from Haryana to Delhi. In a heart-warming video, as an ambulance approached police barriers set up at Tikri on the Delhi-Haryana border, a group of farmers reacted instantly, running to pull them to one side of the highway and make room for the emergency vehicle.
Nov 28, 2020 12:25 (IST)
Farmers Stay Back On Highways, Few Takers For Protest Site In Delhi
A large number of farmers are still camping around the Delhi border despite a ground being allocated to them in the capital's outskirts to hold their protest against the farm laws that they want repealed. The protesters - who have braved tear gas, water cannons and lathi-charge during their agitation - have said they have enough essentials to continue their protests for up to six months. At least three highways that lead to Delhi remain blocked amid the protests. Read Here
Nov 28, 2020 11:20 (IST)
Farmers From UP's Meerut March Towards Delhi
The government has failed to address the issues of the farmers. We are proceeding to Delhi now: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bharatiya Kisan Union in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut.
Nov 28, 2020 11:05 (IST)
Tractors of farmers at the approved protest site- Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari, being sanitised by a municipal worker.
Nov 28, 2020 10:13 (IST)
Nov 28, 2020 09:52 (IST)
Farmers From Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib Move Towards Delhi
Punjab: Farmers from Fatehgarh Sahib on their way to Delhi to protest against Centre's Farm laws
Nov 28, 2020 09:35 (IST)
Farmer Protest "Hero" Who Turned Off Water Cannon Charged With Attempt To Murder
A young man from Haryana's Ambala who was seen scaling a police water cannon to turn it off in one of the most iconic moments of the protest march of farmers towards Delhi so far has been charged with attempt to murder. Read Here
Nov 28, 2020 09:21 (IST)
Security deployment at Tikri border as protesting farmers are gathered here despite being given permission to hold their demonstrations at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari area.
Nov 28, 2020 09:14 (IST)
Meeting Of Punjab Farmers Underway At Delhi-Haryana Border
WATCH: A meeting of farmers from Punjab underway at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana) as they continue their protest. Delhi Police yesterday gave permission to farmers to hold their demonstrations at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Delhi's Burari area.
Nov 28, 2020 09:08 (IST)
Famers Protest: Farmers At Nirankari Samagam Ground In Burari
A farmer says, "Our protest will continue till the Farm laws are not withdrawn. We are here for the long haul."
Nov 28, 2020 09:06 (IST)
Heavy security deployment at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana) where protesting farmers are gathered.
