DM Monitoring
NEW DELHI: Farmers continue to protest at Tikri (Delhi-Haryana border), as their agitation against Farm Laws enters 12th day. Farmer unions have called a Bharat Bandh on Dec 8th, demanding the roll back of the three contentious farm laws. Sixth round of talks between farmer unions & Cente scheduled on Dec 9th.
Opposition parties, including many regional outfits, have come out in strong support of the Bharat Bandh’ on December 8 called by farmer unions which have been protesting on Delhi’s borders for 11 days demanding the repeal of the Centre’s new agri-marketing laws.
The Congress has said it will hold protests that day at all district and state headquarters, the ruling TMC on West Bengal has announced sit-ins in various areas for three days. The Aam Aadmi Party said it will hold a peaceful demonstration in the national capital.
Coal India’s production and dispatch are likely to get affected partially on Tuesday as transporters have decided to observe ‘chakka jam’, pledging support to the December 8 ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by farmers over the new agriculture laws, a trade union leader said.
Former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal writes to PM Modi saying, “I’m deeply worried about ongoing farmers’ crisis. It seems to me that issue could’ve been dealt with better if govt had paid greater attention to honest feedback on what farmers really thought of govt’s initiatives.”
Letter further says,”Three Acts in question that have pushed the country into deep turmoil must be withdrawn without making farmers & their families endure any more suffering in this biting cold. The issue doesn’t concern farmers alone but affects entire economic fabric of country.”
“It is clear that farmers are only used as names, and the opposition parties, including the Congress, have come together to join the Bharat Bandh only to show their existence,” Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said. “This is a political agitation in the name of farmers. Farmers in Gujarat are not dissatisfied and are therefore not supporting the agitation,” he said.
The All India Railwaymen’s Federation extends its support to Bharat Bandh on December 8 called by farmer unions which have been protesting on Delhi’s borders against the Centre’s new agri-marketing laws. Shiva Gopal Mishra, general secretary, All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) met the agitating farmers at Singhu border and assured them that members of the railway union are with them in their fight against the new agriculture laws.
Kerala Government has decided to move to Supreme Court against the Centre’s Farm Laws “We will move SC this week itself. The anti-farmer laws will not be implemented in Kerala and an alternative law will be considered,” said Kerala Agriculture Minister.
The Delhi Police said elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called on December 8. “Delhi Police has also issued a traffic advisory for smooth movement of vehicles and commuters. Anybody who tries to disrupt normal movement, life or forcefully closes shops will be strongly dealt with, as per the law,” Eish Singhal, Delhi Police (PRO) said.
I’m deeply hurt with the behaviour of the Centre with the farmers protesting at Delhi borders. Despite making repeated attempts, nothing conclusive done to satisfy them. I have decided to return Padma Shri in support of farmers said Surjit Patar, Punjabi writer & poet.
Meanwhile, Sikh farmers in India on Monday demonstrated religious solidarity at the farmers’ protest by standing up with their Muslim counterparts.
In a video shared on Twitter by Indian journalist Rana Ayyub, some Muslim participants at the farmer’s protest in Delhi could be seen offering prayers on the street.
Meanwhile, Sikh farmers — who were in majority — could be seen standing at the site, encircling the Muslim farmers so that they could offer their prayers in peace.In a show of solidarity, Sikh farmers stopped all their activities and stood there in silence so as not to disturb those offering prayers.
“This made me emotional. Sikh brothers standing in solidarity with Muslims while they offer Namaz at the farmers’ protest,” Ayyub wrote on Twitter.
For the past few weeks, more than 300,000 farmers from India’s Punjab province have been staging protests in Delhi against the government’s new central farm laws. Farmers opine that the legislation contains “contentious provisions” and are demanding the government revise it as it goes against their interests.
Agriculture makes up nearly 15% of India’s $2.9-trillion economy and employs around half of its 1.3 billion people.
Farmers fear the legislation will eventually dismantle India’s regulated markets and stop the government from buying wheat and rice at guaranteed prices, leaving them to negotiate with private buyers.
According to the new law, the respective State Governments can choose not to impose any restrictions as notified by the Centre. However, if the restrictions are imposed, traders have to immediately sell any stocks held beyond the mandated quantity into the market. This is done to improve supplies and brings down prices.
On the other hand, the country’s BJP-led union government says the new laws are meant to overhaul antiquated procurement procedures and give growers from all over India more options to sell their produce.
Since the government and farmers could not reach a settlement, farmers have threatened to continue their protests until their demands are met.
Criticizing the new law, President of the Maharashtra Rajya Bazaar Samiti Sahakari Sangh, Dilip Mohite Patil claimed that around 100-125 market committees in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions have reported almost no business and are on the verge of closure after the announcement of the central Ordinance.
While, Food Processing Industries Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal resigned from her post in protest against these Bills.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Prakash Singh Badal returned his Padma Vibhushan to protest ‘the betrayal of farmers by the Government of India’.
