Updated: December 6, 2020 8:22:12 pm
Since farmers have been camping on the Delhi borders, vehicle traffic in and out of the capital has dropped by 30 to 40 percent, which could have an effect on Delhi’s trade, authorities say. . (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)
The farmers’ uproar on the New Delhi borders against the three farm laws entered its 11th day on Sunday. In an important development, farmers have declared a nationwide general strike on December 8, which has also won the support of the AAP political parties and Congress.
READ ALSO | Bharat Bandh on December 8: everything you need to know
At a press conference on Friday, the leader of the farmers union Gurnam Singh Chadoni said that if the Center did not accept his demands to repeal the laws during the talks on Saturday, they would intensify their agitation and occupy the toll plazas. There have been five rounds of talks between farmers’ representatives and the government so far, with the next meeting scheduled for December 9. After the talks on Thursday, the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had hinted that the Modi government could amend three important provisions in the Trade in Agricultural Products and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Law.
EXPLAINED | Farmer protests: why the government should not allow positions to harden
These are the main events of day 11 of the farmers’ protests in Delhi:
Congress supports Bharat Bandh on December 8
Congress on Sunday expressed his “unconditional” support to the ‘Bharat Bandh’ convened on December 8 by farmers unions against the new agricultural marketing laws, adding that that day he would hold protests at all district and state headquarters in support of farmers’ demands.
READ ALSO | Virus Shadow Looming, But Few Mask Applicants Test Covid At Protest Site
“The whole world is witnessing the plight of our farmers. The whole world is seeing the horrible sight of farmers sitting outside the capital in the middle of the night during winters waiting for the government to listen to them, ”Congressional spokesman Pawan Khera was quoted as saying by PTI. The congressional spokesman targeted the government for introducing the new farm laws “surreptitiously.” “In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government in June surreptitiously brings ordinances, what was the rush, the whole country focused on the consequences of COVID-19, the economic, social and health consequences, but the government was busy bringing ordinances to help his industrial and corporate friends, ”Khera said.
भाजपा सरकार द्वारा बनाए गए तीनों कृषि क़ानूनों के विरोध में किसानों द्वारा आयोजित 8 दिसम्बर को भारत बंद का राष्ट्रीय संयोजक @ArvindKejriwal जी के आह्वान पर आम आदमी पार्टी पूरे देश में करेगी समर्थन। देश भर के सभी पदाधिकारी एवं कार्यकर्ता बंद को सफल बनाने में सहयोग करें। pic.twitter.com/4dE09rjMR3
– Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) December 6, 2020
“Where was the need to bring these laws so quickly? You suspended the opposition parties in Parliament, did not follow parliamentary procedure and hastened the approval of bills. If I were really concerned about the interest of farmers, I would have followed their advice before introducing these laws … What we are seeing today is the result of a conspiracy between the government and its corporate friends, in which the victim would be the farmer , and the farmer knows it, ”Khera added.
Vijender Singh will return Khel Ratna if protesting farmers’ demands are not met
Boxer Vijender Singh, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said on Sunday would return his award Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna , —The highest sporting honor in the country— if the demands of the protesting farmers are not met.
The 35-year-old boxer supported the farmers’ cause, saying that if all three ordinances are not repealed, he will return the country’s greatest sporting honor. (Twitter / ANI)
“I owe a lot to the Punjab. I spent most of the time during my boxing career at the National Sports Institute (NIS) in Patiala, so now is my time to pay the state back, ”Vijender said at the Singhu border in Sonepat.
“I fully support the demands of the farmers and the whole country must support them because they are the sustenance of the country. Without them, we cannot live a day, ”said the boxer, who fought in the 2019 Lok Sabha election on a congressional ballot.
Farm laws will not be reversed, amendments can be made: MoS Agriculture
The Minister of State for Agriculture, Kailash Choudhary, reiterated on Sunday that the three laws passed by the government are “in favor of farmers” and would not be repealed, although modifications could be made.
“These laws passed by the government will set farmers free. We have always said that farmers should have the right to sell their crops wherever they want. Even the Swaminathan Commission report recommends it. I don’t think the laws should be repealed. If necessary, some amendments to the laws will be made to recognize the demands of farmers on the move, ”Choudhary said according to ANI.
Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu to Return Dronacharya Award to Support Farmers
Former national boxing coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu decided to return his Dronacharya award to show solidarity with the agitated farmers, the ANI news agency reported.
Explained | Understand the concept of commercial areas in agricultural laws
“Whatever is happening in the country is not good. Lawmakers say they have done it for the betterment of farmers and want to double or triple farmers’ incomes. You are making laws for them, but they say they don’t want it. I think the way they have used it is not correct, ”Sandhu was quoted as saying.
“I belong to a family of farmers. We can do nothing but express our displeasure and urge the government to repeal the laws or make the necessary changes. So, taking that into account, I have returned my award, “he added.
Kamal Haasan’s 10-member party team to join the uproar in Delhi soon
Actor Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam will take part in the ongoing farmers’ protest that entered its 11th day on Sunday. In a statement, the party said that a 10-member team will arrive in Delhi soon to join farmers camping on various borders of the national capital.
Peasant leaders call for maximum participation in Bharat Bandh
Farmers have sought maximum participation from all sectors in the ‘Bharat Bandh’ convened on December 8 and said that more than 250 farmers from Gujarat will come to the national capital to join the uproar.
Peasant leaders on the border also welcomed the support provided by various political parties and called on all others to come forward and support the ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Tuesday. “This turmoil is not just from Punjab farmers, but from the entire nation. We are going to strengthen our agitation and it has already spread throughout the country. Since the government could not deal with us properly, we made a call for ‘Bharat Bandh’. During yesterday’s meeting, even the ministers were upset with our call for ‘Bharat bandh’, “said peasant leader Baldev Singh Yadav at a press conference.
“We have announced ‘Bharat Bandh’ on December 8, which will start in the morning and continue until evening. During which, shops and businesses will be closed. Ambulances and emergency work will be exempt from Bandh. Furthermore, 250 farmers from Gujarat will come to Delhi to join the protest, ”he added.
.
