Amit Shah had previously told farmers to consider changing the location of the protest.
Interior Minister Amit Shah called on farmers to talk tonight, one day before the government’s sixth round of negotiations to end mass protests against farm laws.
The Interior Minister’s invitation came on a day when a nationwide Bharat Bandh summoned protesting farmers and hit road and rail traffic in some parts of the country, blocking roads and closing markets, affecting supplies.
“I received a phone call. Amit Shah has called a meeting. They called us at 7 pm,” said farmer leader Rakesh Tikait.
Tikait said agricultural leaders protesting on the roads near Delhi would attend the meeting.
Opposition parties, including Congress, AAP, DMK, TRS, have backed today’s protest.
The last meeting on Friday between the center and the farmers, which lasted seven hours, failed to end the stalemate.
Farmer groups said they would accept nothing more than the removal of three new laws enacted in September, which they fear will cut their profits and leave them at the mercy of companies.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, who led the negotiations, said the government “has no ego,” but made it clear that the government will not repeal the laws.
“The government suggested an amendment to the three laws. But farmers’ organizations unanimously said that the three laws should be repealed. The government assured that they can consider new laws on the Minimum Price of Subsistence,” said Balkaran Singh Brar, leader of All -India Kisan Sabha.
At previous meetings, farmers had made a 39-point presentation on deficiencies in the laws.
Thousands of farmers are camping on the road at four busy entry points in the national capital to protest the laws.
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