Farmers have been protesting at different borders in Delhi since November 26. (Archive)
New Delhi:
Farmers protesting the controversial laws in the agricultural sector have decided to wait for the laws to be completely removed, rejecting the Center’s new proposal to suspend them for 18 months while negotiations with a new committee continue.
The government had presented the proposal yesterday in the 10th round of negotiations with the farmers’ unions. After nine rounds of inconclusive talks, it was felt that he hoped for a breakthrough.
The farmers did not give an immediate response. Several of them later said that their plans for a large tractor rally on Republic Day had made the government nervous.
As the protest outside the borders of Delhi entered its 58th day, the farmers, after a meeting at the Singhu border, said tonight that they want a total repeal of the three central agricultural laws and a new law to ensure that they obtain a minimum support price for your products.
The protesters, who had been camping on the Delhi border since Nov. 26, said the tractor march will progress as planned.
They have also rejected a request by the police to cancel the demonstration on Republic Day.
Claiming that a protest rally on that day would embarrass the nation, the government had asked the Supreme Court to stop it. The court, which previously defended farmers’ fundamental right to protest, refused, saying the matter should be handled by the police.
Farmers have ensured that their demonstration will remain on the ring road, which runs along the periphery of the city, and will not collide with the traditional and prestigious parade that takes place on Rajpath.
Claiming that their peaceful movement is becoming a “people’s movement,” the farmers said on Republic Day, similar protest rallies will take place in many states, including Karnataka, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh. In Kolkata, a three-day protest will take place starting on January 20.
Earlier this month, farm laws were suspended for at least two
months by the Supreme Court, which appointed a special committee to discuss the issue with all parties at that time.
The farmers, however, did not accept the committee, saying its four members are pro-government. One of the members resigned a day after being appointed.
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