NEW DELHI: Farmers unions announced a one-day relay hunger strike on Monday at all protest sites to push for the repeal of the CenterThe new agricultural laws, even as the Union Interior Minister Amit Shah said that Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is likely to hold talks with the protest groups in a day or two to discuss their demands.
Farmers in Punjab and Haryana, as well as those protesting on the Delhi borders, observed ‘Shradhanjali Diwas’ on Sunday to pay tribute to their brothers “who died during the ongoing upheaval.”
Farmers’ bodies have claimed that more than 30 farmers who participated in the uproar died due to different reasons, including heart attacks and road accidents. The peasants held ‘ardaas’ (prayer) and in some places they also held protest marches against the Center.
Protesters, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have continued their sit-in in various border areas of the national capital for the fourth week amid cold snap conditions, despite repeated attempts by the government and Prime Minister Narendra. Modi to convince them of the benefits. of the reforms.
On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Modi paid a surprise visit to Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, one of the most popular Sikh shrines, and paid tribute to Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru, for his supreme sacrifice.
Modi also interacted with devotees during the visit, which came in the context of his attempts to reach out to Punjab farmers.
Talks between farmers and the Center stalled on December 9 after five rounds when farmers’ unions rejected a proposal from the Center to amend the laws and a written guarantee on the continuation of the minimum support price (MSP).
Union Interior Minister Amit Shah, who was in West Bengal, indicated that talks will resume soon.
“I am not exactly aware of the moment, but it is likely that Tomar will meet with the representatives of the farmers tomorrow or the day after tomorrow to discuss their demands,” Shah told a news conference.
The agitated farmers unions have threatened to intensify their agitation.
“Farmers will start a one-day relay hunger strike on Monday at all protest sites against the new farm laws. It will be started by an 11-member team at the protest sites here,” said the head of Swaraj India, Yogendra Yadav, at a press conference. on the Singhu border.
He also urged people protesting against the laws across the country to observe a one-day hunger strike at their respective protest sites.
Farmers’ leader Jagjeet Singh Dalewala said that farmers will not allow tolls on Haryana’s roads from December 25 to 27.
“From December 25 to 27, we will not allow all of Haryana’s tollbooths to collect tolls. We will prevent them from doing so.
“On December 27, our prime minister will say his ‘Mann ki baat’ and we want to call on the people to defeat the ‘thalis’ during his speech,” said Union leader Bharatiya Kisan (BKU), referring to to the Prime Minister’s monthly radio address. .
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said farmers protesting the new farm laws will respect Kisan diwas on December 23 and “we ask people not to cook lunch for one day.”
Amid the stalemate, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), one of Punjab’s largest farmers’ organizations involved in the uproar, said that a central agency had asked it to submit its registration details that allow it to receive foreign funds, and alleged that it was the objective of the Center.
The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) stipulates the mandatory registration of any company that receives foreign funds.
“A department of the Center sent an email that we received through our bank’s branch in Punjab. In the email, it was said that we should give the registration details regarding these donations from abroad, otherwise they will be returned, ”said the organization’s secretary general, Sukhdev Singh.
Questioning the timing of the movement, Singh said: “They are using all tactics as their sole purpose is to defeat the upheaval.”
When asked how much foreign funds they had recently received, Singh said: “We have yet to calculate the exact amount.”
“The IT Department first carried out raids against ‘Arhtiyas’ (commission agents) because they are supporting the agitation of farmers. Now, as our team is large, the Center is targeting us ”, claimed the president of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), Joginder Ugrahan.
“They are asking for details about the NRI funds. Punjab NRIs help us with donations of their hard earned money. They are supporting our agitation, what is the problem with that? Also at home, people support us, ”said the head of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan).
Several BJP leaders, including union ministers, have alleged that the agitation has been hijacked by leftists, Maoists and separatists, a charge denied by the unions.
Addressing an event in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attacked opposition parties, claiming they were misleading farmers by falsely claiming that the MSP system will end after the new laws are implemented.
Union Minister VK Singh said on Sunday the unrest was “more political” in nature, underscoring the NDA government’s intention to ensure the well-being of the ryots.
Speaking to reporters before his interaction with farmers in Tamil Nadu, the minister stated that “the actual farmers are very happy with what has been done in the last six months.”
“There are a lot of misconceptions being given when it comes to farmers’ problems. Farmers across India are mostly happy, real farmers are very happy with what has been done,” he said.
The opposition Party Samajwadi Party said it will hold a special campaign on December 25 when its leaders will go to villages in Uttar Pradesh to spread awareness of the “anti-farmer policies” of the BJP-led governments.
The head of the Uttar Pradesh Congress, Ajay Kumar Lallu, said his party will continue its fight for farmers until the laws are withdrawn.
“The agitation of the farmers is a consequence of the BJP’s policy of lies and deception. Congress will continue to fight for the farmers until the agricultural laws they retire, “Lallu said.
Meanwhile, the traffic movement on the Jaipur-Delhi highway remained partially affected for the eighth consecutive day due to the protests.
The road has been blocked for traffic and vehicles bound for Delhi are being diverted via other routes, a police official said.
Thousands of farmers protesting on the Delhi borders against the Center’s new farm laws stood firm in their demand to repeal the legislation.
The sit-ins continued as the city posted its coldest morning this season, with mercury dipping to 3.4 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Farmers’ unrest, which has entered its fourth week, has also led to traffic diversions at various border points causing inconvenience to travelers.
Farmers protest against the Agreement on Price Assurance and Agricultural Services for Farmers (Empowerment and Protection), the Trade in Agricultural Products and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Products (Amendment) Act.
Enacted in September, the three agricultural laws have been projected by the central government as major reforms in the agricultural sector that will eliminate middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country.
However, protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way to remove the Minimum Livelihood Price safety cushion and end the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of large corporations.
The Center has repeatedly stated that the MSP and mandi system will remain.
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