Thousands of farmers protesting near Delhi against the Center’s three farm laws have decided to postpone their tractor march for one day as sporadic rain hampered their plans to organize a protest. The tractor march, scheduled for January 7, is a glimpse of how farmers plan to intensify their protest after the government refused to repeal the laws on January 4.
“We will carry out the tractor march on four borders of Delhi, including the eastern and western peripherals. This will be a preview of what’s to come on January 26. As you know, the government held seven formal rounds of talks with farmers on January 4, ”said Yogendra Yadav from Swaraj India, who joined the protests.
“Seven months have passed since the ordinance was enacted and then became law. We demand the repeal of these laws. The only option left is to intensify our protest, ”he added.
Why are farmers protesting?
Through one of the largest strikes in decades witnessed by India, farmers are demanding the repeal of the three contentious laws. Basically, the laws change the way India’s farmers do business by creating free markets, as opposed to a decades-old network of government markets, which allow traders to store essential commodities for future sales and establish a framework. national for contract farming.
These laws are the Agricultural Products Trade and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Act of 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Guarantee and the Agricultural Services Act of 2020 and the Essential Products (Amendment) Act. 2020.
Farmers claim that these laws will benefit large corporations. However, the government has tried to allay these fears and has even said that it is willing to discuss changes to the law. The government has made it clear that it will not remove these laws.
These are the highlights:
Waterproof mega tent set up on Singhu border as turmoil continues amid rain
Amid the heavy rains in the national capital and neighboring regions, protesters set up a mega tent in the center of the stage where their leaders address protesters every day. The 60ft x 280ft waterproof tent covers the seating area in front of the main stage.
Discussions with farmers opportunity to explain the benefits of the laws: Goyal
Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday that he regards the ongoing discussions with farmers as an opportunity to explain to them the benefits of the new agricultural laws they have been protesting against. “For example, when I accompany the Minister of Agriculture of Tomar for discussions with farmers’ unions, should I see it as a problem for me or as an opportunity that I am getting?” He said.
Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders hold tractor rally in CM’s home district
Madhya Pradesh congressional leaders had held a tractor rally in Prime Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s hometown of Sehore to protest against agricultural laws.
To approach SC regarding agricultural laws: Punjab CM
The Captain of Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he would approach the Supreme Court regarding the agricultural laws, as he felt they were “bills against farmers.”
The solution must be found at the level of PM: Punjab CM
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh said the solution to the protests must come from the level of the Prime Minister. He said the prime minister should sit down with his ministers and come up with a solution.
Bringing Peace to the State, Bringing Farmers Home, Repealing Laws: Amarinder Singh
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh said that the Center should bring peace to the state and bring farmers home by repealing the laws. He said new laws could be formulated later after talking to farmers’ committees, but current laws need to be repealed as farmers are demanding it.
No law has that sanctity that cannot be touched: Amarinder Singh
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder SIngh said that no law has the sanctity that it cannot be touched, citing the various constitutional amendments since its introduction.
Punjab CM expresses sympathy for protesting farmers
Punjab CM captain Amarinder Singh said that farmers had the right to protest and that protesting farmers, elders and women had “101%” of his sympathy. He said farmers were also sacrificing their lives.
Government duty to answer to the people of the country: Punjab CM
The captain of Punjab’s chief minister, Amarinder Singh, urged the Center to heed the demands of protesting farmers and not remain indifferent. Singh said the farmers had made their point clear and the Center should repeal the laws.
Farmers build brick floor on Tikri border as rains flood tents
The protesting farmers built a brick floor with cement, gravel and bricks on the Tikri border, according to the ANI news agency. “Our tents were flooded with water due to the rains, we had to sit all night. We have used bricks and mortar to build the floor and we plan to build more in the coming days, ”said one protester.
Committed to the well-being of farmers: Narendra Singh Tomar
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the government was committed to the well-being of farmers. He said that he met with supportive and protesting farmers and urged farmers to think about the well-being of farmers and come up with a solution.
Farmers make their protest waterproof on the Singhu border
Farmers on the Singhu border launched a massive exercise on Tuesday to cover all the tents with waterproof plastic sheeting after the rains in the city. Large bamboo poles and iron pipes were brought to the border with hundreds of tarps to cover the tents. Farmers said a mega tent is also being set up in center stage from where leaders address protesters every day.
Delhi’s borders with Haryana, UP remain partially closed
The national capital’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh continued to be closed at various points on Wednesday due to ongoing farmer agitation.
Delhi’s borders with Uttar Pradesh in Chilla and Ghazipur have been closed to those coming from Noida and Ghaziabad, while the opposite road remains open.
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