Farmers have been holding a sit-in near Delhi and other parts of the country for more than three weeks.
New Delhi:
Farmers protesting the center’s new agricultural reforms on Wednesday said they are ready for talks but are waiting for the government to keep them open-minded and come up with concrete proposals that are acceptable.
“The farmers’ unions are ready to speak with the government. We are waiting for the government to come to the table with an open mind. We urge the government not to repeat the amendments we have rejected, but to put forward concrete proposals in writing.” Yogendra Yadav said. said the leader of Swaraj India, one of the protest groups.
Shiv Kumar Kakka, leader of another protest group, said: “We have already told Interior Minister Amit Shah that protesting farmers will not accept amendments. The central government must create an environment conducive to talks. It must abandon its stubbornness and accepting the demands of farmers, “
The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been urging farmers to engage in further talks to end a stalemate that has led thousands of people to camp outside New Delhi for more than three weeks.
The protests blocked the roads connecting the national capital with the neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, affecting public transport and the supply of fruits and vegetables.
The protest leaders had asked their supporters to skip a meal on Wednesday, in solidarity with demonstrations against new laws, passed by parliament in September without much debate, that farmers fear could pave the way to end. to the state purchase of crops, while helping large retail buyers.
Prime Minister Modi has defended the laws saying they would help increase farmers’ incomes as they would encourage more private investment in cold rooms, purchasing and distribution.
More than 30 protesters have died in recent weeks, mainly due to the cold while sleeping outdoors with temperatures dropping to 4 degrees Celsius, farmer leaders said.
Peasant leaders also called on their supporters to boycott Prime Minister Modi’s monthly radio address on Sunday.
“People should bang their utensils at home on Sunday when Modi speaks on the radio,” said Jagjit Singh Dallewal, president of the Bharti Kisan Union.
(With inputs from agencies)
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