#rakesh tikait wants farmer protest continue

[tezlivenews]

'कानून वापसी तो घर वापसी' कहने वाले राकेश टिकैत अब एमएसपी पर क्यों अड़े, क्या हैं उनकी इस जिद के कारण

‘कानून वापसी तो घर वापसी’ कहने वाले राकेश टिकैत अब एमएसपी पर क्यों अड़े, क्या हैं उनकी इस जिद के कारण

हाइलाइट्स कृषि कानूनों की वापसी के ऐलान के बाद भी किसान आंदोलन वापस लेने के मूड में नहीं राकेश टिकैत राकेश टिकैत ने संसद से कानूनों के रद्द होने तक आंदोलन जारी रहने का कर रखा है ऐलान टिकैत अब एमएसपी और किसानों के दूसरे मुद्दों की बात छेड़कर आंदोलन जारी रखने की तैयार कर रहे पृष्ठभूमि टिकैत के दिल में आंदोलन के दौरान कई किसानों की मौत की टीस, बीजेपी को सबक सिखाना भी हो सकता है कारण नई…

[yes-hindinews]

After PM Modi's appeal, farmer leaders say ready for talks; want govt to choose date

Farmer unions agitating towards the three agri laws on Monday asked the government to restoration a date for the following round of talks, quickly after prime Minister Narendra Modi urged them to quit their stir and invited them to resume the communicate.   Hindi News

Farmer unions agitating in opposition to the 3 agri laws on Monday requested the government to restore a date for the following round of talks, quickly after top Minister Narendra Modi entreated them to stop their stir and invited them to renew the speak. They, but, objected to high Minister Modi's comments in Rajya Sabha that a new "breed" of agitators referred to as "andolan jivi" has emerged in the usa, and stated that agitation has an crucial position in a democracy.

Farmer leader Shiv Kumar Kakka, who is a senior member of the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha which is spearheading the continued stir, said they are geared up for the following spherical of talks and the government must tell them the date and time of the assembly. "we've in no way refused to hold talks with the government. whenever it has referred to as us for communicate, we held discussions with Union ministers. we're geared up for talks with them (authorities)," Kakka told PTI. 11 rounds of talks were held over the contentious farm legal guidelines however the deadlock keeps because the farmer unions continue to be company on their needs — the repeal of the three legal guidelines and felony guarantee for minimal aid rate (MSP). in the closing round of talks, the authorities had presented to suspend the laws for 12-18 months, however the farmer unions rejected it. lots of agitating farmers, normally from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, were camping at 3 Delhi border factors — Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur — for over 70 days. even as replying in Rajya Sabha on Monday to a debate at the President's deal with, PM Modi assured the farmers that Mandis may be modernised, pronouncing "no longer just this, MSP turned into there, it's far there and will continue to be." "We urge the ones sitting on the agitation that although it is their proper to agitate, the manner the vintage people are sitting there, isn't proper. "They (agitators) should be taken again. They ought to end the agitation and we are able to collectively find a solution as all doorways are open for speak. From this residence, I once more invite them for talk," Modi said whilst appealing to farmers to cease their agitation. Farmer chief Abhimanyu Kohar, who's also a member of Samkyukta Kisan Morcha, said that the authorities has already stated "loads of times" that the MSP will now not pass anywhere and it will stay in location. "If the government is claiming that MSP will remain, why does not it offer a criminal assure on the minimal help rate for our crops," Kohar informed PTI. He stated that the farmer unions are equipped to resume talks with the authorities, however there ought to be a proper invitation. "Any issue may be resolved via right talk. we are geared up in-precept to resume talks," the farmer chief. In his speech, Modi slammed the mushrooming of a brand new breed of 'andolan-jivi' — professional protestors — who are visible at each agitation. those "parasites feast on each agitation," he stated. "Agitation has an important position in democracy. humans have a proper to oppose the government's incorrect rules," Kakka said, referring to the comments by using the top minister. Sukhdev Singh, Punjab general secretary of BKU Ekta Ugrahan, sought to recognise why the authorities isn't always ensuring a legal assure on MSP for vegetation and alleged that it is making an attempt to divert the issue. Farmer leader Baldev Singh additionally said that authorities need to repeal those farm legal guidelines and provide a legal guarantee on MSP for farmers' plants. in advance within the day, farmer chief Rakesh Tikait said enterprise over hunger will not be allowed inside the united states. "there will now not be any commercial enterprise over hunger within the u . s . a .. If starvation is going up, the charge of crops may be decided consequently. people who desire to do enterprise over starvation will be driven overseas," Tikait informed journalists on the Ghazipur protest web site. To press their demands, protesting unions held a nationwide 'chakka jam' last week,  Hindi News

[bbcbreakingnews]

At ‘mahapanchayats’, vow to spread stir across states

BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, farmers and supporters attend a ‘Mahapanchayat’, organised by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) in Bhiwani district (PTI)

BHIWANI/NUH: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait held a mahapanchayat in Haryana’s Bhiwani on Sunday and called for support in intensifying the agitation against the three laws in other states too. In Nuh, his son Gaurav Tikait addressed another mahapanchayat of 10,000 villagers and asserted that the agitation would continue until the three laws were repealed. “The farm protest has started to expand to other parts of the country too. So, we decided to go to another state and hold a meeting with farmers and their leaders,” Tikait said in Bhiwani. The BKU leader also called for unity among farmers of different states, alleging that the government was trying to divide the protesters on the basis of region and religion. “Two government representatives had come to meet me on Saturday, but I refused them. Any discussion with the government will take place in the presence of 40 members of the kisan morcha,” he added. Tikait’s call for expanding the protest came a day after he said farmers would wait till October 2 for the Centre to withdraw the laws and then take out a “kranti” rally with 40 lakh tractors. The move to address farmers in neighbouring Haryana is crucial for Tikait, who had so far been leading the agitation only at UP Gate. He is known to wield considerable influence among farmers in western UP and it was his emotional call in the aftermath of the Republic Day violence that had infused a fresh lease of life into the agitation at the Ghazipur border. The mahapanchayat in Bhiwani was attended by around 20,000 people. Apart from Tikait, farmer leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal and Darshan Pal Singh took part in the event. This was Tikait’s second mahapanchayat in Haryana since the agitation began in November last year – the first one being in Jind’s Kandela on February 3. While addressing the farmers, Tikait also appreciated the role of “khap” leaders in the agitation. “There is not a single weak link in the entire movement. There will be no ghar wapsi until our demands are met,” the BKU leader told the gathering. Since most of the farmers protesting around Delhi’s borders are from Punjab, he said that it is the 40-member delegation of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha that will continue to hold negotiations with the Centre. “We will support the Punjab leadership and it will head the delegation. We will not change any of our 40 members,” the farmer leader said. Tikait also called on the young protesters to bring soil and water from their houses. “I urge you to visit the fields and apply the soil on your bodies. If you do this, none of you will sell your land to anyone even in extreme situations. We have to save our land. You give me your anger and we will win this battle,” he added. In Nuh, Tikait’s son Gaurav attacked the Union agriculture minister on the three laws. “The minister has been asking us about issues with the laws. I want to ask him that if there was nothing wrong with the laws, why did the government agree to more than 10 of the 15 points raised by farmers’ unions at the meetings?” he asked. The mahapanchayat in Sunhera village of Nuh was attended by around 10,000 people. Apart from Gaurav, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, BKU leader Gurnam Singh Charuni and three Congress MLAs from the district – Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Iliyas and Mamman Khan – also participated in the event. Gaurav clarified that the farmers would not vacate any of the protesting sites across NCR unless the laws were taken back. He also sought an impartial investigation into the Republic Day violence in Delhi. “They are accusing us of insulting the Tricolour. But I must tell them that we can die and kill to save the national flag and its dignity,” he added. Bhim Army’s Azad said the farmers’ movement could not be derailed on the grounds of religion. “A farmer has only one religion and that is farming. The crowd present here today is proof of the unity among different religions,” he added.

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source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/02/08/at-mahapanchayats-vow-to-spread-stir-across-states/

[gkt49]

We Want Talks With Centre To Continue To Resolve Deadlock: Farmer Leader

We Want Talks With Centre To Continue To Resolve Deadlock: Farmer Leader

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Thursday said the protesting farmer unions will attend the scheduled ninth round of talks with the government and asserted it is necessary to continue the…

[bbcbreakingnews]

Govt conspiracy against farmers strengthened their protest: BKU leader Rakesh Tikait

CHARKHI DADRI (HARYANA): Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday said the Central Government’s conspiracy against farmers has strengthened their protest against the newly-enacted farm laws. Farmer unions held a mahapanchayat in Charkhi Dadri today where thousands of farmers gathered. Farmer leaders including Rakesh Tikait, Balbir Singh Rajewal and Darshan Pal Singh were present at the mahapanchayat. Addressing the gathering, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said, “They (Central Government) do not mind if the country is broken. Using the National Flag issue, they tried to demotivate us. To weaken the protest, they conspired against us. But we emerged stronger after two days. Our demand is to repeal the farm laws, make law on MSP and free the jailed farmers.” “The youths here have asked for repealing of farm laws for now. What will happen if they asked the Government to leave their posts? We will not tolerate how our people were deceitfully taken to Red Fort,” he added. Farmer leader Darshan Pal Singh said, “I want to tell the Khap Panchayats of Haryana that what happened in Punjab should also happen in Haryana. The BJP government should fall in Haryana. The Central Government had conspired against us on January 26. The movement has turned bigger after January 29.” Protesting farmers called a countrywide ‘chakka jam’ (road blockade) on Saturday. Heavy security deployment continued at the Tikri border (Delhi-Haryana border) on Sunday morning as farmers’ protest against three agriculture laws enters the 74th day. Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/02/07/govt-conspiracy-against-farmers-strengthened-their-protest-bku-leader-rakesh-tikait/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Rakesh Tikait warns farmers agitation will not conclude before October

GHAZIABAD: Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Tuesday warned the farmers‘ agitation will not conclude unless government repeals the three newly enacted agriculture laws and it may go on till October. “Our slogan is ‘Kanoon Wapsi Nahi toh Ghar Wapasi Nahi’. This agitation will not conclude before October, it will not end anytime soon,” said Tikait while addressing a rally at Ghazipur border. Reacting to the heavy deployment of security personnel and fencing at the borders of Delhi, he said, “The government’s strategy to stop the farmers is going to backfire as it will restrict movements of farm produces to various places and in turn harm common people. I urge all of you to be prepared to carry this movement till October/November. Let the government do as much fencing as they want to do.” Tikait said the youth who hoisted the flag at Red Fort was given way by the authorities themselves. “All this was done to malign the image of Punjabi community and paint the image of farmers as anti-national,” he added. Security has been beefed up at Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri borders, as farmers continue to make their way to the protest sites for the past two to three days. The Delhi Police have blocked roads near Akshardham and vehicular movement has been restricted between Delhi and Ghaziabad on National Highway-24. Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/02/02/rakesh-tikait-warns-farmers-agitation-will-not-conclude-before-october/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Farm laws agitation: Release our men and prepare a platform for talks, says farmer leader Naresh Tikait

NEW DELHI: Farm leaders on Sunday continued their agitation against the three new farm laws asserting that their movement has been a victim of a conspiracy. Farm leaders Rakesh Tikait and his brother Naresh Tikait are now leading the front from Ghazipur border which seems to have become the epicentre of the protests post-Republic Day violence. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast referred to the Red Fort incident, saying the country was much pained at seeing the dishonour to the tricolour on Republic Day. Will honour PM’s dignity, but also protect farmers’ self-respect: Naresh Tikait Farmer leader Naresh Tikait on Sunday said that protesting farmers will honour the dignity of the Prime Minister, but are also committed to protecting their own self-respect. He said the government should “release our men and prepare an environment conducive for talks”. “A respectable solution should be reached. We will never agree to anything under pressure,” he said at the Ghazipur border between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. “We will honour and respect the dignity of the Prime Minister. Farmers don’t want that the government or Parliament bows down to them,” Naresh said. Naresh said, “The violence on January 26 was part of a conspiracy. The tricolour is over and above everything. We will never let anyone disrespect it. It will not be tolerated,” he said. Naresh Tikait is the elder brother of Rakesh Tikait, the farmer leader who is the national spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU). Country was very pained at dishonour to tricolour: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the country was very pained at seeing the dishonour to the tricolour on Republic Day, referring to the religious flag incident at the Red Fort during the farmers’ tractor parade. In his monthly Mann ki Baat radio broadcast, Modi also said the government is committed to modernising agriculture and is taking many steps in this regard. “In Delhi, on January 26, the country was very pained seeing the dishonour to the tricolour,” he said. Thousands of protesting farmers had breached the monument on January 26 after deviating from their tractor rally route triggering a conflict with the police. A section of protesting farmers hoisted flags from some domes of the iconic monument in the national capital. Protest continues amid tight security and internet suspension Heightened security deployment has continued at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) as farmers’ protest against three agriculture laws entered the 67th day on Sunday. The next round of talks between the farmers and the Centre is scheduled for February 2. While the protest at Ghazipur border by the farmers (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border) has entered Day 65. Security has been beefed up as more farmers are coming to the protest site for the past two-three days. To ‘maintain public safety and averting public emergency’, the Union Home Ministry has temporarily suspended internet services at the three borders and their adjoining areas from 11 pm of January 29 to 11 pm of January 31. The Haryana government has also extended the suspension of internet services in 17 districts till 5 pm on January 31. The Delhi Police has also closed the NH-24 route. Government’s offer still stands: PM Modi During all party-meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that the proposal of government given to farmers on January 22 still stands and should be communicated to all by the leaders of the political parties. PM Modi has also said that Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was just a phone call away for protestors. On January 22, during the 11th round of talks with protesting farmers, the government proposed to suspend the new legislations for one-and-a-half years and also proposed to set up a joint committee to discuss the Acts. The tension between the government and farmers protesting the farm laws has escalated after the violence which broke out in various parts of the national capital during the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day. R-day violence; Rakesh Tikait’s emotive appeal; more farmers arrive at Ghazipur The two-month movement against the Centre’s three farm laws was till now dominated by protesters from the fields of Punjab and Haryana who set up camp at the Singhu and Tikri border points. Now, the focus has shifted to Ghazipur on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border where farmers are gathering in thousands. A day after the Republic Day violence in Delhi, when a section of farmers taking part in the tractor parade broke through barriers, clashed with police and stormed the Red Fort for a few hours, the farmer game it seemed to be over. As security presence at the site escalated and fears grew that the protesters would be forcibly evicted, an emotional Rakesh broke down while talking to reporters. The protest won’t be called off. Farmers are being met with injustice, said Rakesh and even threatened to end his life for the cause. His call for continuing the protest against the government struck a deep emotional chord. It led to his brother Naresh calling a maha panchayat at their home town in Muzaffarnagar on Friday where tens of thousands of farmers gathered to back the movement. The crowd at Ghazipur border that had reduced to 500 on Thursday night grew manifold over the next 12 hours, running into well over 5,000 in next 24 hours. The farmer movement was not just revived but further energised. Who are Rakesh Tikait? Born on June 4, 1969, in Sisauli village of Muzaffarnagar district in western Uttar Pradesh, Rakesh Tikait joined Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) after quitting the Delhi Police and gained prominence as a farm leader after the death of his father to cancer in May 2011. Rakesh Tikait, a BA graduate from Meerut University, was designated national spokesperson of the BKU. He has two younger brothers — Surendra, who works as a manager in a sugar mill, and Narendra, engaged in agriculture. The father of two daughters and a son — has been at loggerheads with various governments on a range of farmers’ issues, including loan waivers, minimum support price (MSP), power tariff and land acquisition in states such as UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. He also tried his hand at elections but lost both times. In 2007, he contested the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls from Khatauli constituency in Muzaffarnagar as an independent candidate. In 2014, he fought the Lok Sabha election from Amroha district on a Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) ticket. It’s an affluent family. Ahead of the 2014 polls, Rakesh had declared assets worth Rs 4.25 crore, including Rs 10 lakh cash, and liabilities of Rs 10.95 lakh with land worth over Rs 3 crore forming the biggest chunk of his assets. He also declared three criminal cases against him in the election affidavit. These cases were lodged in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh and Anuppur in Madhya Pradesh. The vocal farmer leader had to spend nights behind the bars for defying public servant’s orders during several of the protests that he has led in the past decade. (With inputs from agencies)

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/01/31/farm-laws-agitation-release-our-men-and-prepare-a-platform-for-talks-says-farmer-leader-naresh-tikait/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Farmers ready to protest till March 2024, says BKU leader: Top developments

NEW DELHI: Terming the ongoing farmers’ agitation as an “ideological revolution”, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday claimed that farmers are ready to protest till May 2024. The farmers have also said that will go ahead with their decision to hold a “tractor parade” in the national capital on Republic Day. This threat comes a day before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter and other issues related to the agitation. Here are the top developments of the day: 1. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said farmers are prepared to protest against the centre’s new farm laws “till May 2024”, and termed the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders as an “ideological revolution”. Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, Tikait said they want a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP). Responding to the question of how long will the farmers protest, Tikait said, “We are prepared to sit in protest till May 2024… our demand is that the three laws be taken back and the government provide a legal guarantee on the MSP.” The next Lok Sabha elections in the country will be due around April-May 2024. Dismissing allegations that the protest was being fuelled by “rich farmers”, Tikait said people from villages and various outfits have joined the protest. “This is an ideological revolution of farmers started from Delhi and will not fail. Farmers from villages do not want us to come back until the three farm bills are taken back,” he said. “The government is adamant on its stance of not withdrawing the bills and this agitation will continue for long,” Tikait added. On National Investigation Agency‘s (NIA) notices to some people supporting the farmers’ protest, he said, “Those who want to be part of the agitation must be ready for court cases, imprisonment and sealing of property.” 2. Farmer unions protesting against the Centre’s agri laws said that they will go ahead with their proposed tractor parade in Delhi on Republic Day. Addressing a press conference at the Singhu border protest site, union leader Yogendra Yadav said, “We will carry out a tractor parade on the Outer Ring Road in Delhi on Republic Day. The parade will be very peaceful. There will be no disruption of the Republic Day parade. The farmers will put up the national flag on their tractors.” The authorities had moved the Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor march or any other kind of protest by farmers which seeks to disrupt the gathering and celebrations of Republic Day on January 26. The matter is pending in court. Another farmer union leader, Darshan Pal Singh, alleged that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is filing cases against those who are part of the protest or supporting it. “All farmer unions condemn this,” Pal said, referring to the NIA summons reportedly issued to a farmer union leader in a case related to the banned Sikhs For Justice outfit. 3. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday the pleas relating to controversial farm laws and the ongoing farmers’ protest at Delhi borders. The apex court may take into account the matter of recusal of a member of the committee set up by it to resolve the impasse. The top court would also hear the plea of the central government, filed through the Delhi Police, seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor march or any other kind of protest by farmers which seeks to disrupt the gathering and celebrations of Republic Day on January 26. 4. Ahead of the tenth round of talks scheduled on January 19, agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar again urged the protesting farm leaders to give up their “stubborn” stand on the new farm laws and come for a clause by clause discussion. “Now that the Supreme Court has stayed the implementation of these laws, then there is no question of being stubborn,” Tomar told reporters before leaving for his home constituency of Morena in Madhya Pradesh. The government wants farmer leaders to come for clause by clause discussion at the next meeting on January 19. Except for the demand of repealing the laws, the government is ready to consider “seriously and with an open heart” other alternatives, he said. So far, the nine rounds of formal talks between the Centre and 41 farmer unions have failed to yield any concrete results to end the long-running protest at Delhi’s borders as the latter have stuck to their main demand of a complete repeal of the three Acts. 5. Tomar, who left for his constituency by Hazur Sahib Nanded-Amritsar Superfast Express, was seen sharing langar from co-passengers of Sikh community – a gesture which comes amid the ongoing protests by farmers from Punjab against the agri laws. The Supreme Court on January 11 had stayed the implementation of the three laws till further orders and appointed a four-member panel to resolve the impasse. Tomar said the government offered certain concessions, but the farmer leaders have not shown flexibility and were constantly demanding a repeal of the laws. He reiterated that the government makes laws for the entire country. Many farmers, experts and other stakeholders have supported the laws. 6. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said doubling farmers income was the biggest priority of the Narendra Modi government and that the three central farm laws would ensure manifold hike in their earnings. Since coming to power, the Modi government had increased the budget for the farm sector and also the MSP for various crops, he said. “I want to say that if there is any big priority of the Narendra Modi government it is to double the farmers income,” he said at an event in Kerakalmatti village in Bagalkote district of Karnataka. Speaking after laying the foundation stone and inauguration of farmer-friendly projects of the MRN group, headed by newly inducted Karnataka minister Murugesh R Nirani, Shah listed out various programmes and initiatives of the central government for the welfare of the farmers. Chief minister BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government in the state too has not left any stone unturned to work for the welfare of farmers, the home minister said. 7. Hundreds of farmers staged a rally in support of the revocation of the new agriculture laws even as police briefly detained the main organiser along with nearly half a dozen of his supporters in Jammu. The tractor rally was led by District Development Council (DDC) member Taranjit Singh Tony who defeated senior BJP leader and former minister Sham Choudhary in the recently held elections, officials said. As the rally started from Bana Singh stadium at Mia Sahib, police blocked the main road and later detained Tony and some of his supporters when they insisted to move towards Satwari along Jammu Airport road as per their programme, the officials said. However, they were later released and the rally ended peacefully. (With agency inputs)

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/01/17/farmers-ready-to-protest-till-march-2024-says-bku-leader-top-developments/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Farmer leaders: Nothing new in govt’s letter; ready for talks but need ‘concrete solution’

NEW DELHI: Farmer leaders on Monday said they are always ready for dialogue as long as the government is offering a “concrete solution”, but claimed that there is nothing new in the Centre’s latest letter to them seeking a date for the next round of talks. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said that the government, in its letter, mentioned that it wants to hold talks over its earlier proposal of amendments in the new agri laws. “On this issue (government’s proposal), we did not talk to them earlier. We are currently discussing how to respond to the government letter,” Tikait told PTI. The sixth round of talks on December 9 was cancelled. In the letter to 40 union leaders, the Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Vivek Aggarwal on Sunday asked them to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest. “There is nothing new in their letter. We have already rejected the government’s proposal to amend the new farm laws. In its letter, the government has asked us to discuss its proposal and convey a date to it for another round of talks. “Don’t they know our demand? We just want a complete repeal of the new agriculture laws,” another farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said. In the letter, the Union agriculture joint secretary said the Centre is making all efforts with “an open heart” to find an appropriate solution to resolve all concerns raised by farmers. The officer said that in its draft proposal sent on December 9, the government had proposed to make necessary amendments on at least seven issues, including providing a “written assurance” to the farmers that the existing minimum support price (MSP) system would continue. Thousands of farmers have been camping at several Delhi border points against the new farm laws for the last 24 days. “It doesn’t make sense that the government is asking us for a date. We are basically sitting here all day long waiting for the government to hear us. They are the ones who have busy schedules. “They should give us a date, or they can simply come to our tents here, see how we are living and talk to us,” said farmer leader Kashmir Singh, who is an assistant secretary of the All India Kisan Samiti (Punjab) said. Amarjeet Singh Rarra, general secretary of Dwaba Kisan Committee, said that farmers are always ready to meet the government but it has to come to them with a concrete solution. “We have studied their proposals clause by clause, and we have repeatedly told them that we want the laws to be repealed,” Rarra said The farmer leaders are expected to meet on Tuesday to discuss the next plan of action, said Gurmeet Singh of Krantikari Kisan Union. “We have already sent them our proposals, and pointed out the issues we had with the government’s proposal. They need to respond to what we have already told them. “Tomorrow, there will be a Sanyukt Morcha meeting to decide how and when to respond to the government. We will evaluate the government’s letter and then decide,” Gurmeet Singh said. Asked why the talks with the government have failed to yield any result, he alleged that the three laws were “anti-farmer” and the government was “favouring the corporates” over the farmers and the common man. “We will meet tomorrow, deliberate and then see what has to be done, but our demand remains the same — we want the laws to be repealed or we won’t move,” said Ram Singh, Haryana State President of Ambedkar Sangharsh Morcha. Enacted in September, the three farm laws have been projected by the central government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country. However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. The government has repeatedly asserted that the MSP and Mandi systems will stay and has accused the opposition of misleading the farmers.

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2020/12/21/farmer-leaders-nothing-new-in-govts-letter-ready-for-talks-but-need-concrete-solution/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Anti-social, Leftist and Maoist elements trying to take control of farmers’ agitation, says Govt; protesters in no mood to budge

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday asked protesting farmers to be vigilant against their platform being misused, saying some “anti-social” as well as “Leftist and Maoist” elements are conspiring to spoil the atmosphere of the agitation even as the protesters stuck to their demands. Photographs of some protesters at the Tikri border seen holding posters demanding release of activists arrested under various charges had gone viral, prompting Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to say that these “anti-social elements” are conspiring to spoil the atmosphere of the peasants’ movement under the guise of farmers. He also said the government is sensitive towards farmers and is in discussion with them and their representatives to resolve their concerns. “A proposal to resolve the farmers’ objection has also been sent to the farmers union and the government is ready for further discussion,” Tomar tweeted. Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal was more direct in his charge, alleging that certain Leftist and Maoist elements seem to have taken “control” of the agitation and rather than discussing on farmer issues, they seem to be having some other agenda. In a tweet, he said, “People of India are watching, seeing what is happening, observing how across the country Leftist-Maoists are not finding any support & therefore they are trying to hijack this farmers agitation & trying misuse this platform for their own agenda.” Farmer leaders had on Thursday insisted that their ongoing protest against the Centre’s new farm laws was “apolitical”. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday asserted that anything less than scrapping of the new agri laws won’t be accepted and if the government wants to talk, farmer leaders should be formally conveyed like in previous occasions. The government had asked farmer groups to consider its proposals for amending the Acts to address their concerns and said it was open to discussing its offer further whenever the unions want. “They (government) should first tell us when and where they want to meet us as they did for previous formal talks. If they invite us for talks, we will discuss that with our coordination committee and then take a decision,” Tikait told PTI. The BKU leader said there was no question of returning home until the government repeals the three laws. Asked whether the government has sent any invite for further discussion, he said the farmer unions have not received anything as such. “One thing is very clear that farmers will not accept anything less than scrapping of new agriculture laws,” he said. Farmers leaders on Thursday announced they would block railway tracks across the country if their demands were not met by the government and would announce a date for that soon. At least five rounds of formal talks have taken place between the Centre and representatives of farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, protesting on various borders of the national capital for about two weeks, but the deadlock has continued with the unions sticking to their main demand for the repeal of the three contentious laws. The sixth round of talks between the government and farm union leaders, which was scheduled for Wednesday morning, was cancelled.

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2020/12/11/anti-social-leftist-and-maoist-elements-trying-to-take-control-of-farmers-agitation-says-govt-protesters-in-no-mood-to-budge/

[bbcbreakingnews]

If government wants to talks to farmers it should convey that formally: BKU leader Rakesh Tikait

NEW DELHI: If the government wants to talk to farmer leaders that should be formally conveyed like in previous occasions, said Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday, asserting that anything less than scrapping of the new agri laws won’t be accepted. The government on Thursday asked farmer groups to consider its proposals for amending the Acts to address their concerns and said it was open to discussing its offer further whenever the unions want. “They (government) should first tell us when and where they want to meet us as they did for previous formal talks. If they invite us for talks, we will discuss that with our coordination committee and then take a decision,” Tikait told PTI. The BKU leader said there was no question of returning home until the government repeals the three laws. Asked whether the government has sent any invite for further discussion, he said the farmer unions have not received anything as such. “One thing is very clear that farmers will not accept anything less than scrapping of new agriculture laws,” he said. Farmers leaders on Thursday announced they would block railway tracks across the country if their demands were not met by the government and would announce a date for that soon. However, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has expressed hope there would be a resolution soon. “The government is keen and ready for further discussions with protesting farmers… To clear their apprehensions, we have sent our proposal to farmer unions. “I want to urge them to fix a date for discussion as early as possible. If they have any issue, the government is ready for discussion,” he had said during a address to reporters along with Food, Railways and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The agriculture minister had also said it was not proper on the part of the farmer unions to announce the next stage of agitation when talks were continuing, and urged them to return to the discussion table. The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) condemned Tomar for his comments and claimed it was the government which remains adamant on not repealing the laws. In a statement, it remarked that the farmers’ organisations were ready for talks and have responded for every previous discussion proposed by the government. Another farmer organisation – the All India Kisan Sabha – said, “AIKS rebuffs the allegation of Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar that the kisan organisations were wrong in intensifying struggle while discussion was going on.” It stated that the farmers’ struggle would be intensified in the coming days until their demands were met. At least five rounds of formal talks have taken place between the Centre and representatives of farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, protesting on various borders of the national capital for about two weeks, but the deadlock has continued with the unions sticking to their main demand for the repeal of the three contentious laws. The sixth round of talks between the government and farm union leaders, which was scheduled for Wednesday morning, was cancelled.

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2020/12/11/if-government-wants-to-talks-to-farmers-it-should-convey-that-formally-bku-leader-rakesh-tikait/