Farmers' stir: Farmers to take out procession from Red Fort to India Gate on R Day

22:41 January 14

Farmers to take out procession from Red Fort to India Gate on Republic Day: Bharatiya Kisan Union

Protesting farmers will take out a procession from Red Fort to India Gate and hoist the national flag at Amar Jawan Jyoti on Republic Day, said the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU). BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Thursday said, "There will be a historic parade on Republic Day this year. Farmers will take out a procession from Red Fort to India Gate from one side while jawans will march from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate. We will meet at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. The farmers will make the country proud." His remarks came after the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of the three central farm laws today.

19:23 January 14

Farmer unions want talks with Govt to continue to resolve deadlock: Tikait

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 dialogue to resolve the deadlock and end the agitation.

While the previous eight rounds of negotiations have failed to end the protests continuing for several weeks on various borders of the national capital, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said earlier in the day that the government is hopeful of positive discussions at Friday's scheduled meeting.

Tikait also said the protesting unions will attend the meeting with union ministers on Friday.
 

17:07 January 14

Govt wants to do politics on farmers' protest, paint it as anti-national: Shiv Sena

Days after the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of the new farm laws, Shiv Senaon Thursday said that the Central government does not want to just end the protest on the contentious acts, but also wants to do politics by painting it as "anti-national".

The editorial in Shiv Sena's mouthpiece 'Saamana' also said that the farmers are adamant about continuing their protest despite the Supreme Court ruling.

"Now it will be said on behalf of the government that these farmers do not even listen to the Supreme Court. The question is not about the dignity of the Supreme Court, but about the agricultural policy of the country. Farmers are demanding that farm laws be repealed. The decision has to be taken by the government," it said.

17:04 January 14

If governments can last 5 years, so can protests: Tikait

As the farmers' agitation against the newly passed agricultural laws by the Centre entered its 50th day on Thursday, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait wondered if a government can hold office for five years, why can't the farmers' protest go on for the same period of time.

He said this while responding to a question on the proposed duration of the agitation.

"It the government can function for five years, why can't the movement go on? We respect the Supreme Court's decision but are not happy with the committee (set by the apex court). Our movement will continue till the government withdraws the farm laws," said Tikait.

17:03 January 14

Farmers never ask for mediation: Yogendra Yadav on SC constituted committee

Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court of halting the controversial law.

On the other hand, he expressed his displeasure of constituting a four-member committee to mediate between the agitating farmers and the Centre.

"The agitating farmers have never demanded of any mediation. They have only one option-'to scrap the three farm laws'. Those who have been included in the committee had already given their support to the black laws", said Yadav to ETV Bharat.

16:25 January 14

Pawar welcomes SC decision on farm laws

Welcoming the decision of the Supreme Court of staying the implementation of three farm laws, the NCP chief Sharad Pawar said 'it is a big relief to farmers.' 

"A welcome decision has been taken by the Apex Court of India to put on hold the implementation of three farm laws and set up a four-member committee to resolve the issues," Pawar said.

"It is a big relief for farmers and I hope that a concrete dialogue between Central government and farmers will be initiated now, keeping the farmers' interests and well-being in mind," he added.

15:04 January 14

Farmers' stir LIVE: Farmers to take out procession from Red Fort to India Gate on R Day

New Delhi: Bhupinder Singh Mann, President, Bhartiya Kisan Union-Mann, whose name was recommended by the Supreme Court in a four-member committee to take over negotiations with the farmers has recused himself from the 4 member committee on Thursday

"While I am thankful to Hon'ble Supreme Court of India for nominating me in the 4 member committee to start a dialogue with KisanlUnions on the three laws brought in by the Central Government.

As a farmer myself and a Union leader, in view of the prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst the farm unions and the public in general, I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me so as to not compromise the interests of Punjab and farmers of the country, I am recusing myself from the Committee and I will always stand with my farmers and Punjab", read the statement released by Bhartiya Kisan Union on their official Twitter handle.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of the three controversial farm laws and formed a four-member committee to take over negotiations with the farmers on the impact of these laws.

The committee comprises four members: Bhupinder Singh Mann, National President, Bhartiya Kisan Union and All India Kisan Coordination Committee; Dr. Parmod Kumar Joshi, Agricultural Economist, and Director for South Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute; Ashok Gulati, Agricultural Economist and former Chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices; and Anil Ghanwat, President, Shetkari Sanghatana

The top court said the committee has been constituted for the purpose of listening to the grievances of the farmers relating to the farm laws and the views of the government and to make recommendations. 

The bench added that the representatives of all the farmers' bodies, whether they are holding a protest or not and whether they support or oppose the laws, shall participate in the deliberations of the committee and put forth their view points.

Farmers have been protesting at 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.