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Farmers' protest LIVE: Centre ready for talks 24 hrs a day, says Piyush Goyal

Farmers protest
Farmers protest
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Published : Dec 12, 2020, 7:38 AM IST

Updated : Dec 12, 2020, 11:04 PM IST

23:00 December 12

Punjabi groom hoists farmers' flag during his wedding in Australia

Punjabi groom hoists farmers' flag during his wedding in Australia

A groom of Punjab origin supported the farmers' protest by hoisting the farmers' flag during his wedding in Australia's Melbourne city.

21:23 December 12

Rajnath Singh meets Kisan Union
Rajnath Singh meets Kisan Union

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Kisan Union

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union in Delhi. 

21:20 December 12

New Agri laws brought in to loot farmers, withdraw them: Akhilesh to BJP govt

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav asked the BJP government to stop "atrocities" against farmers and withdraw the three agriculture laws brought in for "looting" them.

In a release issued by the party headquarters here, Yadav said the farmers of the country have understood that the BJP government is "adopting different tactics to snatch their land and harvest".

He accused the BJP government of becoming a "puppet in the hands of capitalists."

20:15 December 12

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar speaking to media

Farmer leaders submit memorandum with their signatures supporting farm laws

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, "Progressive farmer leaders from Haryana met me and submitted a memorandum with their signatures supporting the three farm laws."

He said farmers also shared their experiences on how these laws are benefitting them.

19:51 December 12

Union Minister Piyush Goyal speaking to media

Centre is ready to hold discussions with farmers: Piyush Goyal

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that Centre is ready 24 hrs a day to hold discussions with the farmers.

"If the protest is freed from Maoists & Naxals, then our farmers will definitely understand that laws are in their and country's interest. Even after that if they have any doubt, we are open for talks," he said.

"I am confident that most of the farmers stand with the laws, some of them had few reservations which have been sorted through talks. No solution is ever found by leaving the table after putting one point, that shows maybe movement has gone out of their hands," he added.

He further said, "We fully trust the farmers of India, they are peace-loving & they are our 'annadatas'. We respect them and we have the confidence that they will not allow Maoist and Naxal forces to influence the people across the country."

18:13 December 12

Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar holds meeting with Haryana farmers

Tomar holds meeting with Haryana farmers

Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar is holding a meeting with farmers' leaders from Haryana at Krishi Bhawan.

18:08 December 12

Farmer leaders to sit on fast at Singhu border

Sanyukta Kisan Andolan's Kamal Preet Singh Pannu, said, "On 14th Dec, all farmer leaders will sit on a fast sharing same stage at Singhu border. We want govt to take back 3 Farm bills, we're not in favour of amendments. Centre wants to thwart our movement but we'll continue it peacefully."

He also said, "We'll foil any attempt by the Centre to fail our movement. Govt had made a few small attempts to divide us and instigate people of our movement. But, we will peacefully take this movement towards victory."

"Thousands of farmers will begin a tractor march tomorrow at 11 am from Shahjahanpur in Rajasthan and will block Jaipur-Delhi main road. After our nationwide call, all toll plazas of Haryana are free today.

17:22 December 12

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala speaking to media

Dushyant Chautala meets Union Agri Minister

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar over the contentious farm laws.

Following the meeting, Chautala said, "I'm hopeful that there is mutual consent between the Centre and farmers' Union and we can resolve this issue by talks. I'm hopeful for the next 28 to 40 hours, there will be another round of talks & some conclusive statement can be out."

16:37 December 12

Cong accuses Modi govt of branding every opponent 'Maoist' and 'anti-national'

The Congress accused the Modi government of branding every person opposing it a "Maoist" and an "anti-national" and urged the Centre to accede to the demands of the protesting farmers.

The party's comments came in a day after Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said some "anti-social elements" are conspiring to spoil the atmosphere of the peasants' movement under the guise of farmers and appealed to the protesting farming community to be vigilant against their platform being misused.

15:33 December 12

No guarantees, want law for MSP: Farmer Leader 

Dungar Singh, a farmer leader from Uttar Pradesh, said, "We want MSP of all our produce including potatoes, sugarcane, grains, vegetables and milk. We don't want this guarantee in written form but we want a law for MSP now. 

15:31 December 12

Farmers will benefit from MSP Guarantee Bill: AIKSCC

All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee's Sardar VM Singh said, "We want assurance on the MSP. We want a guarantee of the purchase of our produce under it. Farmers will be benefited if you bring MSP Guarantee Bill."

15:18 December 12

Farmers don't want laws, why the centre is showing tyranny, says Badal

 "Unfortunate that Centre's trying to stifle the voices, instead of listening to them. Farmers don't want farm laws. Why is Centre showing tyranny when the section -for whom laws have been formed- don't want it? I request PM to listen to farmers," said SS Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal chief.

15:11 December 12

Yuvraj Singh hopes for swift resolution to farmers' issues

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh on his birthday today hoped for a "swift resolution" to the ongoing farmers' issues through dialogue.

Yuvraj also urged people to take necessary precautions against coronavirus as the country continues its fight against the pandemic. "Birthdays are an opportunity to fulfil a wish or desire and this birthday rather than celebrating I only wish and pray for a swift resolution of the ongoing talks between our farmers and our government," Yuvraj said in a Twitter post.

15:05 December 12

Govt committed to help farmers through its reforms: PM Modi

Addressing the 93rd Annual Convention of FICCI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government was committed to helping farmers, and the recent reforms would give them access to new markets and technology, and help increase investments in the agricultural sector.  

He further said that with the new laws in place, farmers would have the option to sell their crops in mandis or to outside parties.

14:52 December 12

  • कृषि क़ानूनों को हटाने के लिए हमारे किसान भाइयों को और कितनी आहुति देनी होगी? pic.twitter.com/GSnazbYDoA

    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 12, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data=" ">

How many sacrifices will farmers have to make to get Agri laws repealed, asks Rahul Gandhi 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cited a media report to claim that 11 farmers had died in the last 17 days of protest against the new agriculture laws and asked how many more sacrifices will farmers have to make to get the legislation repealed. 

"How many more sacrifices will the farmers have to make to get the Agri laws repealed?" Gandhi asked in a tweet in Hindi.

13:14 December 12

Farmers block toll plaza in Sonipat

Farmers, who are up in arms against three central farm laws, blocked the toll plaza on Sonipat national highway.

Protesting farmers did not allow toll collection authorities to charge toll fee from commuters. Farmers, however, permitted vehicles to pass through without any payment at the plazas.

However, Sonipat Police has been deployed on the plaza and adequate security arrangements have been made.

11:36 December 12

Famers block toll plaza at Hisar

Farmers blocked the toll plaza at Hisar-Delhi National Highway-9.

This toll plaza connects Punjab and Rajasthan with Delhi.

Protesting farmers did not allow toll collection authorities to charge toll fee from commuters. Farmers, however, permitted vehicles to pass through without any payment at the plazas.

A heavy police force has been deployed at the plaza.

11:11 December 12

This toll has been free since 12 am last night. Some farmers had come & it has been done for their agitation. We haven't received any order yet as to how long this will continue but farmers are saying that this will remain free till 12 am tonight: Ravi Tiwari, toll plaza in charge

11:10 December 12

Vehicles move through toll plaza

Haryana: Vehicles move through Shambhu Toll Plaza in Ambala after farmers closed the toll today, making it toll-free, as a part of their protest against Farm Laws.

11:07 December 12

Normal vehicular traffic flows through functional toll plazas in Agra

Normal vehicular traffic flows through functional toll plazas in Agra
Normal vehicular traffic flows through functional toll plazas in Agra

Normal vehicular traffic flows through functional toll plazas in Agra district

"There're 5 major toll plazas here & we have no information of any one of them being blocked by farmers. We're monitoring the plazas as well," says ASP(West) Agra

11:07 December 12

Central Intelligence should catch them. If people of a banned org are roaming amid us, put them behind bars. We haven't found any such person here, if we do we'll send them away: Rakesh Tikait, Bharatiya Kisan Union when asked if 'anti-national elements' got involved in agitation

09:40 December 12

Punjab farmers protest at toll plaza, makes it free for people

Punjab farmers protest at toll plaza, makes it free for people

Farmers, who are up in arms against three central farm laws, on Friday late night blocked the toll plaza at Panipat-Karnal.

Protesting farmers did not allow toll collection authorities to charge toll fee from commuters. Farmers, however, permitted vehicles to pass through without any payment at the plazas

07:41 December 12

Farmers to block Delhi-Jaipur road today

On 12th Dec, we'll block Delhi-Jaipur road. On 14th, we'll stage sit-in protest in front of DC offices, houses of BJP leaders & block Reliance/Adani toll plazas. No program to stop trains. Number of farmers coming here is increasing: Balbir S Rajewal, Bharatiya Kisan Union chief.

07:14 December 12

With anti-riot equipment, around 3,500 police personnel will be deployed at all five toll plazas in Faridabad, Haryana in view of the call given by agitating farmers to block toll plazas today: Faridabad Police.

06:31 December 12

Farmers' protest LIVE Updates

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 the 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 said.

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 the 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.

23:00 December 12

Punjabi groom hoists farmers' flag during his wedding in Australia

Punjabi groom hoists farmers' flag during his wedding in Australia

A groom of Punjab origin supported the farmers' protest by hoisting the farmers' flag during his wedding in Australia's Melbourne city.

21:23 December 12

Rajnath Singh meets Kisan Union
Rajnath Singh meets Kisan Union

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Kisan Union

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union in Delhi. 

21:20 December 12

New Agri laws brought in to loot farmers, withdraw them: Akhilesh to BJP govt

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav asked the BJP government to stop "atrocities" against farmers and withdraw the three agriculture laws brought in for "looting" them.

In a release issued by the party headquarters here, Yadav said the farmers of the country have understood that the BJP government is "adopting different tactics to snatch their land and harvest".

He accused the BJP government of becoming a "puppet in the hands of capitalists."

20:15 December 12

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar speaking to media

Farmer leaders submit memorandum with their signatures supporting farm laws

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, "Progressive farmer leaders from Haryana met me and submitted a memorandum with their signatures supporting the three farm laws."

He said farmers also shared their experiences on how these laws are benefitting them.

19:51 December 12

Union Minister Piyush Goyal speaking to media

Centre is ready to hold discussions with farmers: Piyush Goyal

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that Centre is ready 24 hrs a day to hold discussions with the farmers.

"If the protest is freed from Maoists & Naxals, then our farmers will definitely understand that laws are in their and country's interest. Even after that if they have any doubt, we are open for talks," he said.

"I am confident that most of the farmers stand with the laws, some of them had few reservations which have been sorted through talks. No solution is ever found by leaving the table after putting one point, that shows maybe movement has gone out of their hands," he added.

He further said, "We fully trust the farmers of India, they are peace-loving & they are our 'annadatas'. We respect them and we have the confidence that they will not allow Maoist and Naxal forces to influence the people across the country."

18:13 December 12

Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar holds meeting with Haryana farmers

Tomar holds meeting with Haryana farmers

Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar is holding a meeting with farmers' leaders from Haryana at Krishi Bhawan.

18:08 December 12

Farmer leaders to sit on fast at Singhu border

Sanyukta Kisan Andolan's Kamal Preet Singh Pannu, said, "On 14th Dec, all farmer leaders will sit on a fast sharing same stage at Singhu border. We want govt to take back 3 Farm bills, we're not in favour of amendments. Centre wants to thwart our movement but we'll continue it peacefully."

He also said, "We'll foil any attempt by the Centre to fail our movement. Govt had made a few small attempts to divide us and instigate people of our movement. But, we will peacefully take this movement towards victory."

"Thousands of farmers will begin a tractor march tomorrow at 11 am from Shahjahanpur in Rajasthan and will block Jaipur-Delhi main road. After our nationwide call, all toll plazas of Haryana are free today.

17:22 December 12

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala speaking to media

Dushyant Chautala meets Union Agri Minister

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar over the contentious farm laws.

Following the meeting, Chautala said, "I'm hopeful that there is mutual consent between the Centre and farmers' Union and we can resolve this issue by talks. I'm hopeful for the next 28 to 40 hours, there will be another round of talks & some conclusive statement can be out."

16:37 December 12

Cong accuses Modi govt of branding every opponent 'Maoist' and 'anti-national'

The Congress accused the Modi government of branding every person opposing it a "Maoist" and an "anti-national" and urged the Centre to accede to the demands of the protesting farmers.

The party's comments came in a day after Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said some "anti-social elements" are conspiring to spoil the atmosphere of the peasants' movement under the guise of farmers and appealed to the protesting farming community to be vigilant against their platform being misused.

15:33 December 12

No guarantees, want law for MSP: Farmer Leader 

Dungar Singh, a farmer leader from Uttar Pradesh, said, "We want MSP of all our produce including potatoes, sugarcane, grains, vegetables and milk. We don't want this guarantee in written form but we want a law for MSP now. 

15:31 December 12

Farmers will benefit from MSP Guarantee Bill: AIKSCC

All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee's Sardar VM Singh said, "We want assurance on the MSP. We want a guarantee of the purchase of our produce under it. Farmers will be benefited if you bring MSP Guarantee Bill."

15:18 December 12

Farmers don't want laws, why the centre is showing tyranny, says Badal

 "Unfortunate that Centre's trying to stifle the voices, instead of listening to them. Farmers don't want farm laws. Why is Centre showing tyranny when the section -for whom laws have been formed- don't want it? I request PM to listen to farmers," said SS Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal chief.

15:11 December 12

Yuvraj Singh hopes for swift resolution to farmers' issues

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh on his birthday today hoped for a "swift resolution" to the ongoing farmers' issues through dialogue.

Yuvraj also urged people to take necessary precautions against coronavirus as the country continues its fight against the pandemic. "Birthdays are an opportunity to fulfil a wish or desire and this birthday rather than celebrating I only wish and pray for a swift resolution of the ongoing talks between our farmers and our government," Yuvraj said in a Twitter post.

15:05 December 12

Govt committed to help farmers through its reforms: PM Modi

Addressing the 93rd Annual Convention of FICCI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government was committed to helping farmers, and the recent reforms would give them access to new markets and technology, and help increase investments in the agricultural sector.  

He further said that with the new laws in place, farmers would have the option to sell their crops in mandis or to outside parties.

14:52 December 12

  • कृषि क़ानूनों को हटाने के लिए हमारे किसान भाइयों को और कितनी आहुति देनी होगी? pic.twitter.com/GSnazbYDoA

    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 12, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data=" ">

How many sacrifices will farmers have to make to get Agri laws repealed, asks Rahul Gandhi 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cited a media report to claim that 11 farmers had died in the last 17 days of protest against the new agriculture laws and asked how many more sacrifices will farmers have to make to get the legislation repealed. 

"How many more sacrifices will the farmers have to make to get the Agri laws repealed?" Gandhi asked in a tweet in Hindi.

13:14 December 12

Farmers block toll plaza in Sonipat

Farmers, who are up in arms against three central farm laws, blocked the toll plaza on Sonipat national highway.

Protesting farmers did not allow toll collection authorities to charge toll fee from commuters. Farmers, however, permitted vehicles to pass through without any payment at the plazas.

However, Sonipat Police has been deployed on the plaza and adequate security arrangements have been made.

11:36 December 12

Famers block toll plaza at Hisar

Farmers blocked the toll plaza at Hisar-Delhi National Highway-9.

This toll plaza connects Punjab and Rajasthan with Delhi.

Protesting farmers did not allow toll collection authorities to charge toll fee from commuters. Farmers, however, permitted vehicles to pass through without any payment at the plazas.

A heavy police force has been deployed at the plaza.

11:11 December 12

This toll has been free since 12 am last night. Some farmers had come & it has been done for their agitation. We haven't received any order yet as to how long this will continue but farmers are saying that this will remain free till 12 am tonight: Ravi Tiwari, toll plaza in charge

11:10 December 12

Vehicles move through toll plaza

Haryana: Vehicles move through Shambhu Toll Plaza in Ambala after farmers closed the toll today, making it toll-free, as a part of their protest against Farm Laws.

11:07 December 12

Normal vehicular traffic flows through functional toll plazas in Agra

Normal vehicular traffic flows through functional toll plazas in Agra
Normal vehicular traffic flows through functional toll plazas in Agra

Normal vehicular traffic flows through functional toll plazas in Agra district

"There're 5 major toll plazas here & we have no information of any one of them being blocked by farmers. We're monitoring the plazas as well," says ASP(West) Agra

11:07 December 12

Central Intelligence should catch them. If people of a banned org are roaming amid us, put them behind bars. We haven't found any such person here, if we do we'll send them away: Rakesh Tikait, Bharatiya Kisan Union when asked if 'anti-national elements' got involved in agitation

09:40 December 12

Punjab farmers protest at toll plaza, makes it free for people

Punjab farmers protest at toll plaza, makes it free for people

Farmers, who are up in arms against three central farm laws, on Friday late night blocked the toll plaza at Panipat-Karnal.

Protesting farmers did not allow toll collection authorities to charge toll fee from commuters. Farmers, however, permitted vehicles to pass through without any payment at the plazas

07:41 December 12

Farmers to block Delhi-Jaipur road today

On 12th Dec, we'll block Delhi-Jaipur road. On 14th, we'll stage sit-in protest in front of DC offices, houses of BJP leaders & block Reliance/Adani toll plazas. No program to stop trains. Number of farmers coming here is increasing: Balbir S Rajewal, Bharatiya Kisan Union chief.

07:14 December 12

With anti-riot equipment, around 3,500 police personnel will be deployed at all five toll plazas in Faridabad, Haryana in view of the call given by agitating farmers to block toll plazas today: Faridabad Police.

06:31 December 12

Farmers' protest LIVE Updates

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 the 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 said.

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 the 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.

Last Updated : Dec 12, 2020, 11:04 PM IST
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