New Delhi: The Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav who is protesting against the Centre's new farm laws, on Sunday rejected Union home minister Amit Shah's proposal for a discussion on farmers' grievances.
Contending that the government is imposing conditions on the talks, Yadav said the farmers would sit on the borders of Delhi for now.
Reportedly, Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav is part of a 7-member committee of farmers that took the decision to turn down the offer.
Speaking to ETV Bharat here, Yadav said, "On the one hand, the Home Minister proposes to negotiate through the media and on the other hand he also stipulates that the farmers leave the highway and go to the ground at Burari. It is not possible."
"The government should stop laying down any conditions. They should stop assuming that the dialogue can be about an explanation to farmers about the benefits of the Acts and should come straight out with a proposal," he said.
Criticizing Haryana CM, Manoharlal Khattar's statement, Yadav said, "The Home Minister claims to be farmer-friendly but his Chief Minister makes statements against the farmers and connects the farmers' movement with the Khalistani terrorists."
"On Sunday, a meeting of all thirty farmers' organizations of Punjab took place in which it was unanimously decided that they reject the government's proposal for conditional negotiations. In such a situation, the government now has to decide what it wants to do next," Yadav said to ETV Bharat.
According to the farmers' organizations, the path of dialogue is open but they are not ready to accept any condition of the government.
On the matter of the gathering of Burari at Sant Nirankari Samagam Ground, reports claiming that the farmers' organisations have been divided into two factions. It is said that some farmer organizations agreed to go to Burari and also gathered there but the farmers' associations of Punjab refused it.
In such a situation, questions are arising whether mutual differences had arisen between the agitation in the farmers' organizations.
Speaking on this matter, Yadav said, "There is no difference of opinion between the farmer organizations. Farmers' organizations are also opposing the proposed electricity law of the Modi government and are also demanding the withdrawal of the provision of punishment and fine against the farmer for burning stubble."
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