New Delhi: The protests against three new Farm reform acts brought by Modi government continue to be the biggest newsmaker as the deadlock continues even after 5 round of talks between Farmer Unions and the government remained inconclusive. In an attempt to end the deadlock, farmer leaders will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence on Tuesday evening.
On the thirteenth day of a sit-in protest by farmers at Delhi borders, Bharat Bandh is being observed across the country on Tuesday. The movement led by Farmer Unions from Punjab has gathered the support of as many as 19 political parties, civil societies, activists and from almost every section of society in the country and even abroad.
Farmers' demands include the repealing of three Farm Reform Laws, stop new electricity bill and roll back the ordinance that makes the provision of jail and a heavy penalty for farmers on stubble burning. Farmers also want Minimum Support Price (MSP) to be given legal status.
Read: Congress MPs backing farmers sleep on Delhi road
After several attempts by the government to convince farmers in favour of reform laws failed, Union agriculture minister agreed for some necessary amendments and assured farmers that MSP will always remain like before but farmers demanded that government should first call a special session of parliament and suspend the three farm laws, then form a Farmers Committee which will draft the New Farm Reform Bills.
Nearly two months after the Farm Bills were passed in Parliament, the government has finally gathered some support in favour of these laws as RSS affiliate Bhartiya Kisan Sangh recently announced it's support to the government on the issue if the government brings some amendments suggested by them.
Some farmer groups from Haryana and National Award winner Progressive Farmers also extended their support for Farm Reform Laws and submitted a memorandum to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday.
These developments indicate that demand for repealing will unlikely be met as the government has started gathering support in favour of these laws.
Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has clarified that they will accept nothing less than repealing and has warned the government that all roads to Delhi will be blocked if their demands are not accepted till 9th of December when the next round of talks between Farmer Unions and Government is scheduled.
Bharat Bandh saw mixed response with most of the opposition parties supporting the call. Now the pressure is mounting on the government to neutralise the situation by finding a way despite farmers' insistence.
Sources have confirmed that farmer leaders will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah today and it is expected that the Home Minister can play an important role in settling the issue.
Till the time government strikes a deal with the protesting farmers, condition on Delhi borders is expected to remain the same and more roads connecting the national capital from neighbouring states might be blocked by the farmers.
