18:52 December 18
Actor Swara Bhasker joins farmers’ protests at Singhu border
Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker joined the farmers’ protest at Singhu border.
Bhasker shared on Twitter, “A humbling day, to see the grit, resolve and determination of protesting farmers and the elderly at #SinghuBorder #FarmersProtests.”
18:36 December 18
Agitating farmers 'cultivate' on highway divider
Amid protest against the farm laws, the agitating farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad started 'cultivating' on the dividers of National Highway 9.
"There is a lot of soil on the divider in which we have started cultivating vegetables and flowers,' said a farmer.
18:15 December 18
Fight is against three farm laws, not the govt, says boxer Vijender Singh
Boxer and Congress leader Vijender Singh distributed food at langar organised by the Jamindara Student Organisation (JSO) for protesting farmers at the Tikri Border.
While speaking to media, Vijender Singh said that his fight is not against the government but against the newly enacted farm laws.
"We are here to serve the farmers of our country. Our fight is not against the government but the three black laws," he added.
17:37 December 18
All India Kisan Sabha announces support for farm protests
The All India Kisan Sabha said it would join farmers protesting in Delhi against the new farm laws introduced by the Centre.
The announcement was made in Nashik by AIKS leaders Ajit Nawale and Ashok Dhawale, Centre for Indian Trade Unions' state president Dr DM Darar and Sunil Malusare among others.
17:37 December 18
AIKSCC alleges PM Modi of spreading false narratives
All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he has indulged in politics instead of resolving the farmers' issue.
The farmer union also alleged the Prime Minister to spread false narratives to get the political mileage.
17:10 December 18
Focus only on resolving the standoff with farmers: Ashok Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot asked the central government to focus on resolving its standoff with farmers over three farm laws and keep other issues on hold.
Gehlot also claimed that be it the judiciary or bureaucracy, all are functioning under pressure from the Centre.
17:05 December 18
Tomar says informal talks on, hopeful about reaching solution before year ends
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the government is hopeful of resolving farmers’ agitation against three new farm laws before the new year and is continuing its informal dialogue with various groups to diffuse the crisis.
Tomar asserted that the three new farm laws are beneficial for farmers and the government is ready to give a written assurance that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and mandi system will continue.
"We have constantly been holding discussions with farmers' unions... Overall, our effort is to reach a solution through dialogue with them. We are still open for talks. We are holding discussions with unions. I hope through dialogue we can move towards reaching a solution," Tomar said while replying to a query about the stalemate and way forward.
17:01 December 18
Union minister Naqvi slams opposition leaders
Slamming opposition leaders for their stance against the new farm laws, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has alleged that "failed political players" who have been rejected repeatedly by the people are acting under their "depression of defeat" and "misleading" the farmers.
The Minority Affairs Minister also lashed out at Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that the Congress leader was "posing" as a farmers' leader despite knowing little about farming, while the Delhi chief minister was "karne mein zero, dharne mein hero (zero in work, but hero in sit-ins)".
16:50 December 18
Smriti Irani slams Congress at Kisan Sammelan in Meerut
Speaking at Kisan Sammelan in Meerut, Smriti Irani, Union Minister of Textiles, said that PM Narendra Modi provided Rs 8 lakh crores in MSP to farmers during his tenure compared to Rs 3.5 lakh crores which UPA provided in 10 yrs of their tenure.
"What did they do when they were the ruling party? she asked.
She further said, "The opposition claims that the one who made the bills isn't a farmer. The one who talks of producing 40-inch potato is he a farmer? Is Sonia Gandhi a farmer? The one who actually did something for farmers is PM Narendra Modi."
14:58 December 18
Govt serious about MSP: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "If we had to remove MSP, why would we implement the Swaminathan Commission report? Our govt is serious about the MSP, that's why we declare it before sowing season every year. This makes it easy for farmers to make calculations."
He also said that people who are against the farm laws are not against the reforms but they are angry that Modi got it done.
"I want to tell all the political parties that they can take all the credit, but they should stop misleading farmers," he added.
14:52 December 18
Political parties creating fear among farmers: PM Modi
PM Modi speaking on farm laws said, "We have been asking parties what is their issue? But they are not ready to talk to us...people who have lost their political grounds are trying to get it back by creating fear among farmers about them losing their fields. Today I want to expose these political parties to our farmers."
He added that these parties refused to implement the Swaminathan Commission report for 8 years.
14:16 December 18
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges farmers to join talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged farmers to join talks while addressing the farmers of Madhya Pradesh as part of a Kisan Kalyan Sammelan on Friday. He told that opposition is using farmers' concern for political gains.
They suppressed Swaminathan report. They never joined any farmers movement. We initiated PM Kisan project and deposited Rs 730 crores in farmers' account. Nowadays, there are no reports of Urea issue. We ensured that farmers' fields get sufficient Urea, he said.
14:16 December 18
Open to meet protesting farm unions anytime to end deadlock, address all genuine concerns: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar
13:02 December 18
Chipko movement leader Sundarlal Bahuguna extends supports to farmers
Dehradun: Chipko movement leader Sundarlal Bahuguna on Friday extended his support to the farmers.
In a video message released by the Bahuguna family, Bahuguna said, "I support the demands of the 'annadatas.' The farmers are the real soldiers of the country's food security, the concern of the farmers are justified."
Bahuguna said he is unable to join the movement due to ill health but he supports the farmers' movement and their demands. He further said that the government should resolve this crisis peacefully by considering the demands of the farmers.
12:53 December 18
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy along with Members of United Progressive Alliance, the leaders of the Congress party, CPI, CPI(M), MDMK, DMK and other parties embark on one-day hunger strike in support of farmers.
11:01 December 18
Protesting farmers to install more tents at Singhu border
New Delhi: Protesting farmers at the Singhu border are making arrangements to install waterproof tents to protect them from the cold weather.
"We are preparing ourselves for a longer stay as our fight against black laws will continue. It is getting colder, so we are putting more tents," said a protester.
"PM should talk to the farmers and take back the farm laws. We will not give up our fight against these laws," said Dayal Singh, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab.
While the protesters including women, children and senior citizens remain at the Singhu border amid chilly weather, they have started facing difficulties as the national capital's temperature dips down. Preparations are underway for setting up a long tent here to protect the protesters from the cold weather conditions.
"This agitation will go on for long, we have women, children and senior citizens with us, so we are preparing a long tent to save them from this cold weather," said Salwinder Singh, farmers' leader.
10:06 December 18
DMK, allies begin hunger strike in support of protesting farmers
Chennai: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) -led opposition in Tamil Nadu on Friday embarked on a day-long hunger strike in support of protesting farmers.
On Friday, DMK chief and Leader of Opposition, M K Stalin, party M P Kanimozhi and leaders of alliance parties participated in the protest here.
09:19 December 18
The Central Government said that those protesting against the farm laws are anti-nationals. We condemn it. We stand in support of the farmers: D M K President M K Stalin in Chennai.
07:29 December 18
Farmers' Stir LIVE Updates
Farmer leaders to consult senior lawyers to decide next course of action
New Delhi: Braving the cold weather, farmers continue to protest on the 23rd day against the three new farm laws. Thousands of farmers have been camping at several Delhi border points for the last 22 days.
Farmers' leaders on Thursday had said they will consult senior lawyers, including Colin Gonsalves, Dushyant Dave and Prashant Bhushan, before deciding the next course of action after the Supreme Court said it was thinking of setting up an "impartial and independent" panel of agriculture experts and peasants' unions to resolve the deadlock over the contentious farm laws.
The protesting farmers' leaders welcomed the apex court's move to acknowledge the right of farmers to non-violent protests but asserted that their agitation will continue till a concrete solution is found.
"We will meet senior lawyers Colin Gonsalves, Dushyant Dave, H S Phoolka and Prashant Bhushan on Friday and consult them about what can be done," Abhimanyu Kohar, a leader of the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, told.
He said that the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of around 40 farmers' unions protesting at Delhi's border points, has not received any notice from the Supreme Court, adding that it will comment on the matter only after seeing a copy of the Court's order.
Senior Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Dharampal Malik said a technical team has been formed by the union, adding that the Centre should first make its stance clear on whether it wants to put the contentious farm laws on hold.
Meanwhile, the protesting farmers observed a two-minute silence on Thursday to pay their respects to Sikh preacher Sant Ram Singh, who allegedly committed suicide at the Singhu border on Wednesday.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had acknowledged the right of farmers to non-violent protests and mooted the idea of putting on hold the contentious farm laws to enable negotiations with the agitating farmers, which was opposed by the Centre, who said the agriculturists would not come forward for the talks then.
The apex court made it clear that the issue of farmers' protest and the right of others to move freely would be dealt on priority at the moment and not the validity of the laws.
The top court said it was of the view that the farmers' right to protest should not infringe the fundamental right of others to move freely and supply of essential food. The right to protest does not mean blocking the entire city.
18:52 December 18
Actor Swara Bhasker joins farmers’ protests at Singhu border
Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker joined the farmers’ protest at Singhu border.
Bhasker shared on Twitter, “A humbling day, to see the grit, resolve and determination of protesting farmers and the elderly at #SinghuBorder #FarmersProtests.”
18:36 December 18
Agitating farmers 'cultivate' on highway divider
Amid protest against the farm laws, the agitating farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad started 'cultivating' on the dividers of National Highway 9.
"There is a lot of soil on the divider in which we have started cultivating vegetables and flowers,' said a farmer.
18:15 December 18
Fight is against three farm laws, not the govt, says boxer Vijender Singh
Boxer and Congress leader Vijender Singh distributed food at langar organised by the Jamindara Student Organisation (JSO) for protesting farmers at the Tikri Border.
While speaking to media, Vijender Singh said that his fight is not against the government but against the newly enacted farm laws.
"We are here to serve the farmers of our country. Our fight is not against the government but the three black laws," he added.
17:37 December 18
All India Kisan Sabha announces support for farm protests
The All India Kisan Sabha said it would join farmers protesting in Delhi against the new farm laws introduced by the Centre.
The announcement was made in Nashik by AIKS leaders Ajit Nawale and Ashok Dhawale, Centre for Indian Trade Unions' state president Dr DM Darar and Sunil Malusare among others.
17:37 December 18
AIKSCC alleges PM Modi of spreading false narratives
All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he has indulged in politics instead of resolving the farmers' issue.
The farmer union also alleged the Prime Minister to spread false narratives to get the political mileage.
17:10 December 18
Focus only on resolving the standoff with farmers: Ashok Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot asked the central government to focus on resolving its standoff with farmers over three farm laws and keep other issues on hold.
Gehlot also claimed that be it the judiciary or bureaucracy, all are functioning under pressure from the Centre.
17:05 December 18
Tomar says informal talks on, hopeful about reaching solution before year ends
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the government is hopeful of resolving farmers’ agitation against three new farm laws before the new year and is continuing its informal dialogue with various groups to diffuse the crisis.
Tomar asserted that the three new farm laws are beneficial for farmers and the government is ready to give a written assurance that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and mandi system will continue.
"We have constantly been holding discussions with farmers' unions... Overall, our effort is to reach a solution through dialogue with them. We are still open for talks. We are holding discussions with unions. I hope through dialogue we can move towards reaching a solution," Tomar said while replying to a query about the stalemate and way forward.
17:01 December 18
Union minister Naqvi slams opposition leaders
Slamming opposition leaders for their stance against the new farm laws, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has alleged that "failed political players" who have been rejected repeatedly by the people are acting under their "depression of defeat" and "misleading" the farmers.
The Minority Affairs Minister also lashed out at Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that the Congress leader was "posing" as a farmers' leader despite knowing little about farming, while the Delhi chief minister was "karne mein zero, dharne mein hero (zero in work, but hero in sit-ins)".
16:50 December 18
Smriti Irani slams Congress at Kisan Sammelan in Meerut
Speaking at Kisan Sammelan in Meerut, Smriti Irani, Union Minister of Textiles, said that PM Narendra Modi provided Rs 8 lakh crores in MSP to farmers during his tenure compared to Rs 3.5 lakh crores which UPA provided in 10 yrs of their tenure.
"What did they do when they were the ruling party? she asked.
She further said, "The opposition claims that the one who made the bills isn't a farmer. The one who talks of producing 40-inch potato is he a farmer? Is Sonia Gandhi a farmer? The one who actually did something for farmers is PM Narendra Modi."
14:58 December 18
Govt serious about MSP: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "If we had to remove MSP, why would we implement the Swaminathan Commission report? Our govt is serious about the MSP, that's why we declare it before sowing season every year. This makes it easy for farmers to make calculations."
He also said that people who are against the farm laws are not against the reforms but they are angry that Modi got it done.
"I want to tell all the political parties that they can take all the credit, but they should stop misleading farmers," he added.
14:52 December 18
Political parties creating fear among farmers: PM Modi
PM Modi speaking on farm laws said, "We have been asking parties what is their issue? But they are not ready to talk to us...people who have lost their political grounds are trying to get it back by creating fear among farmers about them losing their fields. Today I want to expose these political parties to our farmers."
He added that these parties refused to implement the Swaminathan Commission report for 8 years.
14:16 December 18
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges farmers to join talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged farmers to join talks while addressing the farmers of Madhya Pradesh as part of a Kisan Kalyan Sammelan on Friday. He told that opposition is using farmers' concern for political gains.
They suppressed Swaminathan report. They never joined any farmers movement. We initiated PM Kisan project and deposited Rs 730 crores in farmers' account. Nowadays, there are no reports of Urea issue. We ensured that farmers' fields get sufficient Urea, he said.
14:16 December 18
Open to meet protesting farm unions anytime to end deadlock, address all genuine concerns: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar
13:02 December 18
Chipko movement leader Sundarlal Bahuguna extends supports to farmers
Dehradun: Chipko movement leader Sundarlal Bahuguna on Friday extended his support to the farmers.
In a video message released by the Bahuguna family, Bahuguna said, "I support the demands of the 'annadatas.' The farmers are the real soldiers of the country's food security, the concern of the farmers are justified."
Bahuguna said he is unable to join the movement due to ill health but he supports the farmers' movement and their demands. He further said that the government should resolve this crisis peacefully by considering the demands of the farmers.
12:53 December 18
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy along with Members of United Progressive Alliance, the leaders of the Congress party, CPI, CPI(M), MDMK, DMK and other parties embark on one-day hunger strike in support of farmers.
11:01 December 18
Protesting farmers to install more tents at Singhu border
New Delhi: Protesting farmers at the Singhu border are making arrangements to install waterproof tents to protect them from the cold weather.
"We are preparing ourselves for a longer stay as our fight against black laws will continue. It is getting colder, so we are putting more tents," said a protester.
"PM should talk to the farmers and take back the farm laws. We will not give up our fight against these laws," said Dayal Singh, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab.
While the protesters including women, children and senior citizens remain at the Singhu border amid chilly weather, they have started facing difficulties as the national capital's temperature dips down. Preparations are underway for setting up a long tent here to protect the protesters from the cold weather conditions.
"This agitation will go on for long, we have women, children and senior citizens with us, so we are preparing a long tent to save them from this cold weather," said Salwinder Singh, farmers' leader.
10:06 December 18
DMK, allies begin hunger strike in support of protesting farmers
Chennai: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) -led opposition in Tamil Nadu on Friday embarked on a day-long hunger strike in support of protesting farmers.
On Friday, DMK chief and Leader of Opposition, M K Stalin, party M P Kanimozhi and leaders of alliance parties participated in the protest here.
09:19 December 18
The Central Government said that those protesting against the farm laws are anti-nationals. We condemn it. We stand in support of the farmers: D M K President M K Stalin in Chennai.
07:29 December 18
Farmers' Stir LIVE Updates
Farmer leaders to consult senior lawyers to decide next course of action
New Delhi: Braving the cold weather, farmers continue to protest on the 23rd day against the three new farm laws. Thousands of farmers have been camping at several Delhi border points for the last 22 days.
Farmers' leaders on Thursday had said they will consult senior lawyers, including Colin Gonsalves, Dushyant Dave and Prashant Bhushan, before deciding the next course of action after the Supreme Court said it was thinking of setting up an "impartial and independent" panel of agriculture experts and peasants' unions to resolve the deadlock over the contentious farm laws.
The protesting farmers' leaders welcomed the apex court's move to acknowledge the right of farmers to non-violent protests but asserted that their agitation will continue till a concrete solution is found.
"We will meet senior lawyers Colin Gonsalves, Dushyant Dave, H S Phoolka and Prashant Bhushan on Friday and consult them about what can be done," Abhimanyu Kohar, a leader of the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, told.
He said that the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of around 40 farmers' unions protesting at Delhi's border points, has not received any notice from the Supreme Court, adding that it will comment on the matter only after seeing a copy of the Court's order.
Senior Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Dharampal Malik said a technical team has been formed by the union, adding that the Centre should first make its stance clear on whether it wants to put the contentious farm laws on hold.
Meanwhile, the protesting farmers observed a two-minute silence on Thursday to pay their respects to Sikh preacher Sant Ram Singh, who allegedly committed suicide at the Singhu border on Wednesday.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had acknowledged the right of farmers to non-violent protests and mooted the idea of putting on hold the contentious farm laws to enable negotiations with the agitating farmers, which was opposed by the Centre, who said the agriculturists would not come forward for the talks then.
The apex court made it clear that the issue of farmers' protest and the right of others to move freely would be dealt on priority at the moment and not the validity of the laws.
The top court said it was of the view that the farmers' right to protest should not infringe the fundamental right of others to move freely and supply of essential food. The right to protest does not mean blocking the entire city.
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