News Analysis India

Tag: Agri Laws

  • Farmers’ protest against three agri laws completes 300 days

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: As the ongoing farmers’ protest against three contentious agriculture laws of the Centre completed 300 days on Wednesday, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) said the movement is a testimony to the will and determination of lakhs of farmers across the country that would only grow stronger.

    “It has been 300 days since lakhs of farmers were forced to stay put at Delhi’s borders. The protesting farmers have been peacefully communicating their resistance against a corporate takeover of India’s food and farming systems.

    “Their demands are clear and known to the (Narendra) Modi government, which has been obstinately choosing not to agree to these legitimate demands of farmers, even though farmers constitute the largest set of workers in the country and even though elections in our democracy are won through votes cast mainly by farmers,” a statement issued by the SKM said.

    “The Samyukt Kisan Morcha states that this historic movement stands as a testimony to the will, resolve and hope of lakhs of farmers across the country. The SKM also vows to strengthen the movement, going forward, and make it more widespread,” it added.

    Meanwhile, preparations for the “Bharat bandh” called by the SKM on September 27 are in full swing.

    “Various sections of the society are being reached out to by farmers’ outfits in different parts of the country to get their support and solidarity to the farmers’ cause, which is also becoming a movement to protect India’s democracy,” the SKM said.

    According to the statement, workers’ unions, trade unions, employees’ and students’ unions, women’s organisations, transporters’ associations, in addition to the joint planning meetings of many farmers’ organisations, are being roped in for the planning of the “bandh”.

    Kisan mahapanchayats are also being organised to get more citizens to rally around the “bandh” call.

    Cycle and motorcycle rallies are also being organised, the SKM said.

  • Punjab polls: Samyukt Kisan Morcha warns parties against early campaigning

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH:  The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Friday told all political parties that early campaigning for the upcoming Assembly election in Punjab would be considered anti-farmer, as it could divert the attention from their agitation. The farmer fiat came during a meeting with the representatives of all the parties, except the BJP. While most parties agreed, the SAD and the Congress said they would get back to the SKM after discussing the issue with their leaders. 

    After one-on-one meeting with the representatives of all the political parties here, farmers’ leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal and Harinder Singh Lakhowal said: “There is lot of time for electioneering. So, now stop the campaigning and wait till the dates are declared by the Election Commission of India, after which you can campaign.”

    Issuing the fiat, Lakhowal said: “They can attend social functions in villages, but no political function or rally is allowed. The government can organise small functions to distribute cheques for developmental works with a ceiling of 50-100 in attendance, but no big gathering.”

    Stating that the parties should withdraw cases against farmers wherever they are in power, the SKM also put forth a charter of demands, which included bar on seeking land records for direct benefit transfer, sending MPs and MLAs to Delhi to stage protests, among others.

    During the discussions, the SAD representative urged the SKM to retain the national character of the farmers’ agitation by not imposing any restrictions on political activities in Punjab, even as it offered all help to buttress the ongoing agitation on the borders of Delhi.

    Senior SAD leaders Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra and Maheshinder Singh Grewal said: “A conspiracy has been hatched by the Centre to restrict the Kisan movement to Punjab and then suppress it.”

  • Anil Ghanwat interview: ‘Supreme Court should make our report on farm laws public’

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Anil Ghanwat, farmer leader and one of the members of the Supreme Court-constituted committee to study the Central farm laws, says it has been five months since the report was submitted but the top court is silent. Excerpts from the interview:

    What should the government do to end the farmers’ agitation?The Supreme Court constituted a committee of experts and farmer leaders to study the agri laws and submit a comprehensive report that can end the deadlock between the farmers and government. we humbly requested the Supreme Court that the report should be made public so that the farmers and the government will get a clear picture and that may help to end this impasse.

    So, the report will bring a solution and end the deadlock between the farmers and government?We are not claiming our report is 100 per cent right and it should be accepted in totality. 

    What should the Supreme Court do now? The Supreme Court should make our report public. If they were not serious, then why did they constitute the committee in the first place? Why did we toil to prepare the report? Then, questions arise whether it was just a ‘drama’ to set up the committee, ask it to prepare the report and then put it in cold storage?

    What is your view about the Kisan Mahapanchayat at Muzaffarnagar in UP?It is a good thing that the farmers have been continuously protesting to repeal the farm laws. If the’ movement takes a political turn, then it will lose steam. 

  • RSS-affiliate farmers’ body to stage nationwide dharna against agri laws on September 8

    By PTI

    BALLIA: RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has decided to hold a nationwide dharna on September 8 as the Centre has failed to act on its “ultimatum” on considering demands regarding three new farm laws and MSP by August 31.

    The minimum support price (MSP) of crops should be decided on the basis of cost and a new law should be formulated, keeping in mind the concerns raised by the farmers to resolve the dispute arising out of the new farm laws, the BKS said.

    “For these demands, a nationwide symbolic dharna will be organised on September 8. The (Narendra) Modi government was given time till August 31 to act on the demands. As there are no positive indications from the government, we will be holding the dharna on September 8,” BKS treasurer Yugal Kishore Mishra told reporters here on Wednesday.

    He said press conferences will be held on the day at all district headquarters to tell people about the plight of the farmers.

    “We will decide the future course of action after September 8,” he added.

    “Farmers do not get a remunerative price for their produce. The MSP is not remunerative,” Mishra said.

  • Farm laws to benefit BJP’s billionaire friends: Priyanka Gandhi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday alleged that the three farm laws were framed to benefit the BJP’s billionaire friends.

    Citing a report on Adani reducing apple procurement rates in Himachal Pradesh by Rs 16 which has led to a distress in the markets, she alleged this would happen if the right to decide rates of farmer’s produce is given to “billionaire friends” of the ruling party.

    “Why are the farmers opposing the three ‘black’ farm laws? Because if the right to decide the price and other things for crops grown by the hard work of farmers is given to BJP’s billionaire friends, then this will happen,” the Congress leader said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “The black agriculture laws are for the benefit of BJP’s billionaire friends,” she added.

    The Congress has been supporting the farmers’ agitation against the three new farm laws and demanding their withdrawal.

  • Preparation for national farmers’ convention in full swing: Samyukt Kisan Morcha

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Tuesday said the preparation for an all-India convention of farmers is in full swing and it is receiving an enthusiastic response from across the country.

    The SKM, an umbrella body of 40 farmer unions leading the agitation against the Centre’s contentious agricultural laws, had announced on Monday that it would hold the national convention on August 26-27 to mark the completion of nine months of the farmers’ protest.

    The preparation for the all-India convention of farmers is in full swing, the SKM said in a statement.

    “…enthusiastic response is being received from all over India. The national convention will see the presence of delegates from all states and union territories of India,” it said.

    The future course of action of the farmers’ agitation will be jointly decided at the convention, it added.

    The SKM said, “The central government has always tried to pretend that this historic farmers’ movement is limited to a few states, overlooking the fact that farmers all over the country are struggling to stay afloat.”

    Thousands of farmers from across the country, particularly Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at Delhi borders, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, since November last year to demand the repeal of the three farm laws and a new law to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.

    Farmers claim that these laws — the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 — will do away with the MSP, leaving them at the mercy of big corporations.

    The government maintains that these laws are pro-farmer.

    Over 10 rounds of talks between the government and farmer leaders have failed to break the deadlock between the two sides.

  • People protesting farm laws attack BJP MLA Umesh Malik in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar

    By PTI

    MUZAFFARNAGAR: People protesting the Centre’s farm laws allegedly attacked BJP’s Budhana MLA Umesh Malik, pelting his car with stones and smearing it with black ink at Sisauli village here on Saturday.

    A video of the incident has surfaced on social media.

    In another purported video, the MLA is seen telling that the attackers had affiliation to the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU).

    Incidentally, Sisauli is the village of BKU leader Rakesh Tikait and the headquarter of the farmers’ body.

    Police said the incident took place when the MLA reached the village for a programme.

    Police rescued the MLA, they said.

    After the incident, BJP supporters gathered at the local police station, demanding action against the culprits.

    Union minister Sanjeev Balyan also reached the police station after the incident.

    Farmers have been protesting against the Centre’s farm laws for the past over eight months.

    A large number of them are protesting at Delhi borders, demanding the repeal of the laws, which have been dubbed as pro-farmer by the Union government.

  • False cases won’t deter farmers from protesting farm laws: BKU leader Rakesh Tikait

    By PTI

    KURUKSHETRA: BKU leader Rakesh Tikait on Thursday accused the Haryana government of slapping false cases against farmers and said it won’t deter them from protesting the Centre’s farm laws.

    Maintaining that their stir will continue till the laws are repealed, he warned the state government “not to interfere” in their peaceful agitation.

    “The ruling dispensation in Haryana is trying to appease its political masters by arresting agitating farmers and slapping false cases against them,” he alleged.

    It won’t deter them from holding the protest and their agitation against the laws will continue till the legislations are repealed, Tikait told reporters.

    Replying to a question, he said farmers are united and fighting a long battle with the central government, which is “pro-corporate”.

    “The central government refuses to listen to anyone and whosoever tries to speak against their injustice is branded as anti-national,” he said.

    To another question, Tikait said farmers are sure of their victory and will force the Centre to repeal the farm laws.

    In reply to another question about any campaign against the BJP in next year’s Vidhan Sabha elections in Punjab and UP, Tikait said farmers are mature enough and know everything.

    “They will react and act accordingly, and unitedly during the elections,” he said.

    On Haryana BKU leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni’s earlier suggestion that outfits from Punjab involved in the stir should contest the 2022 assembly polls, Tikait said it could be his own opinion and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha has nothing to do with it.

    He, however, said that Chaduni is part of the Morcha and all are unitedly spearheading the agitation.

    Tikait was here to address a gathering of farmers at Jat Dharamshala to invite them in large numbers to participate in a “Kisan Mahapanchayat” to be held at Muzaffarnagar in UP on September 5.

  • Have no regrets, ready to face any action for farmers’ cause: Pratap Singh Bajwa after Rajya Sabha ruckus

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday said he has no regrets about creating ruckus in Rajya Sabha and is ready to face any action for raising his voice against the farm laws.

    Bajwa was seen throwing an official file at the Chair after climbing the table occupied by officials during the protest by opposition members when the House was to commence a discussion on farmers’ issues.

    “I have no regrets. I will do this 100 times again if the government does not give us an opportunity to discuss the three black anti-agriculture laws,” he told PTI.

    “I will be happy if the government punishes me for highlighting the cause of farmers and seeking the repeal of anti-farmer laws. Being the son of a farmer, I stand by the farmers and their cause,” he said.

    Bajwa said they had “no other option” as the government was disallowing their notice seeking a discussion on the repeal of the three farm laws.

    He said he has not committed any crime by raising farmers’ concerns and has no regrets.

    The government, on its part, has accused the opposition members of lowering the dignity of the House with their unruly conduct.

    The MP from Punjab said the government was behaving like the British, “who had to bow before the farmers during the pre-independent times”.

    “The government will have to take these farm laws back one day as we will continue to fight for the farmers,” he said, adding that the laws were akin to signing the “death warrants of farmers”.

    Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the pandemonium in Rajya Sabha was a “direct consequence of the mischievous strategy” of the Modi Government to “divide” the Opposition and its refusal to discuss the repeal of the three farm laws.

    TMC member Derek O’Brien shared a video of the opposition ruckus when the discussion on the farmers’ problems was being taken up in the upper house after lunch.

    He also alleged that the government was running away from repealing the farm laws.

    Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, however, said the “undemocratic behaviour” of Congress, TMC and AAP proves that there is nothing wrong with the new farm laws and the problem lies in their perception.

    He said if the Opposition members were concerned about farmers and agriculture, they would have participated in the discussion and put forth their viewpoints instead of protesting.

  • Punjab CM Amarinder Singh raises farm laws issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday met Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to repeal the three farm laws, citing social, economic and security implications of a prolonged farmers’ agitation.

    He also sought 25 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and anti-drone gadgets for the Border Security Force (BSF) for protection from Pakistan-backed terror forces as Punjab is a border state and cited possible targeting of Hindu temples, prominent farmer leaders, RSS offices, RSS-BJP leaders among others, according to a statement by his office.

    The chief minister said during the meeting that the farm laws have caused great resentment amongst farmers from Punjab and other states and they must be repealed.

    He expressed concern over the fear of inimical powers from across the border trying to exploit the resentment and disgruntlement against the government and sought an expeditious solution to the farmers’ concerns.

    The chief minister said protests have been going on in Punjab ever since the central government issued the ordinances in June 2020.

    “While these protests have so far been largely peaceful, one can sense rising tempers, especially as the state moves towards elections in early 2022,” the chief minister said.

    The prolonged agitation is not only impacting economic activities in Punjab but also has the potential to affect its social fabric, especially when political parties and groups take strong positions, he added.

    The chief minister told Shah that the security situation was grave and needed the Centre’s immediate intervention, as he cited the recent heavy influx of weapons, hand-grenades and IEDs into the state, with Pakistan’s ISI also raising the ante ahead of the Independence Day and in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly polls.

    Singh asked the Union Home Minister for CAPF deployment in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala, Bathinda, Phagwara and Moga, as well as anti-drone technology for the BSF deployed at the borders.

    He pointed to the “potent threat” to the security of vital infrastructure/installations and public meetings/events being attended by “highly threatened” individuals, an official statement from Punjab government said.

    Referring to inputs from central and state agencies, corroborated by disclosures made by arrested terrorists, Amarinder Singh said potential individual and mass indiscriminate targets include trains, buses and Hindu temples, prominent farmer leaders, RSS Shakhas/Offices, RSS/BJP/Shiv Sena leaders based in Punjab, Deras, Nirankari Bhawans and Samagams.

    He cited specific inputs about five farmer leaders and that they had refused to take security offered by Punjab and Haryana police.

    The chief minister apprised Shah about the recent efforts by Pakistan’s ISI and the country’s establishment to push large quantities of weapons, hand-grenades, RDX explosive, detonators, timer devices, sophisticated laboratory made tiffin bombs into Punjab for carrying out terrorist acts.

    “With the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for February-March 2022, many militant and radical operatives are being pressured by the ISI to carry out terrorist actions.

    These are very serious and worrisome developments having huge security implications for the border state and its people,” the CM warned.

    Amarinder Singh also flagged the urgent need to compensate farmers for the management of paddy straw at Rs 100 per quintal and to address the growing fear of shortage of DAP (Diammonium phosphate), which would further aggravate the problems of farmers.

    He urged Shah to immediately advise the officials of the fertilizers department for enhanced allocation of DAP stocks to Punjab as per the revised demand by the state and to further direct the suppliers to ensure that adequate stocks are given as per schedule.