News Analysis India

Tag: Delhi farmers protest

  • Outcome of Farm Laws committee is preordained: Agriculture experts

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: While the Supreme Court has asked to set up a four-member committee to end the impasse, experts have said that the outcome of the panel is already preordained. Agriculture economist Davinder Sharma said the decision to form the panel means “going back to square one”.

    ALSO READ | Members of SC panel on agri laws pro-govt, won’t appear before it: Farmer unions

    “The Supreme Court has stayed the laws and set up the committee but the composition of the panel tells us that the outcome is pre-ordained. So we are back to square one,” said Sharma.  Ajay Vir Jakhar, agriculture expert and chairman of the Bharat Krishak Samaj, took to Twitter to express his disappointment. “The SC-appointed members have stated positions which pre-meditate the outcomes of the committee. Lost opportunity,” he wrote.

    Before the SC’s decision, Jakhar had tweeted: “Who will finally be the members of the SC appointed committee and will the mandate of the committee include the authority to recommend repealing of the laws? SC, please don’t lose credibility by choosing the wrong members & wrong mandate.”

    ALSO READ | Farmer leaders welcome SC verdict staying implementation of three agri laws, but say protest to continue

    Farmers’ rights activist Ramandeep Singh Mann said: “The Supreme Court has formed a committee on the farm laws, which has Ashok Gulati in it. He is a known supporter. There is Bhupinder Singh Mann, this is all wrong. We don’t accept them. We will not accept them. We will return only when the laws are repealed.” 

  • Sharad Pawar meets Left leaders to corner Centre during Budget session

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Opposition leaders on Monday discussed the farmers’ agitation and are expected to meet to devise a joint strategy to corner the government on the issue during the upcoming Budget session of Parliament.

    NCP president Sharad Pawar met CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI general secretary D Raja at his residence in the national capital. The meeting comes a day before the SC is to give an order on a case related to the three farm laws and indicated that it may stay the implementation of the contentious Acts, refusing to grant more time to the Centre to explore the possibility of an amicable solution.

    The leaders discussed the order and that they stand by farmers’ demand for the repeal of the laws. Ahead of its countrywide agitation on January 15 in support of agitating farmers, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi also reached out to the Opposition leaders and is likely to reach out to other like-minded parties to plan out a joint strategy to press the demand for the rollback of the legislations. The leaders are expected to meet ahead of the Budget session, starting January-end.

    On Saturday, the Congress had announced that it has decided to organise ‘Kisan Adhikar Divas’ across the country on January 15 and hold protests outside the Raj Bhavans.

    “Now, the Supreme Court has said that the Centre failed to protect the interests of the farmers, let us hope good sense prevails with the government. The government should repeal the laws and the PM should speak to the farmers and offer his apologies,” said Congress general secretary, organisation, KC Venugopal. 

  • Farm Laws: CJI suggests elderly & women protesters to go home

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: All eyes will be on the Supreme Court on Tuesday when it is likely to pronounce orders on various issues related to the new agriculture laws and the farmers’ ongoing protest at Delhi borders and may take a call on setting up of a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India (CJI) to find ways to resolve the impasse. 

    ALSO READ | We don’t want anybody’s blood on our hands, says Supreme Court

    A bench, headed by CJI S A Bobde, which indicated during the hearing that it may pass orders in parts on the issues concerning laws and farmers’ protest, later uploaded the information on the website. The CJI said he had spoken with former CJI P Sathasivam for heading the panel but “since he does not know Hindi, he declined to be part of the panel”.

    Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, who was appearing for protesting farmers, suggested former CJI R M Lodha’s name. The court said it will consider the recommendation.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre told the court that the government has done its best to defuse the situation but the farmers have been non-cooperative during the talks. He even asked the court to pass an order to restrain the protests from disrupting the Republic Day celebrations, referring to a proposed ‘tractor rally’ by farmers on that day. To that, Dave asserted that there will be no tractor rally on Republic Day.

    ALSO READ | Stay on farm law implementation?

    However, when the court said it will record his statement, Dave replied saying he would seek instructions. The CJI asked the lawyers — Dave, Colin Gonsalves, Prashant Bhushan and H S Phoolka representing the protesting farmers — to convince aged people and women participating in the agitation to go back.

    “I want to take a risk. I want you to tell them that the CJI wants them to go back. Try to persuade them. At some time, we might say in the order that old people and women need not be there in the protests,” the CJI said.On the issue of law and order situation, Bobde said it was for the police to deal with the situation and not the court. “Courts cannot restrain peaceful protest,” he said. Citing the Mahatma Gandhi’s satyagraha, the bench said: “We want to ensure no violence or blood bath in the streets. If somebody breaks the law, you take action. The court would not break any violence.”

    Abhay Chautala threatens to quitINLD legislator Abhay Singh Chautala wrote to the Haryana Assembly Speaker on Monday, saying if the Centre doesn’t withdraw the farm laws by January 26, then his letter may be considered as his resignation as an MLA. He slammed the Centre for imposing the “black laws”.

    Shoe polish service for freeIn the spirit of community service, a group of volunteers from the Sisganj Gurudwara in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk are offering to polish shoes of farmers protesting at the Singhu border for free.The sewadars sit on the ground and urge people to offer their ‘jodas’ at a makeshift counter

  • Stay on farm law implementation?

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday indicated that it could stay the implementation of the three contentious farm laws as it came down heavily on the government for insisting on continuing with the laws despite the nearly two-month-long farmers’ protest in and around Delhi’s borders.

    A bench headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde told Attorney General K K Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the government had failed to hold effective negotiations with the protesting farmers, and stressed the need for a court-appointed committee to break the logjam. The bench will pass its order on Tuesday.

    The court blamed the government for framing the laws without enough consultation. “We do not want to repeat the criticism but we do not believe your negotiations are effective. We are attempting to make the atmosphere conducive by keeping the implementation of the laws in abeyance,” the CJI observed while referring to the suicides by farmers to say that it did not want any blood on its hands, and also voiced concern about the possibility of the protests turning violent. “Who is going to take responsibility for

    Farmers during their ongoing agitationover the farm reform laws, at the Singhuborder in Delhi on Monday | PTIbloodshed if this sabre-rattling goes on and results in conflagration?” the bench questioned.

    When Venugopal claimed that the laws were based on the recommendations of various expert committees set up by past governments, including those of the UPA, the CJI cut him short. “It will not help to say that some other government started it. We are not on the merits of the laws,” CJI  Bobde said.To Venugopal’s complaint that the farmers were being stubborn on their demand to repeal the laws, the CJI said they will be heard by the proposed court-appointed committee.

    Referring to the bench’s suggestion to stay the legislations, Venugopal requested it not to take such a drastic decision and to wait for some more time before passing orders. But the CJI was in no mood to relent. “Sorry to say, we have to, because you, as the Union of India, did not take responsibility. You were not able to solve the problem. You should have been able to solve the strike, but you did not,” CJI Bobde said.

    Mehta sought to defend the government when the CJI asked him if the Centre was part of the problem or the solution. The Solicitor General said many organisations had come forward to support the laws as progressive.The bench also made it clear that the protesting farmers would have to move to another site to continue their agitation. 

    Sense of responsibility“We don’t see why there is an insistence on implementation of the laws. It’s our intention to see if we can bring about an amicable resolution. That is why we asked why don’t you put the bills on hold. You want time for negotiation. If there is some sense of responsibility then you will not implement the laws,” the bench said

    Not even one plea in SC saying laws are good, finds benchObserving that there is not a single petition before the Supreme Court saying the farm laws were beneficial, the bench told the Centre, “It will not help you to say that this was started by the last government. We are discussing constitutionality.”

  • Delhi Chalo agitation: SC raises concern over ‘no improvement’ on ground

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed concern over the ongoing farmers’ protest and said there was absolutely no improvement in the situation and slated the hearing of all the petitions challenging the Centre’s new farm laws and the ones raising issues related to the agitation on January 11.

    The bench headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde’s observation came while it took up a petition filed by advocate ML Sharma, who had challenged the constitutional validity of the laws.In his petition, Sharma has alleged that the 1954 Amendment Act of the Constitution, which had included Agriculture in the Concurrent List of the Constitution, was passed improperly.

    He has argued that the inclusion of agriculture in the Concurrent list was unconstitutional. Initially, the bench indicated that all the pending matters related to the legal challenge to farm laws, as well as the ongoing protest, will be taken up in the court on January 8. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Attorney General KK Venugopal objected to this.

    children of protesters study at a makeshift classroom at the Singhu border.The ongoing protest entered its 42nd day | Shekhar Yadav 

    Venugopal told the court that there is a good chance that parties may come to some conclusion soon, as another round of talks is scheduled for Friday. Mehta argued that since healthy talks are going on between farmers and Centre, it would not be advisable to take up the matters immediately. Adding to this, the A-G argued that filing of response in the court by the Centre could foreclose avenues of negotiations underway between farmers and Centre.

    The bench then said it will like to take up the petitions challenging the farm laws on Monday. At least six petitions challenging the constitutional and legal validity of the three agri laws are pending before the apex court. Besides, two PILs have been filed seeking removal of the protesting farmers from the Delhi borders.

    No invite to ‘anti-farmer’ Modi: Gurdwara CommitteeOwing to his ‘anti-farmer’ stand, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided not to send special invite to PM Narendra Modi for the Sikh centenary events. Normally, the SGPC — the highest Sikh religious body — extends special invites to the PM and the President on historical occasions. “We have decided not to extend any special invitation to PM Modi for the upcoming centenary events, including the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur,” SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur said.

    ‘Unions must understand sentiments behind reforms’Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday urged protesting unions to understand the sentiments behind reforms brought through the farm laws. He also expressed confidence that the unions will focus on farmers’ interests and help the government reach a solution through constructive dialogue. The government is committed towards the farmers and their interests, he asserted. The next round of talks is scheduled for January 8.

  • Farmers to take out ‘tractor rally’ today as R-Day rehearsal

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: Farmers’ unions on Wednesday said they will hold a march with 4,000-5,000 tractors on the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways on Thursday as a “rehearsal” for January 26, even as the Haryana Police placed barricades at four locations on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway to stop protesters from entering the national capital, resulting in blockages on the national highway.

    These four key locations include Kapdiwas Chowk in Gurugram, Masani barrage in Dharuhera, Sangwari village in Rewari and Jaisinghpur Khera (Haryana-Rajasthan border) on the Delhi-Jaipur national highway. Sources said the farmer leaders were finalising the plans for the Thursday’s ‘tractor-trolley march’ as the traffic movement on the expressways would be blocked between 11 am and 4 pm.

    ALSO READ | Wisconsin Speaker supports farmers’ protests; writes to Indian, US envoys

    “The tractors will start the march from all the directions of Kundli and Tikri borders on the eastern side, and Rewasan and Ghazipur from the western side,’’ said Omkar Singh, general secretary of the BKU (Rajewal Group).

    With the NH-48 already blocked, heavy traffic movement is being seen on the alternative routes, like Pataudi Road and Kapdiwas Chowk in Gurugram, Bhiwadi in Rajasthan and Masani barrage in Rewari.SP Rewari Abhishek Jorwal said forces have been in Dharuhera and other protesting sites following Sunday’s clash between a group of farmers and the police.

  • Farmers gear up for R-Day showdown, to hold ‘rehearsal’ tractor rally on Thursday

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: A day after the seventh round of talks between the Centre and farmer union leaders over the three contentious farm laws ended in a deadlock, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha on Tuesday said it would take out a tractor rally on January 7, day before the next meeting.  

    The tractor march would he held on eastern and western expressways around Delhi, said Yogendra Yadav, a member of the coordination committee of the morcha, an umbrella body of over 40 farm unions. “It will be a rehearsal for our tractor march on January 26. Farmers from Kundli, Ghazipur and Rewasan will climb atop both expressways from their respective sides. After meeting at midway point, they will return to their respective positions.

    We will approach from Kundli and Tikri borders on the eastern side, will march from Rewasan and Ghazipur,” Yadav added.  

    Meanwhile, Punjab BJP leaders Surjit Kumar Jyani and and Harjit Singh Grewal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in Delhi. Jyani is the chairman of kisan coordination committee of the party which is interacting with farmers while Grewal is a member of the panel. After the meeting, Grewal said the PM is aware of the ground reality but refused to divulge more details.

  • Firm on their demands, farmers brave cold, rains as talks with govt remain deadlocked 

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Camping at Delhi borders for over a month now, protesting farmers seem undeterred in the face of severe cold, rains and waterlogging, and firm on their demands for repeal of farm laws and legal backing for MSP even as talks with the government remained inconclusive.

    On Monday, the seventh round of talks were held to resolve the deadlock.

    The unions stuck to their demand for a complete repeal of the new farm laws they find pro-corporate, while the government wanted to discuss only “problematic” clauses or other alternatives.

    The two sides will meet again on January 8.

    Speaking to reporters after the meet, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said he expected positive talks and a possible resolution in the next meeting, but asserted that “efforts need to be made from both sides for a solution”.

    ALSO READ | Rajasthan CM Gehlot questions long breaks between each meeting

    The protesting farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been at the border points of the national capital for almost 40 days now, braving the bone-chilling cold weather in the region.

    Sporadic rains have also lashed the city in the last couple of days, following which the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) arranged makeshift elevated beds in a tent provided by the organisation at the demonstration site near Singhu border.

    The tent, located right beyond the main stage at the site, is pitched on the lower end of the highway, making it susceptible to waterlogging.

    Since the farmers arrived at the national capital’s borders in late November, the Delhi Traffic Police has been posting alerts on its official Twitter handle to inform commuters about road closures across the city.

    In a series of tweets on Tuesday, the traffic police said Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Saboli and Mangesh borders are closed for traffic movement.

    “Please take alternate route via Lampur Safiabad, Palla & Singhu school toll tax borders. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba & GTK road. Please avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road & NH-44,” it said.

    “The Chilla and Ghazipur borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida & Ghaziabad to Delhi because of farmer protests. Please take alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Bhopra & Loni Borders,” it added.

    The traffic police said Tikri and Dhansa borders are also closed for traffic movement.

    “Jhatikara Border is open only for LMV (Cars/Light Motor Vehicles), two wheelers and pedestrian movement,” it said in another tweet.

    According to the traffic police, people travelling to Haryana can take the routes via Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders.

  • Farmers protest: Talks fail again on repeal pitch, next meet on Friday

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: The seventh round of talks between the Centre and farmers ended in a stalemate on Monday as both sides stuck to their positions on the issue of repeal of the three contentious farm laws. While the two sides agreed to meet again on Friday, the farmers said they would hold a meeting on Tuesday to discuss ways to intensify their protest. 

    Sources said the talks began with the government categorically stating the laws cannot be repealed but amendments can be made, if needed. The unions rejected this saying their demand of repeal of the farm laws is non-negotiable. 

    The government, then, attempted to hold discussions on the MSP, but the protesters would have none of it as they insisted the government must first address their demand to repeal the objectionable laws.The bitterness continued during the lunch that followed, with the farmers refusing to break bread with the ministers. “You eat your food, we will eat ours,” sources quoted the union leaders as saying. 

    This is in a sharp contrast to the camaraderie displayed on December 30, when agriculture minister Narendra Tomar and commerce minister Piyush Goyal shared the food brought by the farmers. “The government repeated everything and asked us for a point-wise discussion. Our demand is that there can no negotiations on repealing the new laws,” farm leader Harmeet Kadiyan said. “The government claimed many farm organizations were supporting the laws while we mentioned that an RTI has revealed the laws were passed without discussion with any farmer organization. We will go ahead with our programmes scheduled between January 6 and 20,” he added.

    Sources said it was Minister of State for Industries Som Parkash who convinced the farm union leaders to agree to meet again on January 8. After the meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, “The fact that the farmers are talking to us shows that they trust the government. We are hopeful all issues would be resolved after the next meeting.” 

    Harinder Singh Lakhowal of BKU Punjab said the only agenda for the January 8 meeting is the repeal of laws.  Hannan Mollah of All India Kisan Sabha said, “The agitation will not be withdrawn until laws are repealed.” 

  • 60 ryots lost their lives during protest against farm laws, claims Bharatiya Kisan Union

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: A total of 60 farmers have lost their lives during the ongoing farmers’ protest against the new farm laws so far, claimed Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson, Rakesh Tikait on Monday.

    He further said that one farmer is dying every 16 hours and it is the responsibility of the government to give an answer.

    He made the statements ahead of the eighth-round of talks with the Central government over the issue. The meeting between the farmer unions and the Central government is scheduled to take place today afternoon.

    So far, several rounds of talks have been held between the Central government and the unions.

    Meanwhile, despite rains and the ongoing cold wave across North India, farmers agitating against the Centre’s farm laws stood strong at the borders of the national capital and continued their protest.

    Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital for over a month against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.