News Analysis India

Tag: Farmers Protest

  • No ‘Chakka Jam’ in UP, farmers’ leaders hand over memorandum to DMs

    Express News Service
    LUCKNOW: The farmers in Uttar Pradesh did not participate in the ‘Chakka Jam’ on Saturday following the appeal by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Singh Tikait.

    However, Tikait had made it clear the members of BKU and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) would hand over the memorandum of their demands to respective district magistrates in UP.

    UP police and administration were all prepared to face any eventuality. The police administration had deployed around 144 PAC companies, six paramilitary companies, along with senior officers, at the state and national highways. All the activities were being recorded in the wake of the ‘Chakka Jam’ call by the farmer unions, said Prashant Kumar, Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order in Uttar Pradesh.

    ALSO READ | 50 detained in Delhi for staging protest in support of farmers’ ‘Chakka jam’

    “Besides, there is foot patrolling, drones, and everything is being recorded,” said Kumar.

    “We have been maintaining security since the farmers’ protest began,” Kumar further said, adding that the police department was getting support from farmer organisations and with their cooperation and efforts of the department no untoward incident has happened so far in UP.

    Farmers’ unions announced a countrywide ‘Chakka Jam’ from 12 noon to 3 pm on Saturday as part of the ongoing protest. The farmers have been protesting at different borders in Delhi since November 26 last year against the three newly enacted farm laws: 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.

    In some of the western UP districts including Agra, a number of farmers’ leaders were put under house arrest following the reports of vandalism and unrest during the stir. Later, the protest ended when the joint delegation of BKU and SKM submitted a memorandum of demands addressed to the President of India to the district magistrate.

  • Congress blames Bihar govt for poor condition of cultivators, says will launch farmers’ stir soon

    By PTI
    PATNA: The Congress in Bihar on Saturday blamed the NDA government in the state for deplorable condition of farmers due to low procurement of paddy and wheat besides denying them fair price for their produce.

    Bihar Congress in-charge and former union minister Bhakta Charan Das, who undertook padyatara in 14 districts and met party workers and common men, asserted that the party would launch a big farmers movement in the state in days to come to tell them about the ill impact of the new farm laws.

    The Nitish Kumar government, which had abolished the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act way back in 2006 and also ended the mandi system, has strongly backed the new agri legislations of the centre.

    “Farmners are neither getting fair price for their crops nor their produce are being procured adequatelythe state government could lift only one per cent of wheat in the state.

    “There is no takers of maizethe state governments own target is to procure only 30-40 per cent of paddy from the farmers,while the Chhattisgarh govt has procured 90 per cent and other state governments procurement target is 70-80 per cent, Das told reporters.

    He,however,did not cite any source in support of the data he was highlighting.

    Congress which is a part of the RJD-led Grand Alliance in Bihar, performed badly in the recently concluded state polls and the new party in-charge battling anger of sections of party workers over ticket distribution is trying to recharge the organisation by raking up farmers issue.

    Das said MSP of sugarcane has not been revised in Bihar for the past four years.

    “Farmers are getting Rs 310 per quintal for sugarcane as its support price has not been increased in the past four years by the state government. When the input cost is rising, why there MSP cant be hiked?” he asked.

    The sugarmills have been closed in the state and the government did not take any initiative to revive them, he added.

    Das was accompanied by Bihar Congress chief Madan Mohan Jha, Congress legislature party leader Ajeet Sharma, former Bihar Congress chief Anil Sharma, MLC Prem Chandra Mishra, senior party leaders Harkhu Jha, H K Verma, Rajesh Rathore and others at the press meet here.

    The former union minister said 5000 food processing units could have come up had the state government taken proper steps.

    The Congress leader said that the central government should withdraw the three farm laws as doing so will not lower its dignity at all.

    Asked why farmers in Bihar have not come out on roads to protest against the three farm laws,Das said that cultivators in the state are not aware of their rights, and the party will create awareness among them.

    On violence in the Red Fort on Republic Day, Das mockingly said, If the government is so weak that it cannot protect the Red Fort, then what it is the meaning of claiming to have 56 inch chest.”

  • RSS leader targets Union Minister Tomar over farmers’ stir against agri laws

    By PTI
    BHOPAL: In an apparent attack on Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar over the farmers’ protest against three farm laws, senior RSS leader Raghunandan Sharma has said the arrogance of power has gone to his head.

    Sharma, a former BJP Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh, in his Facebook post written two days back, also suggested to the minister that he should work towards strengthening nationalism.

    In his social media post that starts with the line, “Narendraji, you are part and parcel of the government”, Sharma said, “Your intention might be of helping the farmers, but if some people don’t want to be helped, what is the use of doing such good?,” “If someone wants to remain naked, what is the use of forcibly clothing him,” he said.

    “If you are harbouring a thought that you are reaping the fruits of your hard labour, it is your illusion,” the 73- year-old RSS leader said in the post.

    “…..Today arrogance of power has gone to your head. Why are you losing the mandate? We are endorsing all rotten policies of the Congress which is not in our interest.

    Leakage in drops of water from a pitcher empties it. So is with the mandate,” he said.

    “Employ all might to strengthen nationalism or else we have to regret. I think you might have read the indication to preserve the ideology,” he added.

    Sharma described how the (RSS’s) ideology developed with toil, sacrifice and devotion over a century for expanding its footprints, propagating service to the motherland, putting nationalism first and leading to the installation of a nationalist government at the Centre.

    “Thousands of nationalists have devoted their lives for today’s nationalist government,” he said.

  • Natonwide ‘chakka jam’ begins across states; farmers in Punjab, Haryana block roads

    By Agencies
    Farmers protesting against the Centre’s new agri laws and other issues blocked roads at several places in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday on the call given by the farmers’ unions for a nationwide ‘chakka jam’.

    Farmers’ unions had on Monday announced a countrywide ‘chakka jam’ from 12 noon to 3 pm on February 6 when they would block national and state highways in protest against the Internet ban in areas near their agitation sites, harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities, and other issues.

    The police have stepped up security and made all arrangements for traffic diversion, said officials, adding adequate police personnel were deployed in Punjab and Haryana.

    NH-16 near Hanspal square in #Bhubaneswar being blocked by Navanirman Krushak Sangathan during #chakkajam called by farmers’ union ⁦@NewIndianXpress⁩ pic.twitter.com/32ZaA2HkI2
    — TNIE Odisha (@XpressOdisha) February 6, 2021

    Protesting farmers owing allegiance to different farmers’ bodies blocked state and national highways at several places on Saturday, causing inconvenience to commuters.

    Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said they are holding road blockades at 33 places in 15 districts including Sangrur, Barnala and Bathinda in Punjab.

    In the morning, farmers started assembling at their earmarked protest sites for ‘chakka jam’ in both the states.

    “Elders and youth have gathered here to participate in chakka jam. It will be peaceful,” said a protester at the Punjab-Haryana border in Shambhu near Ambala.

    Opposition enforcing the chakka-jam now against the New Farm Bills in Bihar. The Chakka-jam has crippled the vehicular movements.@NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard
    — Rajesh K Thakur (@hajipurrajesh) February 6, 2021

    “We want that the government should repeal these three laws as they are not in the interest of the farming community,” said another protester.

    Protesting farmers said emergency vehicles including ambulances and school buses will be allowed during the ‘chakka jam’.

    Thousands of farmers have been protesting since late November at Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, demanding a rollback of 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.

    The Chakka Jam protest is peaceful at Ghazipur border.⁦@NewIndianXpress⁩ pic.twitter.com/oYYhdYS2Z9
    — siddhanta mishra (@siddmh_TNIE) February 6, 2021

    The protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving them at the “mercy” of big corporations.

    However, the government has maintained that the new laws will bring better opportunities to farmers and introduce new technologies in agriculture.

  • Rejected politicians, bogus Bharat bashing brigade defaming India: Union Minister Naqvi

    By PTI
    KANPUR: Senior BJP leader and Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday said “rejected politicians” and the “bogus Bharat bashing brigade” are involved in a criminal conspiracy to defame the country.

    Speaking to reporters here, Naqvi said, “Such criminal syndicate of misinformation and Bharat bashing has always been defeated by the commitment of the people of India.” “Such people created a ruckus on the so-called intolerance in the country, raised questions on surgical strike on Pakistan, created confusion over CAA, and opposed steps taken for the well-being of people during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Naqvi said.

    Now, the ‘gumrahi’ (misleading) gang has hijacked the farmers’ agitation and doing politics over it, he said, adding that some people in the country still have “feudal arrogance”.

    In a statement, Naqvi said the people of the country, while rejecting all criminal conspiracies and political hypocrisies of some vested interests, have expressed trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    People gave a massive mandate to the BJP-led NDA in 2014 and again in 2019.

    The masses have supported the policies of the prime minister by giving “tremendous support” to the BJP in assembly, panchayat and local bodies elections in different states and union territories, he said.

    “On one hand, the Bharat bashing brigade raised false and fake propaganda of so-called insecurity among minorities, on the other hand PM Modi worked tirelessly to make all sections of society including minorities an equal partner of mainstream development,” he said.

    “Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to ‘sabka sath, sabka vikas’ has always exposed these characters.

    The entire world is admiring Modi’s commitment towards inclusive development,” he added.

    Naqvi said, “When our security forces destroyed terrorist camps by conducting a surgical strike, then some people outside the country and leaders of the grand old party, demanded proof.

    It was an amazing ‘jugalbandi’.”

    The Union minister said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides citizenship to persecuted minorities from three countries, but some people deliberately created confusion by linking the Act with the citizenship of Muslims of India.

    These people with narrow political self-interests tried to “hide the mountain of truth with bushes of lies”, he said.

    Naqvi said the Union Budget 2021-22 is a gazette of the glorious journey of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and will ensure development with dignity of all sections of the society.

    The budget fulfils the expectations and aspirations of all sections — poor, farmers, youth, senior citizens, women, labourers, and small traders, he said.

    It will bring revolutionary reforms in the country’s health infrastructure, MSMEs, and education and research sectors which will help generate ample employment opportunities.

    Naqvi also discussed the budget with different sections including intellectuals, businessmen, traders, and entrepreneurs, the statement said.

  • Had existing farm laws been beneficial, many farmers would not have died by suicide: BJP leader

    Kamal Soi said he had difference of opinions with the agitating farmers but he went to the Singhu border in December and distributed 500 jackets and other items to them on humanitarian grounds.

  • Hollywood veteran Susan Sarandon joins list of international celebs in supporting Indian farmers’ stir

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Veteran actor Susan Sarandon on Saturday extended her support to the ongoing farmers agitation and said she stands in solidarity with the protesters.

    The “Thelma & Louise” star is the latest international celebrity to back the protest, after a tweet by pop star Rihanna triggered a wave of support for the protesting farmers by a number of global personalities, activists and politicians.

    The 74-year-old actor took to Twitter and shared a news report by The New York Times, headlined, “Why Are Farmers Protesting in India?” “Standing in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India. Read about who they are and why they’re protesting below,” Sarandon wrote.

    Standing in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India. Read about who they are and why they’re protesting below. https://t.co/yWtEkqQynF
    — Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) February 5, 2021

    Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, Meena Harris, an American lawyer and niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris, actor Amanda Cerni, singers Jay Sean, Dr Zeus and former adult star Mia Khalifa have also supported the protesting farmers.

    ALSO READ | Greta Thunberg shares toolkit for ‘on-ground’ assistance of protesting Indian farmers

    The government had criticised the tweets by Rihanna and other celebrities, saying facts must be ascertained before people rushing to comment on the issue, calling it “neither accurate nor responsible”.

    Tens of thousands of farmers have been protesting at three border points on the outskirts of Delhi demanding a complete repeal of the three farm laws.

  • Farmers ‘chakka jam’: Drone cameras deployed at Tikri to monitor situation 

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Drone cameras were deployed at Tikri border on Saturday to monitor the law and order situation in the wake of ‘chakka jam’ call by the farmer unions who were protesting against the farm laws for over two months at the national capital’s border.

    Farmers on Monday announced a countrywide ‘chakka jam’ on February 6. Due to that heavy police personnel deployed across Delhi-NCR including Shahjahanpur (Delhi-Rajasthan) border.

    READ HERE | Chakka jam today outside Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand

    Around 50,000 personnel of Delhi Police, Paramilitary and Reserve Forces deployed in Delhi-NCR region to maintain law and order situation here. At least 12 metro stations have also been put on alert, police said.

    “Around 50,000 personnel of Police, Paramilitary and Reserve Forces deployed in Delhi-NCR region. At least 12 metro stations in the national capital have been put on alert for closing the entry and exit, in view of any disturbance,” Delhi Police said.

    Meanwhile, security across Delhi tightened today with the deployment of extra forces, putting up multi-layered barricades and barbed wires on the roads ahead of the proposed ‘chakka jam’ by farmer unions.

    Heavy deployment of police personnel seen at Red Fort, as a preventive measure to dispel actions resulting from the calls for ‘chakka jam.’

    READ HERE | Government’s responsibility to ensure peace during ‘Chakka Jaam’: Farmer leader 

    Police along with the barricading measures at the Minto Bridge area deployed. The area has been blockaded as a peremptory counter-measure to thwart the calls. Barbed wires placed over police barricades seen in Delhi’s ITO area.

    Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three newly enacted farm laws: 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. 

  • Government’s responsibility to ensure peace during ‘Chakka Jaam’: Farmer leader 

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Kisan Andolan Committee (KAC) leader Jagtar Singh Bajwa on Saturday said the ‘Chakka Jaam’ will be peaceful, and it is government’s responsibility to ensure that no anti-social elements create violence.

    “Our entire protest so far has been peaceful. The whole farmer fraternity wants to peacefully organise ‘Chakka Jaam’. But the government has to ensure, with the help of its agencies and security forces to prevent rowdy elements are conspiring to create violence, it should be prevented.”

    “We will organise ‘Chakka Jaam’ everywhere in the country barring Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as Tikait announced last evening. We will register our protest against farm laws in front of authorities in these two states by submitting the memorandum,” he added.

    He further said that people from protest camps have gone back to their villages to ensure peace during ‘Chakka Jaam’ in their regions.

    READ HERE | Chakka jam today outside Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand

    Around 50,000 personnel of Delhi Police, Paramilitary and Reserve Forces have been deployed in the Delhi-NCR region to maintain law and order. At least 12 metro stations have also been put on alert. Heavy deployment of police personnel was also seen at the Red Fort.

    Farmer unions on Monday announced a countrywide ‘Chakka Jaam’ on February 6 from 12 pm to 3 pm.

    Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three newly enacted farm laws: 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. 

  • Farmers’ protest: Chakka jam today outside Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand

    By Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH/JAIPUR/LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: With the government on Friday strongly defending the farm laws in Rajya Sabha despite protests against them gathering momentum, farmers unions said that the chakka jam planned for Saturday will not take place in UP, Uttarakhand and Delhi, but will cover other parts of the country, including southern states.

    While agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the offer to amend the laws should not be viewed as if they had any flaws, the Opposition demanded that they be repealed and fresh ones brought after consultations.

    At the protest site, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced their action plan on the chakka jam following a meeting between Balbir Singh Rajewal and Rakesh Tikait.

    ALSO READ | Global personalities reiterate their support to farmers despite Centre censure

    “As sugarcane harvesting is on in UP and Uttarakhand, farmers will be busy. The SKM has decided that farmers in these two states will not resort to chakka jam and will submit memos to the deputy commissioners. Delhi is also kept away from tomorrow’s stir, though it will cover the rest of the country,” said Tikait and Rajewal. 

    Tikait welcomed the support from international artistes and activists, including Rihanna and Greta Thunberg, but admitted he didn’t know them.  The SKM’ said only national and state highways are to be jammed from 12 noon to 3.00 pm.

    The farmer leaders appealed to keep it peaceful. Sources said farmer unions fear angry outbursts in UP’s Pilibhit belt as the kisans there are upset over the deaths of some of their comrades. “That’s why the blockade has been called off in these areas,” said a source.

    Two mahapanchayats, one each in Rajasthan’s Dausa and  Shamli in western UP, drew massive crowds. While Dausa is Congress leader Sachin Pilot’s pocket burough, the one in Shamili was organised by SP and RLD.

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