By The farmers on Wednesday hardened their stand, demanding a special Parliament session to roll back the contentious farm laws and warning of a countrywide protest on December 5. Their representatives are to meet Union Ministers regarding their demands on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Sangh-affiliate Swadesh Jagran Manch said the farmers needed an “assurance on price, an alternative ATM mechanism,” if middlemen/arhtiyas were to be removed, and a “better dispute redressal system”. Manch’s Ashwani Mahajan said while the intentions of the government could not be questioned, “any good thing has the scope for further improvement”.
Capt to meet Shah ahead of talks today
The Centre and Pb Govt are expected to work on a solution, with Capt Amarinder Singh set to meet Home Minister Amit Shah at his Delhi residence on Thursday, ahead of the Centre’s meeting with farmers. Some Cong leaders are wary of the turn the stir could take if prolonged. Sources said Capt might even attend the meeting with farmers to help break stalemate. TNS
“Earlier, the arhtiyas would form cartels, now big players can do the same. Farmers need an assurance on MSP, either through amendments in the existing Acts or a new law,” he said. On the government stand that the support price was never a part of the legal system, he said: “It must be made obligatory for buyers to pay the floor price. The government can fix the floor price of crops, making a legal provision for it.” Agriculture Minister Tomar, who apprised Home Minister Amit Shah of the “inconclusive” Tuesday meeting, said he was hopeful of a breakthrough. The ministers are believed to have discussed ways to dispel the farmers’ misgivings. Sources indicated that an official group of ministers/committee could strike a “middle path”.
The farm unions accused the government of trying to divide the farmers. “The BKU (Tikait) and all other unions across the country are with us,” Krantikari Kisan Union head Darshan Pal claimed, threatening to choke all Delhi roads if their demands were not met. “It’s do or die for us,” stressed Gurnam Singh Charuni. “There have been protests in other countries as well. The government should ensure the country does not get a bad name,” cautioned Shiv Kumar ‘Kakkaji’.
Besides Singhu and Tikri, the farmers on Wednesday also gathered at the Chilla border between Delhi and Noida. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal claimed the Centre was upset with him for not allowing stadiums to be used as temporary jails for the farmers even as he accused Captain of speaking “BJP’s language”.
Another farmer dies at Tikri-B’garh border
Jhajjar: Gurjant Singh (72) of Bachaona village in Mansa died on Wednesday while protesting at Tikri-Bahadurgarh border — the third such death at the border. Sources said Gurjant was taken to the Civil Hospital, Bahadurgarh, after he complained of abdomen pain. Doctors there referred him to PGIMS-Rohtak but he died on the way.
Delhi Bar Council backs farmers
New Delhi: The Bar Council of Delhi on Wednesday came out in support of the farmers and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal the three agriculture laws and to give an audience to them to arrive at an amicable solution. It also said there was a need to introduce a legislation for the welfare of farmers. TNS
JJP MLAs for more proactive role
Chandigarh: Even as JJP chief Ajay Chautala has sought a written guarantee from the Centre on the MSP, a section of MLAs want a more proactive role in the farmers’ stir. At least two — Jogi Ram Sihag (Barwala) and Ram Karan Kala (Shahbad) — have publicly expressed solidarity with the farmers and condemned “atrocities” by Haryana cops.
