‘Farmers Who Are Protesting Have Been Misguided’: PM Modi in Kutch
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While addressing a crowd in Gujarat’s Kutch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, 15 December, said the farmers who are protesting have been misguided and that the new farm laws are exactly what the farmers and the opposition parties have been demanding for a long time.
Meanwhile, farmer leaders on Tuesday said they are not running away from negotiations, asserting that the government has to pay heed to their demands and come forward with concrete proposals, PTI reported. "The government is saying they won't repeal these laws, we are saying we will make you do it," farmer leader Jagjeet Dallewal was quoted as saying.
- The farmers’ protest against the three contentious laws entered its 20th day on Tuesday
- Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday said the farm acts have been welcomed in states across the country and that the government is willing to continue dialogue with genuine farm unions
- Four Punjab farmers returning from protest sites near Delhi borders were killed in two separate road accidents on Tuesday.
- Kejriwal and AAP volunteers across the country held a day-long hunger strike on Monday in support of the farmers
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99% Farmers are With PM Modi, Says BJP Leader Arun Singh
BJP National General Secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Arun Singh on Monday said that 99 percent of the country's farmers stand with the Narendra Modi-led central government and those protesting in the borders of Delhi are "under the influence of Communists, Congressmen and separatists."
BJP to Organise Meetings of Farmers in Madhya Pradesh
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organise meetings of farmers in various divisions of Madhya Pradesh from Tuesday, 15 December to dispel "misconceptions" being spread about the Centre's three new farm laws, state Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel said.
Don’t Think Anna Hazare Will Join Farmers’ Stir: Nitin Gadkari
Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday that the government has not done anything against the farmers by bringing the three farm laws. He also said that the government is ready to accept all good suggestions from farmers about the three laws.
Gadkari said he doesn’t think social activist Anna Hazare will join the farmers’ agitation.
“I don’t think Anna Hazare ji will join. We have not done anything against the farmers. It is the right of farmers to sell their produce in mandi, to traders or anywhere else,” Gadkari told news agency ANI.
Rapid Action Force Deployed at Singhu Border
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) as well as additional forces have been deployed at the Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border, reports ANI.
Opposition Misleading Farmers at Singhu Border: PM Modi in Kutch
PM Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, said, “People who are sitting in the Opposition and misleading farmers today were in the favour of these farm reforms during their government. They could not make a decision during their government. Today, when the nation has taken a historical step, these people are misleading farmers.”
The Prime Minister further said, “The government is committed to farmers' welfare and will keep assuring farmers and address their concerns.”
Four Punjab Farmers Returning From Protest Killed in Separate Road Accidents
Four Punjab farmers returning from protest sites near Delhi borders were killed in 2 separate road accidents on Tuesday, police say. Two of the deceased were from Patiala, one from Mohali, and another from Fatehgarh Sahib. Eight farmers received injuries in accidents.
'Not Running Away From Negotiations, But Govt Has to Pay Heed to Demands': Farm Leaders
Farmer leaders on Tuesday said they are not running away from negotiations, asserting that the government has to pay heed to their demands and come forward with concrete proposals, PTI reported.
"The government is saying they won't repeal these laws, we are saying we will make you do it," farmer leader Jagjeet Dallewal was quoted as saying.
Pointing out that as many as 20 farmers have become 'martyrs' during the protests so far, the leaders said people across villages and blocks will pay tributes on 20 December to those who lost their lives.
They have also said that the Chilla border between Delhi and Noida will be completely blocked on Wednesday.
BKU (Kisan) Members Meet Agri Minister, He Says They Support Farm Laws
Members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kisan) met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in Delhi on Tuesday.
"The farmers who met me today have supported the three farm laws. They said that they are with the Bills and the government. As some farmers are spreading misconception(s), so they were also misled. When I spoke to them, they clearly supported the Bills," Tomar was quoted as saying by ANI.
Govt Willing to Continue Dialogue With Genuine Farm Unions: Agri Minister
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday said the farm acts have been welcomed in states across the country and that the government is willing to continue dialogue with genuine farm unions.
He further said that MSP is an administrative decision and will continue as it is, reported PTI.