Farmers' Protest Highlights: The 'Delhi Chalo' farmers' protest at border points of New Delhi has entered the 77th day today. Thousands of farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, are staging a sit-in protest along Delhi borders. The protest started on November 26, 2020. The farmers are demanding a complete rollback of the new farm reform laws and a guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system being retained. Multiple rounds of talks between the Centre and the farmers’ union leaders have ended in a stalemate. Protesting farmers fear that the new laws will dismantle the MSP system and corporatise farming. The Supreme Court had earlier ordered a stay on the implementation of these contentious laws, hoping it will end the protest. The farm union leaders have also rejected Centre's proposal to suspend implementation of the laws for the 18 months. On January 26, the protest turned violent when some farmers deviated from a pre-decided route for their Republic Day tractor rally and clashed with police. Some protesters scaled the ramparts of the Red Fort. Several protestors and police personnel were injured in the ensuing clashes. The farmers' unions also held a 'chakka jam' on February 6 where they blocked national and state highways to protest the internet ban in areas near their agitation sites and harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities, among other issues.
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Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Court asks police to upload on its website FIRs lodged at Nangloi PS
A court here has directed the Delhi police to upload on its website all the FIRs that were registered at the Nangloi police station in connection to the violence on Republic Day during farmers'' tractor parade against the Centre''s three new agri laws.
Metropolitan Magistrate Abhinav Pandey said except where reasons have been communicated to the court, all the FIRs should be uploaded so that the representatives of the accused persons do not have to run from pillar to post.
The court, however, declined to supply arrest memo, remand order and remand application to the accused, saying no ground was made out to supply the documents to him at the stage of investigation and can only be supplied after cognisance of the charge sheet has been taken.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | PM Modi Had Demanded Legalisation Of MSP As Gujarat CM: Sukhbir Singh Badal
Amid the ongoing farmers' protest over the new farm laws, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had demanded the "legalisation" of minimum support price (MSP) to the Centre when he was the Chief Ministers of Gujarat.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | PM cites 'Churchill Cigar Assistant' anecdote to underline need for change
Defending the farm laws as much needed reforms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 10 underlined that change is essential and cited the case of CCA, a British era post in Tamil Nadu for supplying cigars to then UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill that was not abolished till several decades after independence.
Speaking in Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President for his address, Modi said change and reforms are essential for the progress of every modern society.
He also mentioned social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Jyotiba Phule and B R Ambedkar who had the courage to push for reforms in society against the prevailing norms.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Toll collection won't be allowed in Rajasthan from Feb 12: Samyukta Kisan Morcha
From February 12, all road toll plazas in Rajasthan will be made toll free. On February 14, candle march, 'mashaal juloos' & other programs will be organized across country remembering sacrifice of martyred soldiers in the Pulwama attack.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Dr Darshan Pal, Samyukta Kisan Morcha:
On February 16, the farmers will show solidarity throughout the country on the birth anniversary of Sir Chhoturam. Rail roko program will be held on February 18 from 12 to 4 pm across the country.
Forced to walkout in LS as PM did not say anything to satisfy concerns over farm laws: Congress
After its members walked out of Lok Sabha during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech, the Congress on Wednesday said its leaders were forced to do so as the PM did not say anything to satisfy its concerns over the farm laws.
"We thought the prime minister will talk about some important steps for the welfare of the farmers. Over 206 farmers have lost their lives, but the prime minister is not willing to say anything about it," Congress'' leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told reporters outside Parliament.
As the prime minister defended the three farm laws during his reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President for his address, the opposition members including Chowdhury repeatedly disrupted his speech.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Agitating farmers not aiming change in power at Centre but solution to their issues: Rakesh Tikait
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday asserted that the agitating farmers were not aiming at any change in power at the Centre but a solution to their problems as he said many of their leaders will tour different parts of the country to spread the movement.
Addressing the protesting farmers at Singhu border, Tikait said that the agitation against the farm laws will stretch till the Centre addresses their issues.
"We do not aim change in power (at the Centre). The government should do its work. We want it to repeal the farm laws and ensure law on MSP," he said.
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Hasimrat Kaur Badal, SAD: I think the need of the hour is to listen to what farmer wants. PM said that in Punjab, ministers went & spoke to farmers. I wish he'd tell which farmer was spoken to because as far as I recall, the only minister who went to Punjab called farmers hooligans.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | PM in Lok Sabha:
I consider 'Kisan Andolan' to be holy. But, when 'Andolanjeevis' hijack 'Pavitra Andolans', showcase photos of those jailed for serious offences, does it serve any purpose? Not allowing toll plazas to work, destroying telecom towers-does it serve a Pavitra Andolan.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Delhi Police:
Iqbal Singh, an accused in 26th January Delhi violence case arrested by Special Cell from Hoshiarpur, Punjab last night. He carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his arrest.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Farmers' demand not wrong, Centre should accept it: Ajit Pawar
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday said the demands raised by farmers during their ongoing protest near Delhi are not wrong or unreasonable, and asked the Centre to accept the same.
Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting emotional on Tuesday while recollecting his association with Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Pawar told reporters here that he will feel satisfied if the same sentiments are visible in the case of farmers also.
Thousands of farmers have been agitating for more two months near the national capital, demanding a repeal of the Centre''s three new farm laws.
"The demand raised by farmers is not wrong, it is not unreasonable. It is the sentiment of a farmer that he gets proper compensation in return of his hard work. It is his right. The Centre should accept that just demand," Pawar said.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Congress will scrap farm laws if it comes to power: Priyanka Gandhi
Attacking the Centre over the new farm laws, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday told a rally in western Uttar Pradesh that if voted to power her party would scrap them.
At a ''kisan panchayat'' organised by the party in Saharanpur, the Congress general secretary accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders of "insulting" farmers who are protesting against the laws.
"The three laws are demonic. If voted to power, the Congress will scrap these laws," she said.
She said the party''s fight will continue till the laws are scrapped.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | PM Modi in Lok Sabha:
This House, our Government and we all respect the farmers who are voicing their views on the farm bills. This is the reason why senior Ministers of the Government are constantly talking to them. There is great respect for the farmers.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | PM Modi in Lok Sabha:
Farm laws were passed through an Ordinance & later by Parliament. No mandis were shut after the implementation of these laws, MSP did not end anywhere in the nation. It's a truth which we hide, it has no meaning. Purchase on MSP increased after the laws were formed.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | PM Modi:
Three farm laws were brought in by Government, these Agricultural reforms are important & necessary. Congress MPs in House debated on colour of the laws (black/white), it would have been better if they had debated on the content and intent of the laws.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress, at Kisan Mahapanchayat in Saharanpur:
In 1955, Jawaharlal Nehru had made laws against hoarding. But this law has been scrapped by the BJP govt. This new law will help the 'Arabpatis'. They will decide the price of farmers' produce
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Republic Day violence: Dead farmer's family move High Court for court-monitored SIT probe
The family of a 25-year-old man, who died after his tractor overturned at Central Delhi's ITO during the protesting farmers' tractor parade on the Republic Day, moved the Delhi Court today seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into the incident.
The petition, which is likely to be listed for hearing tomorrow, is filed by deceased Navreet Singh's grandfather who has sought enforcement of his right to fair investigation and justice as well as the right to know the truth about his grandson's death.
According to the police, the man had died as his tractor overturned at ITO where many farmers participating in the parade had reached from the Ghazipur border after taking a detour from the pre-agreed route for the march. (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates |
Farm reform laws not religious scriptures that changes cannot be made: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference (NC) member Farooq Abdullah yesterday said that the new farm reform laws are not religious scriptures that changes cannot be made as he appealed to the Centre to hold a dialogue with the agitating farmers and come out with a solution. He was speaking during the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President's address.
"I just want to make this request on the farmers' issue. It is not a ‘Khudai kitaab (religious scripture)’ that we cannot make changes. But we have made law. If they (farmers) want it to be scrapped, why can't you talk to them," he said.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | CPI(M) MLA raises slogans in support of farmers in Rajasthan Assembly
CPI(M) MLA Balwan Poonia today created an uproar on the issue of farmers' stir during the Governor's Address on the first day of the Budget session of the Rajasthan Assembly.
As soon as Governor Kalraj Mishra began his address, in which he highlighted the works of the state government, Poonia started shouting slogans in support of the farmers' agitation and accused the Central government of ignoring the plight of farmers. (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Union Minister Anurag Thakur demands that Congress member authenticate claim on farm reform laws in Lok Sabha
Union Minister Anurag Thakur yesterday demanded in Lok Sabha that Congress member Ravneet Singh Bittu authenticate his claim that one of the three contentious farm reform laws seeks to scrap APMC mandis.
Participating in the discussion on the motion thanking the President for his address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Singh had claimed that one of the three agriculture bills has mentioned that Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) mandis will be scrapped and private mandis will be developed.
Objecting to the remarks, the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs said that the Congress member should tell the House where it was stated in the bill that the mandis will be scrapped." (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Republic Day violence: Dead farmer's family move High Court for court-monitored SIT probe
The family of a 25-year-old man, who died after his tractor overturned at Central Delhi's ITO during the protesting farmers' tractor parade on the Republic Day, moved the Delhi Court today seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into the incident.
The petition, which is likely to be listed for hearing tomorrow, is filed by deceased Navreet Singh's grandfather who has sought enforcement of his right to fair investigation and justice as well as the right to know the truth about his grandson's death.
According to the police, the man had died as his tractor overturned at ITO where many farmers participating in the parade had reached from the Ghazipur border after taking a detour from the pre-agreed route for the march. (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | BK Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime:
Deep Sidhu is in Delhi Police custody and is being interrogated. Investigation is underway. Red Fort violence case is being investigated.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | DCP Delhi Special Cell Sanjeev Yadav to reporters:
“Iqbal Singh is a resident of Ludhiana, Punjab. He is involved in inciting the public on January 26 in Delhi. He was visiting the Singhu border since November 2020. On January 26, he reached Red Fort with a mob. He had not interacted with Deep Sidhu.”
Delhi Police had arrested Iqbal Singh, an accused in January 26 violence case, from Punjab’s Hoshiarpur last night.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates |
Farmers participating in the ongoing protests against newly enacted three agricultural reform laws were not summoned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Centre has told the Rajya Sabha.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates |
Farm reform laws not religious scriptures that changes cannot be made: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference (NC) member Farooq Abdullah yesterday said that the new farm reform laws are not religious scriptures that changes cannot be made as he appealed to the Centre to hold a dialogue with the agitating farmers and come out with a solution. He was speaking during the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President's address.
"I just want to make this request on the farmers' issue. It is not a ‘Khudai kitaab (religious scripture)’ that we cannot make changes. But we have made law. If they (farmers) want it to be scrapped, why can't you talk to them," he said.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Union Minister Anurag Thakur demands that Congress member authenticate claim on farm reform laws in Lok Sabha
Union Minister Anurag Thakur yesterday demanded in Lok Sabha that Congress member Ravneet Singh Bittu authenticate his claim that one of the three contentious farm reform laws seeks to scrap APMC mandis.
Participating in the discussion on the motion thanking the President for his address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Singh had claimed that one of the three agriculture bills has mentioned that Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) mandis will be scrapped and private mandis will be developed.
Objecting to the remarks, the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs said that the Congress member should tell the House where it was stated in the bill that the mandis will be scrapped." (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Delhi Police:
Iqbal Singh, an accused in January 26 violence case, was arrested by the Special Cell from Hoshiarpur, Punjab last night. He carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his arrest. (Input from
ANI)Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Centre dragging feet on farm reform laws issue as it wants to exhaust protesting farmers: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav yesterday accused the union government of deliberately dragging its feet on the agricultural reform laws issue as it wants to exhaust the protesting farmers.
The former chief minister also alleged that the BJP government at the Centre intends to keep the issue alive till the 2022 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh so that it can use it for levelling all kinds of allegations on the opposition parties. In a statement issued by the party, the SP chief claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is only concerned about his global image and not that of the country. (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Blocking accounts against Indian law and our principles of defending freedom of expression: Twitter to Centre
Twitter today said that it had not taken any action on news media entities, journalists, activists and politicians – as directed by the government of India – in keeping with the microblogging site’s principles of defending protected speech and freedom of expression.
The response comes amid Twitter’s ongoing tussle with the government over blocking of some accounts related to farmers’ protest.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | After PM Modi’s ‘andolan jeevi’ jibe, Akhilesh Yadav calls BJP leaders ‘chanda jeevis’
Attacking PM Modi for his “andolan jeevi” remark on protesting farmers, Samajwadi Party MP and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav called the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders “chanda jeevis”, meaning those who live on donations.
Addressing Parliament yesterday, Akhilesh Yadav said: “That ‘andolans’ or protests have given India several rights and several leaders. In fact, India gained independence due to protests.”
He added: “If people who protest are ‘andolan jeevis’, then BJP leaders are ‘chanda jeevis’, who brandish their flag to collect donations ever so often.”
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | By keeping mum over agitating farmers' death, PM made fun of their martyrdom: Ashok Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot yesterday accused Prime Minister Narendra of trying to make fun of farmers' martyrdom by not speaking a word on their deaths during the agitation against the three central farm reform laws.
"Instead of speaking a word on the death of more than 100 farmers, PM Modi has tried to make fun of their martyrdom, which is condemnable," Gehlot said in a tweet. (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Government treating farmers the way it should be treating China on borders: Owaisi
Asking the government to withdraw the three farm reform laws, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi yesterday accused the Centre of treating farmers the way it should be treating China on the borders of the country.
Participating in a discussion in Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to the President for his address, Owaisi said the "infrastructure" that should have been created at the borders to check Chinese troops was erected at Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders to prevent farmers from entering Delhi.
Owaisi wanted to know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "shying" away from taking the name of China which is responsible for the killing of Indian soldiers and constructing a village in Arunachal Pradesh. (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates |
Farm reform laws not religious scriptures that changes cannot be made: Farooq AbdullahNational Conference (NC) member Farooq Abdullah yesterday said that the new farm reform laws are not religious scriptures that changes cannot be made as he appealed to the Centre to hold a dialogue with the agitating farmers and come out with a solution. He was speaking during the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President's address.
"I just want to make this request on the farmers' issue. It is not a ‘Khudai kitaab (religious scripture)’ that we cannot make changes. But we have made law. If they (farmers) want it to be scrapped, why can't you talk to them," he said.
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Union Minister Anurag Thakur demands that Congress member authenticate claim on farm reform laws in Lok Sabha
Union Minister Anurag Thakur yesterday demanded in Lok Sabha that Congress member Ravneet Singh Bittu authenticate his claim that one of the three contentious farm reform laws seeks to scrap APMC mandis.
Participating in the discussion on the motion thanking the President for his address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Singh had claimed that one of the three agriculture bills has mentioned that Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) mandis will be scrapped and private mandis will be developed.
Objecting to the remarks, the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs said that the Congress member should tell the House where it was stated in the bill that the mandis will be scrapped." (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | Centre dragging feet on farm reform laws issue as it wants to exhaust protesting farmers: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav yesterday accused the union government of deliberately dragging its feet on the agricultural reform laws issue as it wants to exhaust the protesting farmers.
The former chief minister also alleged that the BJP government at the Centre intends to keep the issue alive till the 2022 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh so that it can use it for levelling all kinds of allegations on the opposition parties. In a statement issued by the party, the SP chief claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is only concerned about his global image and not that of the country. (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates | MoS Kailash Choudhary urges opposition not to mislead farmers over farm reform laws
Taking on the Opposition, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Kailash Choudhary yesterday said those who are terming the new agriculture reform laws as "black laws" should remember that bringing the legislations was part of their manifesto.
Making an intervention during the motion of thanks on the President's Address in Lok Sabha, he said the Opposition should not mislead farmers on these reformist measures. (Input from PTI)
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates |
Thousands of farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, are staging a sit-in protest along Delhi borders. The protest started on November 26.
The farmers are demanding a complete rollback of the new farm reform laws and a guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system being retained. Multiple rounds of talks between the Centre and the farmers’ union leaders have ended in a stalemate. Protesting farmers fear that the new laws will dismantle the MSP system and corporatise farming. The Centre has maintained that these reforms will benefit farmers.
Good morning! Hello and welcome to Moneycontrol’s coverage of the farmers’ protest. The 'Delhi Chalo' farmers' protest at border points of New Delhi has entered the 77th day today.
Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for the latest updates through the day.
