Farmers call for Bharat Bandh on Dec 8, threaten to intensify stir; 5th round of talks today | Top Developments

Farmer leaders on Friday issued a call for Bharat Bandh on December 8 in protest against the central government's three new farm laws. A delegation of farmers' representatives is slated to meet Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at Vigyan Bhawan on Saturday to discuss their demands.

A meeting of farmer leaders and the Agriculture Minister on Thursday proved to be inconclusive despite the Centre's repeated appeals to protestors. To that effect, the central government also expressed its intent of strengthening APMC mandis but remained evasive on the demand for a nationwide law to punish the procurement of farm produce below Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Among the demands presented by farmer leaders is the call for a special session of Parliament to repeal the new farm laws. The agitating farmers have rejected the central government's offers of amendments to the laws. News agency PTI quoted sources to suggest that the Centre has "worked out possible solutions to the provisions on which the farmer leaders have raised objections".

The fallout of the farmers' agitation also leaped continents with India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoning the Canadian envoy over Canada's PM Justin Trudeau's remarks on the protest. "Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada. These comments have encouraged gatherings of extremist activities in front of our High Commission and Consulates in Canada that raise issues of safety and security," the MEA said in a statement.

Effigies of PM to be burnt on December 5

Addressing a press conference at Singhu border on Friday, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU-Lakhowal) general secretary HS Lakhowal said effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and corporate houses will be burnt across the country on December 5 in protest.

Lakhowal also said that farmers will return their medals and awards in protest against the farm laws on December 7, a day before the planned Bharat Bandh. Taking part in the agitation at Ghazipur border, farmer leader Rakesh Tikat also confirmed the call for a Bharat Bandh on Tuesday.

On December 8, farmers plan to free all toll plazas as a mark of protest. "We clearly told the government yesterday that these three new laws that have been passed, the government should withdraw them," HS Lakhowal added.

Plea in Supreme Court to end agitation

A plea was filed in the Supreme Court of India on Friday seeking immediate removal of agitating farmers from border areas of Delhi-NCR. The petitioner alleged that the ongoing stir could escalate the spread of novel coronavirus in the national capital.

Novelist returns award, groom shows solidarity with farmers

Taking a cue from former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, novelist Dr Jaswinder Singh returned his Bharatiya Sahitya Akademi Award in solidarity with agitating farmers. “If a writer cannot present people’s voice then what is the point? I did not start writing for awards. It is disheartening to see the central government dealing mercilessly with farmers and violating basic human rights,” Dr Singh said.

In Haryana’s Karnal, a groom decided to extend support to the farmers’ protest by arriving at his wedding venue on a tractor. He told media outlets, “We might be moving to the city but our roots are farming. Farmers should be a priority. We want to send a message that farmers have public support.”

Similarly, the Muslim Brotherhood Malerkotla (Punjab) set up a ‘langar sewa’ on Friday to show solidarity with protesting farmers.

Trinamool extends support, AAP questions Punjab CM

On the day that the party's Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien met protesting farmers at Singhu border, Trinamool Congress voiced its support for the agitation. According to inputs, the TMC's farmers' wing will stage demonstrations in Kolkata on December 8, 9 and 10. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who urged the farmers to continue the protest, is likely to take part in the demonstrations in Kolkata on Thursday.

Today, @MamataOfficial sent me on behalf of @AITCofficial to meet farmers protesting at Singhu border. She spoke to multiple groups on the telephone. They expressed gratitude. She confirmed solidarity. Four hours here. I have never ever seen something quite like this.

Video pic.twitter.com/BCDq6UARGJ — Derek O'Brien | ' (@derekobrienmp) December 4, 2020

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain also interacted with farmers at the Singh (Delhi-Haryana) border on Friday. In a press conference he held later in the day, Jain accused Punjab CM Amarinder Singh of behaving like a "BJP chief minister" after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Shiv Sena, in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamna, also endorsed the farmers' agitation. The editorial said, "Never seen the Modi government in so much trouble in the last six years. The misunderstanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah can bend anyone has been proven false by farmers.”

Tejashwi Yadav said the RJD will hold a dharna at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Saturday to show solidarity with the farmers. The Indian National Lok Dal, meanwhile, expressed its willingness to join any front floated by the SAD.

Hooda, Gehlot target Centre

Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also took aim at the central government saying, "Farmers are being insulted. They are being called 'Khalistanis' and 'Congressis'. Farmers are farmers. They have come here with their valid demands, rising above religion, caste and region. They are here in this cold."

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also urged the central government to withdraw the new farm laws without any delay and apologise for the mistreatment meted out to agitating farmers.

JJP delegation meets Haryana Home Minister

In Haryana, a delegation of BJP ally JJP met state Home Minister Anil Vij on Friday to discuss the ongoing farmers' agitation. The party of Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala demanded the withdrawal of cases filed against farmers protesting in Haryana.

DMK raises farmers' stir at meet chaired by PM

During the all-party meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, DMK MP TR Baalu was the only participant who raised the issue of the ongoing farmers' agitation. Reports also suggest that this led to a heated exchange between Baalu and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi.

The meeting was called to discuss a Covid-19 vaccine strategy with Opposition party leaders.

Delhi-NCR traffic routes remain choked

On Friday, protesting farmers blocked the road from Delhi to Ghaziabad leaving only the central Expressway carriage operational. A Transporters' Association from Delhi also joined the farmers' agitation at Singhu border and threatened more 'chakka jams' if demands are not met.

Delhi's Singhu, Auchandi, Safiabad, Piao Maniyari, Tikri, Jharoda and Saboli borders remained closed on Friday apart from National Highway-44 (NH44). The Traffic Police advised commuters to take alternate routes via Lampur, NH8, Bhopra/Apsara border and the Peripheral expressway.

In addition, traffic was also diverted from Mukarba and GTK road with commuters being advised to avoid the Outer Ring Road, GTK Road and NH44.

Light motor vehicles (cars, two-wheelers) were allowed at Badusarai border while only the movement of two-wheelers was permitted at Jhatikara border on Friday.

The Delhi Traffic Police said that Dhansa, Daurala, Kapashera, Rajokri NH8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders remained open for commuters travelling to Haryana from the national capital.

Chilla border on Noida Link Road was also closed for traffic owing to protesting farmers near Gautam Budhha Dwar. Commuters were advised to use the DND as Ghazipur Border on NH24 and NH9 remained out of operation. Authorities advised commuters to avoid NH24 and use Apsara/Bhopura/DND flyover to enter Delhi.