New Delhi: On Sunday, the Center and protesting farmers remained paralyzed about controversial agricultural laws Sunday, with farmers saying they would proceed with the proposed tractor parade in Delhi on Republic Day, and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the government was not ready Let’s discuss the complete withdrawal of laws.
The withdrawal of laws is the main demand of farmers, who have staged protests on Delhi’s borders for more than 50 days.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday said that the farmers are ready to protest against farm laws by “May 2024”, terming the ongoing movement as “ideological revolution”.
Meanwhile, at a rally in Karnataka, Home Minister Amit Shah said that doubling the “farmers’ income” was the “biggest priority” of the Narendra Modi government and three central agricultural laws would ensure their income multiplied.
‘Tractors will go ahead with a march on Republic Day’
Addressing a press conference at the Singhu Border protest site, Kisan Union leader Yogendra Yadav said, “We will do a tractor parade on Outer Ring Road in Delhi on Republic Day. The parade will be very peaceful. There will be no disruption. Republic Day Parade. Farmers will put a national flag on their tractors. “
The Center had on January 26 moved the Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor march or any other kind of protest to “protest by farmers” to disrupt Republic Day celebrations and celebrations. The case is pending in court.
Another farmers union leader, Darshan Pal Singh, alleged that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was registering cases against those who were part of or supported the protests.
“All Kisan Sangh condemns this,” Pal said, referring to the NIA summons issued to the Kisan Union leader in a case allegedly related to the banned Sikh for Justice organization.
Addressing a press in Nagpur on Sunday, Tikait said that farmers want a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP).
Asked how long the farmers would sit on the dharna, Tikait said, “We are ready to sit in protest till May 2024. We demand that the three laws are withdrawn and the government provide legal guarantee on the MSP.” “
His remarks refer to the country’s next Lok Sabha elections, which will take place from April-May 2024. Rejecting the charge that there was a protest by “rich peasants”, Tikait said that people from villages and various organizations have joined the protest.
“This is an ideological revolution of the farmers that have started in Delhi and will not fail. The farmers of the villages do not want till the three farm bills are withdrawn,” he said. “The government is firm on its stand not to withdraw the bill and the movement will continue for a long time,” Tikait said.
He welcomed the SC’s decision on implementing agricultural laws but said the committee constituted by the apex court included members who “supported” the agricultural bill.
“We do not want to go before the committee set up by the court. The government has also said that the government and farmers will get a solution on this issue,” he said.
‘Leave stubbornness’
Ahead of the tenth round of talks scheduled on 19 January, Tomar urged the opposing agricultural leaders to give up their “unswerving” stance on the new agricultural laws and come up for a segment-by-clause discussion.
“Now that the Supreme Court has stayed the implementation of these laws, there is no question of being obstinate,” Tomar told reporters before leaving for his home area of Morena in Madhya Pradesh.
“The government wants farmer leaders to participate in a segment-by-section discussion at the next meeting on January 19. Except for the demand to repeal the laws, the government is ready to seriously and openly consider other options.” said.
The Supreme Court had on January 11 stayed the implementation of the three laws till further orders and appointed a four-member panel to resolve the deadlock. However, a member of the panel, farmer leader Bhupinder Singh Mann distanced himself from it on 14 January.
Tomar said the government has offered some concessions, but farmer leaders have not shown flexibility and are constantly demanding the repeal of the laws.
He reiterated that the government makes laws for the entire country. He also claimed that “many farmers, experts, and other stakeholders support the laws”.
So far, nine rounds of formal talks between the Center and 41 farmer unions have failed to produce any tangible results to end the long-running protests on Delhi’s borders as the latter repealed the three Acts altogether Are adamant on their main demand.
SC to hear tomorrow on agricultural laws
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday petitions related to the controversial agricultural laws and ongoing protests by farmers. The apex court may take into consideration the case of Mann’s recruits from a court-appointed committee.