Farmers’ Protest: ‘Bharat Bandh’ Call Given for 8 Dec Amid Impasse
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Intensifying the farmers’ protest against the three contentious laws amid a deadlock with the Centre, a call for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on 8 December was given by leaders on Friday, 4 December.
We have decided to give ‘Bharat Bandh’ call on 8 December, farmer leader Harvinder Singh Lakhwal was quoted as saying by news agency PTI after a meeting. He added that they have planned to block the remaining roads of Delhi.
Meanwhile, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking immediate removal of farmers who are protesting at the border areas of Delhi-NCR, Bar & Bench reported. The plea filed by an advocate reportedly cites an increase in the risk of spread of COVID-19 in Delhi, and says that the protest is working as an obstacle for accessing emergency medical services and attending to patients.
- On Thursday, a meeting between the farmers’ representatives and the government ended inconclusively, though the latter seemed willing to concede to some of the demands
- The next round of talks will be held on 5 December
- Tomar, addressing the media on Thursday, said that the government has no ego and is considering the demands of the farmers with an open mind
- Congress has demanded an early Winter Session to discuss the ongoing farmers’ issues
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Mamata Banerjee Threatens Countrywide Agitation
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday threatened to launch a country-wide agitation if the "anti-farmer" new farm laws were not withdrawn.
Several Winners of Bhartiya Sahitya Akademi Award in Punjabi Return Awards
Winners of Bhartiya Sahitya Akademi Award in Punjabi including Sirmour Shire Dr Mohanjit, eminent thinker Dr. Jaswinder Singh and Punjabi playwright and editor of Punjabi Tribune Swarajbir have returned their awards to show support for farmers, ANI reported on Friday, quoting the Central Punjabi Writers' Association.
Bundelkhand Farmers to Join Stir in Delhi
The Bundelkhand Kisan Union (BKU) has announced its support to the farmers' demand for convening a special session of Parliament to repeal the Centre's three farm laws.
"The three laws passed by the Union government are anti-farmers. They will not help farmers in any way and will only force them to commit suicide," said BKU president Vimal Kumar.
He said that the government should immediately convene a special session of the Parliament and withdraw all the three controversial laws and set up a 'Krishi Ayog consisting only of agriculture scientists and farmers," Kumar said.
He said about 500 farmers of the Bundelkhand region are reaching Delhi on Friday to in the famers' agitation.
Farmer Leaders Hold Meet to Decide Next Steps
40 farmer leaders are holding a meeting at one of the Delhi-Haryana borders to discuss the next steps after Thursday's meeting with the government yielded no result amid the deadlock over the farm laws.
Borders of Delhi Remain Choked Amid Stir
Several roads leading to Delhi remain closed as farmers continue their protest at four busy border points of the national capital - Singhu, Noida, Ghazipur and Tikri - to press their demands, under heavy police deployment.
Derek O'Brien Meets Farmers at Singhu Border, Mamata Speaks to Them Over Phone
TMC leader Derek O'Brien on Friday met farmers gathered in protest at the Singhu border, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to the farmers over the phone, ANI reports.
Mamata Banerjee Expresses Solidarity With Farmers
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Friday took to Twitter to express solidarity with farmers protesting against the “draconian farm bills passed without consultation by Centre”.
Plea in SC For Farmers’ Removal from Delhi-NCR Border, Cites COVID
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking immediate removal of farmers who are protesting at the border areas of Delhi-NCR against the recently passed agricultural laws, Bar & Bench reported.
The plea filed by an advocate reportedly cites an increase in the risk of spread of COVID-19 in Delhi, and says that the protest is working as an obstacle for accessing emergency medical services and attending to patients.
‘Bharat Bandh’ Call Given for 8 December Amid Impasse
Intensifying the farmers’ protest against the three contentious laws amid a deadlock with the Centre, a call for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on 8 December was given by leaders on Friday.
We have decided to give ‘Bharat Bandh’ call on 8 December, farmer leader Harvinder Singh Lakhwal was quoted as saying by news agency PTI after a meeting. He added that they have planned to block the remaining roads of Delhi.
“Yesterday, we told the Government that the farm laws should be withdrawn. On 5 December, effigies of PM Modi will be burnt across the country. We have given a call for Bharat Bandh on 8 December,” Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU-Lakhowal) General Secretary HS Lakhowal was quoted as saying by ANI at the Singhu border.