Farmers protesting against the Centre’s 3 farm laws on Sunday rejected the Centre’s ‘conditiona’ present of early talks and decided to continue the protest at the Delhi borders rather of going to the Burari ground in the national capital.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had on Saturday appealed to the farmers to shift to the Sant Nirankari ground in Burari that was supplied to them for peaceful protests and mentioned the Centre was prepared to hold discussions with them as quickly as they move to the designated spot.
Surjeet S Phul, president of BKU Krantikari (Punjab), termed the Burari ground, exactly where some thousand farners have currently reached, an open jail.
“The condition put forward for talks is an insult to farmers. We will never go to Burari. We’ve decided that we’ll never go to Burari Park as we got proof that it’s an open jail. Delhi Police told Uttarakhand Farmer Association President that they’ll take them to Jantar Mantar but instead locked them at Burari Park. We’ve decided that we will gherao Delhi by blocking 5 main entry points to Delhi. We’ve got 4 months ration with us, so nothing to worry. Our Operations Committee will decide everything,” he mentioned.
He also announced that no political celebration will be permitted to use its stage to speak. “Our Committee will allow other organisations, who are supporting us, to speak if they follow our rules,” Phul mentioned.
Reacting to farmers protest, Union Agriculture Min Narendra Tomar mentioned the farmers must quit agitation and select talks.
“Government has proposed to meet on December 3 for the fourth time. So, talks are already going on, nobody should think govt isn’t ready for it. Governmrnt is open for talks, farmers’ unions should create atmosphere for it. They should leave agitation and choose talks,” Tomar mentioned.
Meanwhile, a lawyers group extended assistance to agitating farmers and gathered outdoors Supreme Court in solidarity.
“It is wrong to paint their protest in a political colour. Their demands are reasonable and the govt should accept them,” Senior Advocate HS Phoolka mentioned.
The All-India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh and different factions of Bharatiya Kisan Union had offered the get in touch with for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
Farmers protesting against the Centre’s 3 farm laws have expressed apprehension that these will pave a way for the dismantling of the minimum assistance value technique, leaving them at the “mercy” of major corporates.
The Centre has invited various Punjab farmer organisations for a further round of talks in Delhi on December 3.