The protesting farmers in New Delhi have demanded the three farm bills to be revoked, stating that they focus on corporate organisations and are against the farmer’s interest. They also demanded the Maximum Selling Price to be assured.
The farmers had travelled to the national capital from Punjab and Haryana hoping that the central government would meet them and resolve their problems. They were told that the centre was ready to meet them after they continue their protest in the place designated to them. However, the farmers have refused shift to the Burari ground and have occupied the five entry points of New Delhi.
Soon after the meeting, the president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) said that they will not move to the ground in Burari as it is like an open jail. When protests take palace in the Ramlila ground and Jantar Martar, why should they go the Burari ground, a private facility?
The farmers told the reporters that the Delhi Police had informed them that they were permitted to protest in the Jantar Mantar after their request for a new place, instead they were locked in the Burari ground. This is the reason that the farmers have gherao the national capital from five entry points. They are willing to protest for months, if necessary, stating that they have food to survive for months.
The leaders of the farmer unions said that the talks with the government have been fruitless and unproductive. Further, they said that no matter if it is BJP, AAP or Congress, they will not allow any political party to intervene in their protest. Their committee will permit certain organisations to speak for them.
The Haryana unit president of BKU, Gurnam Singh Chadhoni elaborated that they will not let the government put any more conditions. They will meet them (govt) but will not accept any conditions. As conditions do not imply a conversational environment and they will not be ready for talks with the government.
The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) have addressed the issue and informed that if the central government is sincere about holding settlement talks, there should not be any conditions involved and not assume that the discussion will be only about the benefits of the farm bills.
We will continue to protest at the Delhi borders and will not settle any less than the dismissal of the farm bills, said the President of the Bhartiya Kisan Ektagarh.
Amit Shah has called the farmer’s protest ‘apolitical’ as it is meant for the welfare and benefits to the farmers. The farm bill is focused on pulling them out of the traditional system. They are free to protest politically are free to do so. I have never said the farmers’ protest is political and would never say (that it is political), he added.
On November 29, Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his programme Mann ki Baat that the bills are meant to free the farmers from the shackles of the system and give them new rights for their benefit. He also said that the bills fulfil the demands of the farmers they were promised by several political parties.
Additionally, the Chief Minister of Punjab has supported the government and asked the farmers to accept the proposal put forward to them as it is in the best interest of both the parties to hold discussions at the earliest.
