Farmers' protest LIVE: Congress is doing 'khoon ki kheti', says Tomar

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday said the nationwide protest will be peaceful

10:23 PM

Best way to move forward on farmers' protests is dialogue: Suresh Prabhu

The best way to move forward over the ongoing farmers' protests in Delhi is dialogue and the NDA government is willing to talk to the ryots to resolve the issue, senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Friday, according to PTI. "I would request my farmers' friends that the best way to move forward is dialogue.If there is any misconception, any misunderstanding, anything to deal with farmers, it can be discussed through dialogue," he told reporters here.

The exercise with regard to the new farm laws is to create one market for the country which would benefit the farmers and provide more opportunities to sell their products, he said. "Actually speaking, the whole exercise is to create one market for the country which farmers will benefit.It also means that providing more opportunities for farmers to sell their products not only through one source that is Agriculture Price Market Committee but through multiple sources.I think it should be helping the farmers," he said. But, he fully appreciates that the farmers have some grievance and the government is willing to talk to them, Prabhu said.

10:06 PM

Govt agrees to hold discussion on farmers' issue: Report

Government agrees to hold a discussion on farmers' issue after the participation of Opposition in discussions on Presidential Address and Union Budget, and consideration of four Ordinances in the Parliament: ANI quoting government sources

9:01 PM

Suspension of mobile Internet services in Haryana's Sonipat, Jhajjar districts till 5 pm tomorrow

Suspension of mobile Internet services in Haryana's Sonipat, Jhajjar districts to continue till 5 pm tomorrow: PTI

8:49 PM

Narendra Singh Tomar gave detailed info on every aspect of farm laws in Rajya Sabha: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar's remarks on the new farm reform laws in Rajya Sabha, saying he has given detailed information on every aspect of the legislations, PTI reported on Friday.

 

In a tweet, Modi posted a video link to Tomar's statement and said it is his humble request that people hear his speech.

 

Putting up a strong defence of the new farm laws, Tomar said the government's offer to amend them to assuage farmers' sentiments did not mean they had any flaws and none from the protesting unions or their sympathisers have been able to point out any lacuna. Countering the Opposition's claim that farmers across the country are agitated over the three laws, he said in Rajya Sabha that peasants of just one state are being misinformed and instigated.

8:35 PM

Govt ready to discuss farm laws separately in Lok Sabha: Agriculture Minister

As the deadlock in the Lok Sabha continued for the fourth straight day with the Opposition protesting against the three contentious farm laws, Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar said the issue will be resolved as the government is ready to hold a separate discussion on the matter in the House.

 

The Minister said there has been a compromise with the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and its proceedings are now running smoothly. "I am confident that a similar understanding will be developed for the Lok Sabha too."

 

He said that the government is also ready to hold discussions with farmers to resolve their issues related to the three farm laws. The Minister, while talking to the media inside the Parliament premises, said the government is keen to break the deadlock both in the House and the Delhi borders where thousands of farmers are protesting against these laws.

8:11 PM

No road blockade in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand tomorrow: Rakesh Tikait

8:10 PM

Lok Sabha proceedings hit for fourth consecutive day as Opposition protest against farm laws continues

Lok Sabha proceedings were a virtual washout on Friday as relentless protest by Opposition members against the Centre's three farm laws continued for the fourth consecutive day, even as signs emerged that normal functioning could resume from Monday.

 

7:45 PM

Delhi Police says two persons died, one committed suicide during farmers' protest: Agriculture Minister

The Delhi Police has informed about death of two persons and one suicide case during the farmers' protest against the three farm laws, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Friday. To a query in Rajya Sabha whether the government would provide financial assistance from the Kisan Kalyan Fund to the families of the deceased farmers, he answered in the negative, reported the PTI.

 

"There is no specific information available about the death of farmers agitating in different states of the country. However, Delhi Police has informed about death of two persons and one suicide during the farmers' protest," Tomar said in a written reply to the House.

 

To a separate query whether the government has any data on total number of farmers' deaths and cases of suicide at the farmers' protest against the three farm laws from November 2020-January 2021, Tomar said his ministry has "no record".

 

7:19 PM

No Chakka Jaam in Delhi-NCR, all roads leading inside Delhi to remain open: Farmer Union

No Chakka Jaam in Delhi-NCR, all roads leading inside Delhi to remain open except the ones where farmers' protest are already going on: Samyukta Kisan Morcha

7:08 PM

All national and state highways across India will be blocked: Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Chakka Jam tomorrow

The 'Chakka Jam' on February 6 to last from 12-3 pm, all national and state highways across the country will be blocked. Emergency and essential services, like ambulance and school bus, will not be stopped. Chakka Jam will be peaceful. No Chakka Jaam in Delhi-NCR, all roads leading inside Delhi to remain open except the ones where farmers' protest are already going on: ANI quoted Samyukta Kisan Morcha as saying.

7:05 PM

Centre held consultations with states, farmers before bringing farm laws: Agriculture Minister

The Centre followed "due procedure" before bringing the three new agri laws, and held consultations with states and farmers for facilitating barrier-free trade in farm produce to provide choice to the farming community, Parliament was informed on Friday.

 

"Due procedure had been followed while formulating the Ordinances/ Bills," Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

6:37 PM

Lok Sabha proceedings a washout for another day as oppn's protest against farm laws continues

Lok Sabha proceedings were a virtual washout on Friday as relentless protest by opposition members against the Centre's three farm laws continued for another day, according to a PTI report. Lok Sabha was adjourned first till 6 pm after opposition members disrupted the proceedings demanding repeal of the laws and shouted slogans from the Well of the House.

 

As soon as the House convened at 4 PM, members from the Congress, Left parties and the DMK rushed to the Well raising slogans against the new laws and holding placards. Speaker Om Birla continued with the Question Hour with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan responding to supplementary questions on COVID-19 vaccination.

 

As Opposition members continued to raise slogans, Birla appealed to them to participate in the Question Hour as an important issue related to vaccination was being discussed.

 

While Congress, DMK and Left members were in the Well, members from the TMC did not participate in raising slogans. Around 4.15 PM, Birla adjourned the House till 6 PM. With no letup in the protests when the House reconvened in the evening, the Speaker adjourned its proceedings till Monday after his plea to opposition members to go back to their seats went unheeded.

6:36 PM

Congress party extends support to 'Chakka Jam' called by farmer unions tomorrow

Congress party extends their support to the 'Chakka Jam' called by farmer unions tomorrow

6:03 PM

Opposition parties in Rajya Sabha demand repeal of farm reforms

Various opposition parties like the Shiv Sena, SAD, NCP, Samajwadi Party and Left parties on Friday demanded in Rajya Sabha that the three new farm laws be repealed and fresh ones brought after wider consultations.

 

Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address, the members of opposition parties attacked the government for dubbing the farmers protesting against the farm laws as "anti-nationals" and for "defaming" their agitation.

 

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut alleged that anyone speaking the truth is dubbed as a "traitor" or "anti-national" and that cases of sedition have been slapped against those criticising the government. READ ON...

5:42 PM

Farmers in Bihar refuse to join stir despite Opposition attempts

Opposition parties' leaders in Bihar have organised human chains, tractor rallies, Raj Bhavan march, dharnas and protests in support of the farmers' agitation at the Delhi borders, but have failed to enthuse the farmers here to join the stir. They are still maintaining a distance from the protests, IANS reported.

 

Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, has appealed to the state's farmers to join the farmers' agitation. Apart from Tejashwi, Gurnam Singh Chaduni, a senior leader of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), who is involved in the farmers' agitation at Delhi's borders, came to Bihar and urged the farmers here to join the movement, but they are not enthusiastic about it. Many farmers in the region are not even aware of this movement.

4:56 PM

Farmers' Chakka jam: Delhi Police tightens security at border points near protest sites

Security at the city's border points near the three protest sites have been tightened by deploying extra forces and putting up multi-layered barricades, barbed wires and nails studded on the roads ahead of the proposed 'chakka jam' by farmers protesting the Centre's three agri laws, police said on Friday. Earlier in the day, Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava also held a meeting with the senior officers of the force and reviewed the security arrangements.'

 

The police will also be monitoring content on the social media to keep a watch on those spreading rumours against the force, PTI report said.Farmer unions on Monday had announced a countrywide 'chakka jam' on February 6 when they would block national and state highways for three hours in protest against the internet ban in areas near their agitation sites, harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities, and other issues.

 

Elaborating about the security arrangements for the proposed 'chakka jam', Delhi Police PRO Chinmoy Biswal said in view of the violence that took place on January 26, adequate security arrangements have been put in place by the Delhi Police at the borders so that miscreants are not able enter the national capital.

4:31 PM

No road blockade in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand tomorrow: BKU Leader Rakesh Tikait

3:54 PM

Farmers can withdraw from contract at any point: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar

Amid the Opposition's continuous attack on the government in Parliament over the farmers protests, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar on Friday said that as per the Centre's three new farm laws, farmers can terminate their contract at any time and can withdraw from their agreement without any penalty.

 

Earlier in the day, Congress member in the Rajya Sabha from Haryana Deepender Hooda lashed out at the Centre for the serious situation arising out of the farmers' movement.

 

Tomar said that contract farming in Punjab has provisions that may land a farmer in jail with a fine of upto Rs 5 lakh, whereas the central government's new farm legislation gives complete liberty to a farmer. The Minister said that there are about 20-22 states who have incorporated such provisions in contract farming.

 

"We brought Trade Act, a provision was made that areas outside APMC will be trade area, can be a farmer's home also. It will not attract any tax. Within APMC, States levy tax. The Centre's act abolishes the tax outside APMC and State forces you to pay tax.

3:12 PM

Chakka jam to be held peacefully pan-India, says farm leader Rakesh Tikait

Ahead of the February 6 'chakka jam' by agitating farmers, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday said the nationwide protest will be peaceful and added that there will be no 'chakka jam' in Delhi.

 

"We have been protesting peacefully and the 'chakka jam' will also be held peacefully across the country on February 6. There will be no chakka jam anywhere in Delhi. The farmers who are unable to join us will hold chakka jam at their respective places," said Tikait.

 

"The people who get stuck will be given food and water, we will peacefully talk to them and explain our point," he added. Earlier, Tikait told reporters that there will be a three-hour-long chakka jam on February 6 everywhere outside Delhi. READ ON...

2:35 PM

Anyone speaking truth dubbed as traitor, anti-national, repeal farm laws: Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena on Friday charged that anyone speaking the truth is dubbed as a "traitor" or "anti-national" and that cases of sedition have been slapped against those criticising the government. Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in Rajya Sabha, Sena member Sanjay Raut said farmers fighting for their rights have been branded as anti-nationals or Khalistanis, PTI reported.

 

He said the farmers, who were known as 'warriors' when they fought the Mughals and the British, are now dubbed as anti-nationals when they are fighting for their rights on Delhi's borders.

 

Raut said farmers from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, who are sitting on the borders of Delhi, are fighting for the peasants from across the country and demanded that their voice be heard and the farm laws be repealed.

2:21 PM

Rashtriya Loktantrik Party holds tractor rally in Jaipur to protest against farm laws

1:58 PM

Govt's offer to amend farm laws doesn't mean shortcomings in legislations: Agriculture Minister

Putting up a strong defence of the new farm laws, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said the government's offer to amend them to assuage farmers' sentiments did not mean they had any flaws and that none from the protesting unions or their sympathisers have been able to point out any lacuna. Countering the opposition claim that farmers across the country are agitated over the three new laws, he said that those in just one state are being misinformed and instigated.

 

His comments in Rajya Sabha referred to protests at the border points of the national capital being led by farmers from Punjab.

 

The government, he said, is committed to welfare of farmers and to the continuation of the mandi system of procurement of crops on minimum support price (MSP) based mechanism. The laws give farmers alternatives to sell their produce outside 'mandis', and unlike the state government notified market places, such sale would not attract any tax.

1:33 PM

Mia Khalifa reiterates support for farmers protest amid criticism

Former adult star Mia Khalifa on Friday said she is "still standing with the farmers" after her comments, criticising the treatment being meted to the protesting farmers, drew sharp reactions.

 

A tweet by international pop star Rihanna on Tuesday, triggered a wave of support for protesting farmers with a number of global celebrities, activists and politicians expressing their solidarity with them. Khalifa too had shared a tweet.

 

The government had criticised the tweets by Rihanna and other celebrities, saying facts on the issue must be ascertained before people rushing to comment on the issue, calling it "neither accurate nor responsible".

1:13 PM

Farmers protest: Delhi Police to seek info from Google on authors of 'Toolkit'

Delhi Police is set to write to Google to get the IP (internet protocol) address or the location from where the 'Toolkit' document was created and uploaded on the social media platform.

 

According to Police sources, this inquiry is being done to identify the authors of the 'Toolkit' which was shared on Google Docs.

 

"Delhi Police is going to write to Google to get the IP address or the location from where the doc was made and uploaded on the social media platform. This is being done to identify the authors of the toolkit which was shared on the Google Doc," Delhi Police sources said.

 

Addressing a press conference here, Delhi Police Special Commissioner Praveer Ranjan on Thursday said they had registered a case against creators of 'Toolkit' and no one had been named in the FIR.

1:05 PM

Farmers protest: Delhi Police to seek info from Google on authors of 'Toolkit'

Delhi Police is set to write to Google to get the IP (internet protocol) address or the location from where the 'Toolkit' document was created and uploaded on the social media platform.

 

According to Police sources, this inquiry is being done to identify the authors of the 'Toolkit' which was shared on Google Docs.

 

"Delhi Police is going to write to Google to get the IP address or the location from where the doc was made and uploaded on the social media platform. This is being done to identify the authors of the toolkit which was shared on the Google Doc," Delhi Police sources said.

8:22 AM

Farmers' protest: Tikait says chakka jam to be pan-India except in Delhi

He said the blockade will not be done in Delhi but will take place in other parts of the National Capital Region, which comprises parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, and the rest of country including the southern states.

 

Dilli mein hum nahi kar rahe, wahan to raja ne khud qile-bandi kar li hai humare jaam karne ki zaroorat hi nahi hai (We are not going to do anything in Delhi, the king there has already fortified it, there is no need for us to do a blockade now), he told reporters here.

 

On the proposed 'chakka jaam', he said, There will be a three-hour blockade on roads. It won't happen in Delhi but other parts of the country. The vehicles which will come and stop will be given water and food. Items like 'chana' and peanuts will also be distributed to these people and we will apprise them of what the government is doing with us.