Farmers' protest LIVE: 'Rail Roko' across India on Feb 18, says agri union

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: 'Agitating farmers were not aiming at any change in power at the Centre', said Rakesh Tikait

10:48 PM

Jan 26 violence: Court asks police to upload on its website FIRs lodged at Nangloi PS

A court here has directed the Delhi police to upload on its website all the FIRs that were registered at the Nangloi police station in connection to the violence on Republic Day during farmers' tractor parade against the Centre's three new agri laws, according to PTI. Metropolitan Magistrate Abhinav Pandey said except where reasons have been communicated to the court, all the FIRs should be uploaded so that the representatives of the accused persons do not have to run from pillar to post.

The court, however, declined to supply arrest memo, remand order and remand application to the accused, saying no ground was made out to supply the documents to him at the stage of investigation and can only be supplied after cognisance of the charge sheet has been taken.

Regarding the FIRs, it said in order to plead effectively for bail before the court, the accused needs to know the substance of allegations against him, alongwith the prima facie basis for such allegations, and therefore, supply of copy of FIR to such an accused was a necessary element of natural justice and fair trial.

10:47 PM

Farmers' agitation: Solution should be found without further delay, says JJP

The JJP, a coalition partner of the BJP in Haryana, on Wednesday asserted that a solution to the ongoing farmers' agitation will have to be found without further delay, according ti PTI. JJP leader Digvijay Singh Chautala said senior leaders of his party were in regular touch with the Centre on the issue.

Thousands of farmers are protesting at Delhi's borders since November last year against the new agri laws demanding they be repealed. The farmers who are sitting (on protest), we are really concerned for them, they are our family members, Digvijay Singh Chautala, who heads the party's student wing Indian National Students Organisation, told reporters here after launching INSO's new website and mobile app.
 

Digvijay Singh Chautala, brother of Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala and son of Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) chief Ajay Singh Chautala, while replying to questions on farmers' issue, said The NDA dispensation is a government of farmers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pro-farmer.

8:56 PM

Farm laws: PM cites 'Churchill Cigar Assistant' anecdote to underline need for change

Defending the farm laws as much needed reforms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday underlined that change is essential and cited the case of CCA, a British era post in Tamil Nadu for supplying cigars to then UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill that was not abolished till several decades after independence. Speaking in Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President for his address, Modi said change and reforms are essential for the progress of every modern society.

 

He also mentioned social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Jyotiba Phule and B R Ambedkar who had the courage to push for reforms in society against the prevailing norms. Stressing that still water leads to diseases while moving water instills new energy, Modi said he opposes the mindset of "status quo" and asserted that the young generation wouldn't wait long for change.

 

"One should take responsibility and decide according to the needs of the country. This mindset of 'status quo' has also played havoc in stopping the country's progress. Till when will we continue with this status quo," Modi said.

8:35 PM

Protesting farmers announce four-hour nationwide 'rail roko' on Feb 18

Intensifying their agitation against the three new agricultural laws, protesting farmer unions Wednesday announced a four-hour nationwide 'rail roko' (railway blockade) on February 18. In a statement, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which is spearheading the protest, also announced that toll collection will not be allowed in Rajasthan from February 12.

 

"There will be a 'rail roko' across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm on February 18," the SKM said in the statement.

 

Earlier this month, they had observed a three-hour road blockade to press their demand of repealing the three laws.

 

Thousands of farmers have been protesting against the three laws which were enacted in September last year. The protesters have been alleging the laws will weaken the MSP mechanism and end the mandi system. But the government says the new legislations offer more options to farmers to sell their crops, and will help raise their incomes.

8:24 PM

Toll collection won't be allowed in Rajasthan from Feb 12: Samyukta Kisan Morcha

Toll collection won't be allowed in Rajasthan from Feb 12: Samyukta Kisan Morcha statement.

8:02 PM

Protesting farmers announce four-hour nationwide 'rail roko' on Feb 18

Intensifying their agitation against the three new agricultural laws, protesting farmer unions Wednesday announced a four-hour nationwide 'rail roko' (railway blockade) on February 18. In a statement, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which is spearheading the protest, also announced that toll collection will not be allowed in Rajasthan from February 12.

 

"There will be a 'rail roko' across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm on February 18," the SKM said in the statement.

 

Earlier this month, they had observed a three-hour road blockade to press their demand of repealing the three laws.

 

Thousands of farmers have been protesting against the three laws which were enacted in September last year. The protesters have been alleging the laws will weaken the MSP mechanism and end the mandi system. But the government says the new legislations offer more options to farmers to sell their crops, and will help raise their incomes.

7:53 PM

'Rail Roko' across India on Feb 18 from 12 to 4 pm: Samyukta Kisan Morcha

On February 16, the farmers will show solidarity throughout the country on the birth anniversary of Sir Chhoturam. Rail roko program will be held on February 18 from 12 to 4 pm across the country: Dr Darshan Pal, Samyukta Kisan Morcha

7:36 PM

Grandfather of farmer who died in tractor rally moves HC for probe

The grandfather of the farmer who had died in Delhi's ITO area while participating in the tractor rally on Republic Day has moved the Delhi High Court seeking court-monitored SIT probeinto the incident, an IANS report said.

 

On January 26, Navreet Singh died after his tractor overturned after ramming into police barricades. The accident was captured on CCTV camera. Deceased's grandfather Hardeep Singh has, however, claimed that he was allegedly shot by policemen, due to which he lost control of the vehicle. The Delhi Police had released a video showing a protester speeding and running over barricades with his tractor near ITO, resulting in the vehicle overturning. A post-mortem report revealed that the protester died due to the accident.

 

The plea has sought for a court-appointed and monitored Special Investigation Team probe. It also sought the SIT file periodic status reports to ensure time-bound court-monitored investigation.

7:18 PM

Agitating farmers not aiming change in power at Centre: Rakesh Tikait

BKU leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday asserted that the agitating farmers were not aiming at any change in power at the Centre but a solution to their problems as he said many of their leaders will tour different parts of the country to spread the movement.

 

Addressing the protesting farmers at Singhu border, Tikait said that the agitation against the farm laws will stretch till the Centre addresses their issues. "We do not aim change in power (at the Centre). The government should do its work. We want it to repeal the farm laws and ensure law on MSP," he said.

 

Tikait said that the agitation will be long drawn and continue till government starts talks with farmer leaders. READ MORE...

 

6:40 PM

PM Modi said nothing for people who died during farmers' agitation: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

6:26 PM

Govt, Parliament have great respect for farmers; old system will continue: PM Modi

The government and Parliament have great respect for farmers who are voicing their views on the three farm bills, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday, and made it clear that those who want to continue with the old agriculture marketing system can continue doing so.

 

Replying in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi staunchly defended the three contentious farms laws and attacked the opposition for "misleading" farmers, saying those who are disrupting the House are doing so as per a "well-planned strategy" as they are unable to digest that people can see the truth.

 

"Through their games, the trust of the people can never be won," he said, amidst protests by the opposition members.

 

During his over 90-minute address, the Prime Minister slammed the Congress as "divided and confused party" for its different stands in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the debate.

6:13 PM

Farm reforms needed, 'status quo' doesn't achieve things: PM Modi

The government respects "farmers' sentiments" but reforms in agriculture are necessary for the country’s progress, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, defending laws it enacted in September that have sparked protests by cultivators.

 

"Status quo cannot change things—the youth of the country cannot wait," he said in the Lok Sabha while replying to the motion of thanks on the President’s address to Parliament.

 

Demanding the repeal of three new farm laws that they say will hurt them to the benefit of large corporations and allow the government to discontinue buying food grains at a minimum support price (MSP), tens of thousands of farmers have been camped on the outskirts of Delhi since late 2020. READ ON...

6:12 PM

New farm laws are 'optional, not compulsory': PM Modi in Parliament

Asserting that the central government honours the farmers and it is ready to accept their logical suggestions on the three contentious farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday declared that these laws are "optional and not compulsory". The Prime Minister made the announcement while speaking on the motion of thanks on the President's address in the Lok Sabha, IANS reported.

 

In the backdrop of the ongoing farmers' agitation on Delhi's borders for over two months, Modi said "rumours are being spread that these laws are against the farmers".

 

The Prime Minister said that these laws were passed in Parliament in view of reforms in the agriculture sector as it was the need of the hour. He asked "whether these three farm laws snatched the facilities of farmers which they were getting earlier?"

 

"There is no restriction on anyone. These laws do not create obstacles in the growth of farmers. These laws are optional, not compulsory. These acts neither stopped old 'Mandis' nor affected purchase of produce on Minimum Support Price (MSP)."

5:39 PM

Govt, Parliament have great respect for farmers, says PM in Lok Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the central government and the Parliament have great respect for the farmers who are voicing their views on the three farm bills and that is why top most ministers have been talking to them.

 

Replying in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi again allayed apprehensions on the farm laws, saying neither any agriculture 'mandi' (market) has shut down after the three laws were enacted nor has the MSP stopped, rather the MSP has only increased which no one can deny.

 

"This House, our government and we all respect farmers who are voicing their views on the farm bills. This is the reason why topmost ministers of the government are constantly talking to them. There is great respect for farmers.

 

"After the laws relating to agriculture were passed by Parliament, no 'mandi' has shut. Likewise, MSP has remained. Procurement on MSP has remained. These facts can't be ignored," he said.

5:12 PM

No mandis were shut, MSP did not end after farm laws: Modi