Farmers' Protest Updates: 'Opposition sat over Swaminathan committee report for years, we implemented it,' PM tells farmers

Smriti Irani slams Opposition for criticism over farm laws

Union minister Smriti Irani on Friday slammed the Opposition parties for their criticism for the Centre’s new farm laws and their support for the farmers’ protests.

“PM Narendra Modi provided Rs 8 lakh crores in MSP to farmers during his tenure compared to Rs 3.5 lakh crores which UPA provided in 10 yrs of their tenure. What did they do when they were the ruling party?” she said, at a farmer meeting in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut.

She added, “The Opposition says that the one who made the bills isn’t a farmer. The one who talks of producing 40-inch potato is he a farmer? Is Sonia Gandhi a farmer? The one who actually did something for farmers is PM Narendra Modi.”

‘Failed political players’ misleading farmers, says Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Slamming Opposition leaders for their stance against the new farm laws, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has alleged that “failed political players” who have been rejected repeatedly by the people are acting under their “depression of defeat” and “misleading” the farmers.

The Minority Affairs Minister also lashed out at Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that the Congress leader was “posing” as a farmers’ leader despite knowing little about farming, while the Delhi chief minister was “karne mein zero, dharne mein hero (zero in work, but hero in sit-ins)”.

Farmers throughout the country are satisfied that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked for their empowerment and interests after coming to power, Naqvi told PTI.

Take credit for reforms but don’t mislead farmers,’ PM tells opposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged political parties to “keep all the credit for their old election manifestos” which had reportedly promised agriculture sector reforms and asked them to stop misguiding the farmers over the new farm laws.

“I request all political parties with folded hands, please keep all the credit. I am giving credit to all your old election manifestos. I just want ease in the life of farmers, I want their progress and want modernity in agriculture,” said PM Modi while addressing farmers at the ‘Kisan Kalyan’ event in Raisen through video conferencing.

Hopeful to reach solution before year ends: Narendra Singh Tomar

As formal talks to end farmers’ agitation against three farm laws remain deadlocked, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said the government is continuing informal discussions with various groups to end the stalemate but there was no point talking to those “shooting from peasants’ shoulders”.

The minister also hoped that a resolution should be reached before the year ends and asserted that the Modi government is committed to address all genuine concerns of the farming community.

He put the blame on opposition parties for misleading the farmers and accused them of changing their stance on the reform process and politicising the issue.

PM attacks Opposition for lying about removal of MSP

“If we’d to remove MSP, why would we implement Swaminathan Commission report? Our govt is serious about the MSP, that’s why we declare it before sowing season every year. This makes it easy for farmers to make calculations,” said Narendra Modi on Friday.

BJP implemented Swaminathan committee report in interest of farmers: PM 

Opposition parties sat over the Swaminathan committee report for years; we have implemented it in interest of farmers, said Narendra Modi while addressing the farmers in Madhya Pradesh through video conference.

BJP govt has give more to farmers by purchasing wheat and paddy: PM

The BJP government has given more than 8 lakh crore rupees to farmers on the purchase of paddy and wheat on MSP in the past five years, said Narendra Modi during the ‘Kisan Kalyan’ event on Friday.

“While in the last five years of the previous government, farmers received only 3 lakh 74 thousand crore rupees by purchasing wheat and paddy,” he said.

Organic fertilizer plants being set up: Modi

Narendra Modi said that organic fertilizer plants are being set up in Bihar, Jharkhand and Gorakhpur. “This will create employment as well as provide urea to farmers for cultivation,” said the prime minister.

Congress upset as Modi govt brought farm laws: PM at Kisan Kalyan event

“There were demands for the reforms from parties, experts, progressive farmers for many years. The previous governments had made promises to the farmers but never delivered. They are upset because what they had only talked about, Modi has done that,” Narendra Modi said addressing the farmers in Madhya Pradesh through video conferencing at a state-level Kisan Sammelan  organised in Raisen district.

Agri reform laws did not come overnight: PM 

Defending the farm laws, Narendra Modi at Kisan Kalyan event at Raisen said, “If the old manifestos of all the political parties of the country are seen today, let their old statements be heard, the letters of those who were earlier handling the country’s agricultural system are seen, then the agricultural reforms that have taken place today are no different from them.”

Modi attacks Congress, says party ignored farmers

While attacking the Congress rule in Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “two years ago, the party had promised farmers that they will lay off their debt, but those promises were not met…but no protest was held then…the party ignore farmers in the country.”

मध्य प्रदेश में किसान सम्मेलन को संबोधित करते हुए... https://t.co/Rli3e8o9xF

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2020

Modi addresses ‘Kisan Kalyan event’ in Madhya Pradesh

Rs 16,000 cr will be transferred to 35 lakh farmers of Madhya Pradesh today: PM 

“Today Rs 16 thousand crores are being transferred into the bank accounts of 35 lakh farmers of Madhya Pradesh,” said Narendra Modi on Friday during the address to farmers at the ‘Kisan Kalyan’ event in Raisen.

Madhya Pradesh: PM Narendra Modi addresses farmers at the 'Kisan Kalyan' event in Raisen through video conferencing.

"Today Rs 16 thousand crores are being transferred into the bank accounts of 35 lakhs farmers of Madhya Pradesh," he said. https://t.co/1upUdwdYVS pic.twitter.com/K9SU8aeIgQ

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2020

‘Modi govt wants to double income of farmers,’ says Madhya Pradesh CM

In the Kisan Kalyan event in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the BJP government wants to double the income of farmers. 

“Prime minister wants to double the income of farmers. Mandis won’t be closed at all. Congress is shedding crocodile tears, Kamalnath had distributed fake loan waiver certificates” he said.

Where to watch PM’s adress to Madhya Pradesh farmers:

पीएम श्री @narendramodi 18 दिसंबर 2020 को वीडियो कॉन्फ़्रेंसिंग के माध्यम से मध्य प्रदेश में होने वाले किसान सम्मेलनों को संबोधित करेंगे।

लाइव देखें

• https://t.co/vpP0MI6iTu
• https://t.co/KrGm5hWgwn
• https://t.co/lcXkSnweeN
• https://t.co/jtwD1yPhm4#ModiWithFarmers pic.twitter.com/KmCzbKg7nm

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 17, 2020

PM to begin address to Madhya Pradesh farmers at 2 pm 

A large number of farmers will attend the Mahasammelan in Madhya Pradesh on Friday which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing at 2 pm.

About 1,000 farmers will be present in all the 52 district headquarters of the state to participate in the Mahasammelan virtually while about 500 farmers will be present in all 313 Janpad Panchayats of the state.

Puducherry CM observes day-long hunger strike in support of farmers

Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy along with members of several parties sat on a day-long hunger strike in support of farmers protesting against the three Central farm laws on Friday.

“Today in Puducherry on behalf United Progressive Alliance, the leaders of the Congress party, CPI, CPI(M), MDMK, DMK and other parties are sitting on one-day hunger strike in support of farmers protesting against the three farms laws in Delhi,” Narayanasamy told ANI.

1.11 cr farmers pre-registered till 8 am for PM’s address: Madhya Pradesh MP

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said, “1.11 crore farmers pre-registered till 8 am for today’s event where we’ll be depositing the first installment in farmers’ accounts whose crops were damaged. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join the event via video conference to address farmers.”

1.11 crore farmers pre-registered till 8am for today's event where we'll be depositing the first installment in farmers' accounts whose crops were damaged. PM will join the event via video conference to address farmers: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan pic.twitter.com/KD89PkKrkO

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2020

UP farmers get Rs 50 lakh notice for ‘breach of peace’, police say will revise sum

Days after six farmer leaders in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, were asked to submit personal bonds of Rs 50 lakh each for allegedly trying to “instigate” local farmers to join the agitation against the Centre’s new agri reforms, police Friday said the amount was a “clerical error” and will be reduced.

The notices were issued on Thursday by the district administration in Sambhal to six farmer leaders, including Bharatiya Kisan Union (Asli) Sambhal district president Rajpal Singh on Thursday.

On Friday, Kumar Singh, Circle Officer, Sambhal told the Indian Express , “The SDM is currently on leave and once he comes back we will look to issue a bond of Rs 50,000 since the earlier one was a clerical error.”

Sambhal SP Chakresh Mishra said that fresh notices will be issued following the error.

DMK, allies begin hunger strike in support of farmers

The DMK-led opposition in Tamil Nadu began a day-long hunger strike in support of farmers protesting against the agricultural laws, PTI reported. DMK chief and Leader of Opposition MK Stalin, party MP Kanimozhi and leaders of alliance parties also participated in the protest in Chennai on Friday.

Farmers’ protests now get weekly newsletter Trolly Times

At least 2,000 copies of a four-page bi-weekly newsletter called Trolley Times were released at the Singhu and Tikri borders on Friday, The Indian Express reported.

‘Judaange, Ladaange, Jeetange!’ is the page-one headline of the first issue, which has photographs, cartoons, poems, news reports and opinion pieces written by union leaders and protesting farmers. Of the four pages, one is in Hindi.

Modi to speak on farm laws’ ‘benefits’ in address to MP farmers

Narendra Modi will address farmers in Madhya Pradesh today as massive farmer protests near Delhi against three central laws continue unabated. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at 2 pm will be via video link and will be telecast to around 23,000 villages,” officials said on Friday.

Make agriculture climate-resilient, profitable & sustainable, says Venkaiah Naidu

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday called for making agriculture climate-resilient, profitable and sustainable, while ensuring remunerative prices to farmers as well as food and nutritional security to millions of people.

He also said that farmers must be allowed to sell their produce anywhere in the country, and the principle of a common market for the entire country was behind the conception of e-NAM and it must be expanded.

Won’t give up fight against agri reforms: Farmer union leader

As the ongoing farmers’ agitation continued for 23rd day, Dayal Singh, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, was quoted by ANI as saying, “Narendra Modi should talk to the farmers and take back the farm laws. We will not give up our fight against these laws.”

Singhu border: Farmers' protest against the three farm laws passed by the Centre has entered its 23rd day today

"PM should talk to the farmers & take back the farm laws. We will not give up our fight against these laws,"says Dayal Singh, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab pic.twitter.com/74oHpoNTVU

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2020

Sundarlal Bahuguna extends support to farmers

Chipko movement leader Sundarlal Bahuguna extended his support to farmers protesting against the three contentious farm laws on Friday. He said, “I support the demands of the annadatas.”

Chipko movement leader Sundarlal Bahuguna extends his support to farmers protesting against the three farm laws, says, "I support the demands of the 'annadatas' ". pic.twitter.com/ni9cMuwKFx

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2020

Union leaders to consult top lawyers, including Prashant Bhushan, on SC proceedings

The agitating farmer unions at the Delhi borders on Thursday said that they will consult lawyers on the ongoing proceedings of the Supreme Court related to their protests against three farm laws before taking any decision.

Addressing a press conference on Singhu border on Thursday evening, farmers leader and coordinator of Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh KV Biju said, “All farmer unions had a meeting today and we have decided that we will consult four Supreme Court lawyers – Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves – about the ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court… We will neither comment on the matter nor announce any decision without consulting these lawyers.”

Farmers go digital to reach masses

The protesting farmers set up a Twitter handle called Kisan Ekta Morcha on 16 December to put their demands and point of views across on social media to reach the masses.

Bihar man cycles for 11 days to join farmers’ stir near Delhi border

Satyadev Manjhi, a 60-year-old man from Bihar’s Siwan reached Tikri at Delhi-Haryana border on Thursday, after completing a journey of nearly 1,000 kilometres in 11 days on a bicycle to participate in the ongoing farmers’ protest against agricultural laws.

Speaking to ANI, Manjhi urged the Central government to repeal the three farm laws. “It took me 11 days to reach here from Siwan, my home district. I urge the government to take back the three farm laws. I will be here until the movement is not over,” he said.

Farmers prepare for longer stay at Singhu border

Protesting farmers at Singhu border said that they are making more arrangements of tents to face cold weather conditions in the National Capital. “We’re preparing ourselves for a longer stay as our fight against black laws will continue. It’s getting colder, so we’re putting more tents,” said a protester.

Delhi: Protesting farmers at Singhu border say they're making more tent arrangements to face cold weather conditions.

"We're preparing ourselves for a longer stay as our fight against black laws will continue. It's getting colder, so we're putting more tents," says a protester. pic.twitter.com/7Jd1yBccFP

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2020

DMK observes one-day fast in support of protesting farmers

DMK and its allies are observing one-day fast in Chennai, in support of farmers protesting against the contentious farm laws passed by the Centre.  

DMK President MK Stalin questioned the Centre why the agri reforms were being brought into place without any discussion. He said, “The central government said that those protesting against the farm laws are anti-nationals. We condemn it. We stand in support of the farmers.”

The protest is being held without the permission of police officials. Though permission was sort, it was denied citing COVID-19 pandemic.

Narendra Modi to virtually address Madhya Pradesh farmers today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak about the “beneficial provisions” of the new farm laws during his virtual address to the farmers of Madhya Pradesh on Friday as part of a state-level programme, a senior official said.

An official of the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on Thursday said Modi would address the farmers in the state around 2 pm.

Agitation enters 23rd day as farmers demand complete repeal of agri reforms

Farmers’ agitation against the three contentious farm laws entered Day 23 on Friday and, as of now, impasse continues between the government and farmers’ unions.