Farmers' Protest Updates: Modi urges 'all farmers' to read Tomar's letter supporting farm laws

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

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

An official of the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on Thursday said the prime minister would address the farmersin the state around 2 pm. The MP government has organised a state-level ‘Kisan Kalyan’ event in Raisen district, wherein Chief MinisterShivraj Singh will transfer the relief amount of Rs 1,600crore into the bank accounts of nearly 35.50 lakh farmers forthe damaged kharif crops, the official said.

Nearly 20,000 farmers will take part in the state-level programme in Raisen, he added. “After the chief minister’s speech, PM Modi willaddress the farmers of the state around 2 pm through video-conference and explain to them in detail the beneficialprovisions of the new agricultural laws,” he said.

Farmer leaders to consult senior lawyers for next course of action

Farmer leaders on Thursday said they will consult senior lawyers, including Colin Gonsalves, Dushyant Dave and Prashant Bhushan, before deciding the next course of action after the Supreme Court said it was thinking of setting up an “impartial and independent” panel of agriculture experts and peasants’ unions to resolve the deadlock over the contentious farm laws. The protesting farmer leaders welcomed the apex court’s move to acknowledge the right of farmers to non-violent protests, but asserted that their agitation will continue until a concrete solution is found.

“We will meet senior lawyers Colin Gonsalves, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Prashant Bhushan on Friday and consult them about what can be done,” Abhimanyu Kohar, a leader of the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, told PTI. He said the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of around 40 farmer unions protesting at Delhi’s border points, has not received any notice from the Supreme Court, adding that it will comment on the matter only after seeing a copy of the court’s order.

Kejriwal indulged in cheap theatrics by tearing copies of farm laws: Harsimrat

Former union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday accused Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of indulging in “cheap theatrics” by tearing copies of the farm laws. She said his government in Delhi was among the first to notify one of the central laws related to agriculture, reports PTI.

In a statement, Badal said the Delhi chief minister was known as a “dramebaaz” but this time he indulged in “cheap theatrics” and “unparalleled hypocrisy” by tearing the same laws in the Vidhan Sabha, one of which he had notified on 23 November.

“The Delhi chief minister is only shedding crocodile tears in a desperate bid to wipe away the blot he has put on his name by rushing to notify the farm laws on the directions of the central government. These dramas however won’t help.

“Farmers know that Kejriwal and AAP have never supported their struggle and Kejriwal has always danced to the tune of the central government,” she alleged.

Opposition’s anger over Ram temple reason for farmer protests, says Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath claims that the Opposition is lending support to the farmers’ agitation to fuel unrest in the country because they “cannot tolerate” Prime Minister Modi’s plan to construct a Ram temple in Ayodhya, reports NDTV . “Those who cannot tolerate that a grand Ram temple is being built in Ayodhya are angry because Modi has even kickstarted the construction of a grand Ram temple,” the Bharatiya Janata Party leader says.

PM Modi urges all farmers to read Tomar’s letter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the Union agriculture minister’s letter by urging people to read it. “I request all the farmers to read it. The countrymen are also urged to make it reach to as many people as possible,” his tweet read in Hindi.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday wrote a letter addressed to farmers, where he reiterated that the government is ready to give a written assurance regarding the MSP. He also said some vested groups are trying to create confusion in the minds of the farmers.

कृषि मंत्री @nstomar जी ने किसान भाई-बहनों को पत्र लिखकर अपनी भावनाएं प्रकट की हैं, एक विनम्र संवाद करने का प्रयास किया है। सभी अन्नदाताओं से मेरा आग्रह है कि वे इसे जरूर पढ़ें। देशवासियों से भी आग्रह है कि वे इसे ज्यादा से ज्यादा लोगों तक पहुंचाएं। https://t.co/9B4d5pyUF1

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 17, 2020

Farm-law impasse should be resolved through dialogue: BKU chief

Bharatiya Kisan Union president Naresh Tikait said farmers did not want conflict during the protest against the new farm laws and the issue should be resolved through dialogue, as per PTI. Tikait said the Centre should repeal the farm laws in the public interest, adding that the contentious legislations were not in favour of the farmers.

Addressing the media in Muzaffarnagar before his departure to Delhi, Tikait suggested that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, BJP veteran L K Advani and RLD leader Ajit Singh should be part of the dialogue to resolve the issue.

Ghazipur border closed: Delhi Traffic Police

Earlier, the Delhi Traffic Police had tweeted that due to farmers protests, the Ghazipur border between is closed for traffic coming from Ghaziabad to Delhi

Traffic Alert,
Gazipur border is closed for traffic coming from Ghaziabad to Delhi due to farmers protests. People are advised to take alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Apsara & Bhopra borders.

— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) December 17, 2020

Next hearing after winter vacation, says SC

According to India Today, hearing of petitions on farmers’ protests will now take place in January, after the winter vacations. However, the pendency of these matters will not prevent the parties from resolving the issue amicably, LiveLaw quotes the court as saying. “In order to bring about an effective solution to the present stalemate between the protesters and the government, we consider it appropriate in the interests of justice to constitute a committee comprising of independent and impartial persons including experts in the field of agriculture” and sought suggestions about the constitution of the committee.

In order to bring about an effective solution to the present stalemate between the protesters and Govt, we consider it appropriate in the interests of justice to constitute a Committee comprising of independent and impartial persons including experts in the field of Agriculture

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) December 17, 2020

Protest should be allowed to continue without breach of peace: SC order

The Supreme Court says it will not interfere with the farmers protest against three farms laws. “We’re of the view at this stage that the farmers’ protest should be allowed to continue without impediment and without any breach of peace either by the protesters or police,” the order said.  “Indeed the right to protest is part of a fundamental right and can as a matter of fact, be exercised subject to public order,” LiveLaw quotes the court as saying.

Read Today's #SupremeCourt Order in #FarmersProtest case

"We are of the view at this stage that the farmers’ protest should be allowed to continue without impediment and without any breach of peace either by the protesters or the police" pic.twitter.com/Zp13K7t2gJ

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) December 17, 2020

White lies being peddled by those with vested political interests, alleges Tomar

In the letter, Tomar alleged that those with vested political interests were spreading “white lies” about issues like continuation of MSP, APMCs and about contract farming in India. The minister reiterated that the government was ready to provide a written assurance on MSP and said that state governments can be allowed to levy tax on private markets outside the APMCs.

आप विश्वास रखिये, किसानों के हितों में किये गए ये सुधार भारतीय कृषि में नए अध्याय की नींव बनेंगे, देश के किसानों को और स्वतंत्र करेंगे, सशक्त करेंगे। pic.twitter.com/bwA17HXph3

— Narendra Singh Tomar (@nstomar) December 17, 2020

Agri minister pens open letter to protesting farmers

Union Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar penned an eight-page open letter to farmers agitating against the Centre’s three farm laws, requesting them to not believe in the “white lies” being spread by some people that MSP will be stopped. In the letter, Tomar claimed that new laws have created a ray of hope amongst many farmers and examples of the new laws benefitting farmers have also been seen across the country. However, he said, myths are being created among different organisations about these laws.  “As the agriculture minister of the country, my duty is to dispel the confusion and anxiety faced by every farmer.  A wall of lies and conspiracies is being created between the Centre and farmers and its is my responsibility to bring forward the truth and reality before you”.

सभी किसान भाइयों और बहनों से मेरा आग्रह !

"सबका साथ सबका विकास सबका विश्वास" के मंत्र पर चलते हुए प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के नेतृत्व में हमारी सरकार ने बिना भेदभाव सभी का हित करने का प्रयास किया है। विगत 6 वर्षों का इतिहास इसका साक्षी है।#ModiWithFarmers pic.twitter.com/Ty6GchESUG

— Narendra Singh Tomar (@nstomar) December 17, 2020

Delhi HC declines plea for providing aid, security and treatment to protesting farmers

The Delhi High Court declined to entertain a plea seeking aid, security and treatment of the farmers protesting on the borders of the national capital, saying a similar issue was before the Supreme Court. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan also said that the high court’s jurisdiction does not extend to areas outside the national capital territory and added that the same plea could have been filed in any of the high courts of Rajasthan, Punjab or Uttar Pradesh.

PTI

Farmers to engage four SC lawyers: reports

The Sanyukta Kisam Morch, an umbrella body of around 40 farmers unions,  decides to form a four- member internal committee to deal with all issues arising from the Supreme Court’s intervention in the  farmers protest under the leadership of Balbir Singh Rajewal ( BKU, Rajewal), reports CNN-News18.  As per reports, the farmers will  consult with four senior Supreme Court advocates-  Prashant Bhushan,Colin Golsalves, Dushyant Dave and HS Phoolka.

Centre doesn’t seem to sympathise with protesters,says NCP

NCP leader Mahesh Tapse said some farmers have laid down their lives for the cause and the BJP government at the Centre “does not seem to be sympathising with the protesters”.Hence, the issue has to be resolved at the Parliament-level, he said.

Convene special session of Parliament to address farmers’ concerns: NCP

The NCP demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi convene a special session of Parliament to address the  concerns of the agitating peasants.  “We are observing since the last 22 days that thousands of farmers are in the vicinity of Delhi and opposing the farm laws which were hurriedly passed (in Parliament) by the Modi government. The NCP demands that the Prime Minister convene a special session of Parliament, where the farmers concerns and apprehensions are addressed,” NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapse said.

PTI

Meeting at BJP HQ concludes

The BJP meeting about the farmers agitation at the party headquarter has drawn to an end, reports India Today. As per reports, Union home minister Amit Shah, and agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar have left from the venue. The meeting assumes significance on the backdrop of the issue of the farmers protest reaching the Supreme Court.

Delhi Assembly passes resolution against farm laws

The Delhi Assembly passed a resolution calling for the Centre’s  three farm laws to be “repealed”, reported The Hindu . The resolution was tabled by Kaislah Gahlot in a special one-day session of the Assembly.  Kejriwal backed the  resolution saying he cannot betray the farmers. 

“I am pained that I have to do this. I did not intend to, but I cannot betray the farmers of my country who have been sleeping on the streets in the cold when the temperature is just 2 degrees Celsius,” Kejriwal said, while tearing copies of the three laws. “I am a citizen of this country first, a chief minister later. This assembly rejects the three laws and appeals to the central government to meet the demands of farmers,” he said.

Kejriwal tears copies of farm laws in Delhi Assembly

Questioning the need for passing the three farms laws “in a hurry” during the pandemic, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tore copies of the three farms laws in a special session of the Delhi Assembly. I"t has happened for first time that three laws were passed without voting in Rajya Sabha" he said. Kejriwal observed that on an average one farmer has died everyday since the agitation started and also referred to the suicide by a Sikh preacher on Wednesday and said, " “I want to ask Centre how many sacrifices farmers will have to make, to get their voices heard.”

What was the hurry to get Farm Laws passed in Parliament during pandemic? It has happened for 1st time that 3 laws were passed without voting in Rajya Sabha...I hereby tear 3 Farm laws in this assembly & appeal Centre not to become worst than Britishers: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal https://t.co/zvc2Dx1w3E pic.twitter.com/rUOACIQwp3

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

Laws have been made for BJP’s election funds, alleges Arvind Kejriwal 

“The laws have not been made for farmers, they have been made for BJP’s funds for elections,” alleged Arvind Kejrwal in a special session of Delhi Assembly. Amid  “Dont become worse than the Britishers.. repeal the laws as it had been 20 days,” said the chief minister. “Every farmer has become Bhagat Singh. Govt is saying that they are reaching out to farmers and  trying to explain the benefits of Farm Bills. UP CM told farmers that they’ll benefit from these bills as their land won’t be taken away. Is this a benefit?,” ANI quotes him as saying.

Narendra Singh Tomar hold meeting at BJP HQ, say reports

Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar is holding a meeting with BJP general secretraries over the farm laws, reported News18. As per the Times of India, Home Minister Amit Shah and commerce minister Piyush Goyal have also reached the meeting.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar meets BJP general secretaries over the farm reform laws.

HM Amit Shah expected to join the meeting.@payalmehta100 with the details.

Join the broadcast with @AnushaSoni23. pic.twitter.com/I98gWZUMVX

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 17, 2020

Ready for more talks, say farmers at Tikri border

Farmers who have been protesting at the Tikri border of Delhi have said say they’re ready for more talks with govt but  won’t stop their agitation, reported news agency ANI. 

Delhi: Protesting farmers at Tikri border (Haryana-Delhi border) say they're ready for more talks with govt but won't give up protest.

"We're ready for more rounds of talks. Govt is taking SC's help now so their ego is not hurt. Table talks should be shown live," says a farmer pic.twitter.com/ZUoDpzkut0

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

Six farmer leaders issued notice in UP’s Sambhal

The Sambhal district administration in Uttar Pradesh has issued notices to six farmer leaders, including Bharatiya Kisan Union (Asli) district president Rajpal Singh Yadav and farmer leaders Jaiveer Singh, Brahmachari Yadav, Satendra Yadav, Raudas and Veer Singh, asking them to submit personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each, as a police report warned of breach of peace during the protest against the new farm laws, reported news agency PTI quoting an official. The leaders have been organising protests in the district over the Centre’s three contentious farm legislations.

“We’ve got a report from the Hayatnagar police station that some persons are inciting farmers and there can be breach of peace, and they should be asked to fill personal bonds of Rs 50 lakh each,” Subdivisional Magistrate Deependra Yadav said. The farmers said the amount was too much, following which the police station incharge gave another report and they were asked to submit personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each, according to Yadav. The notices have been issued under Section 111 ((magistrate order against any person who is likely to commit breach of peace) of the Code of Criminal Procedure on the basis of a report submitted by police, the official said.

MP Cong to protest against fuel price, new farm laws on 19 Dec 

The Opposition Congress in Madhya  Pradesh will hold a statewide protest on Saturday against the rise in fuel prices and the Centre’s three new farm laws, news agency PTI quote s state party spokesman Bhupendra Gupta .Talking to PTI, Gupta claimed the prices of fuel and cooking gas have hit the roof and that farmers across the country want the agri laws to be repealed. “We are going to demonstrate near the statues of Mahatma Gandhi in the state on 19  December. Protests will be held at every district and block level,” he said.

Salons open for protestors at Singhu border

A ‘salon sewa’ was started on Wednesday by a Haryana-based youth at the Singhu border protest site, The Hindu reported. In a video shared by NDTV , a section set aside for haircuts for protestors by Kurukshetra-based Crazy Beauty Salon was seen.

Narendra Modi to address farmers in Madhya Pradesh tomorrow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday address farmers in Madhya Pradesh.

The PM’s address will begin at 2 pm via video link and will be telecast to around 23,000 villagers in the state. Earlier this week, Modi had also met farmers in Gujarat’s Kutch as protests against the agricultural laws continued for the third week amid failed talks between protestors and Centre.

AAP MLA tears copy of farm laws in Delhi Assembly

AAP MLA Mahendra Goyal tore a copy of the Centre’s farm laws during a special Delhi assembly session called to discuss farmers’ agitation.

AAP has been a vocal critic of the farm laws and is among the parties that has supported the farmers’ protests. Delhi Chief Minister and party chief Arvind Kejriwal had last week alleged that he was kept under house arrest after meeting farmers at the Singhu border, a claim that the Centre denied.

Delhi: AAP MLA Mahendra Goyal tears copy of Centre's Farm Laws during a special Delhi assembly session called to discuss farmers' agitation.

"I refuse to accept these black laws which are against farmers,' he said while tearing the copy. pic.twitter.com/o4OQqvH5zS

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

SC asks Centre to put implementation of agri reforms on hold

CJI SA Bobde said the matter will be heard by a vacation bench as no farmers’ associations were present in court.

The chief justice of India asked Centre to consider putting the controversial farm laws on hold. “Do not preempt and please consider the suggestion. In the meantime, serve notice to the farmer organisations.”

Farmer dies near Tikri border

A 38-year-old farmer from Punjab was found dead at a protest site near the Tikri border on Thursday morning, police said.

Jai Singh, a resident of Tungwali village in Bathinda district, and his brother had been part of the farmers’ protest at the Haryana-Delhi border against the Centre’s three farm laws for the last several days, according to Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) leader Shingara Singh.

Jai Singh was found dead in the morning. The exact cause of the death could be ascertained after a post mortem, an official of the Bahadurgarh police in Haryana said.

Leave it to police to determine number of farmers allowed at protest sites: SC

The Supreme Court said it is not possible for the court to determine the number of people who will gather at Delhi’s Ram Leela Maidan. “We cannot ask others to determine it too. We leave it for the police, not the govt or the political parties but with police,” said CJI Bobde.

Farmers have right to protest but can’t block city: CJI

“Blocking Delhi may lead to people in the city going hungry. Farmers’ purpose can be fulfilled by talking. Just sitting in protest won’t help,” said Chief Justice of India during a hearing on farm laws.

Cannot extend right to protest to increase COVID-19 risk in Delhi: Harish Salve

Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for one of the petitioners, expressed concern over the crowding at protest sites in Delhi that might increase COVID-19 risk in the city.

“Today in COVD-19 times if you are increasing the risk of putting my life in danger. You cannot extend this right (to protest) in doing so,” he said.

Recognise right to protest but it cannot affect other Fundamental Rights: SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday said its recognises the Fundamental Right to protest against a law, but at the same time that cannot affect other Fundamental Rights or Right to Life of others, reported Live Law. 

The apex court is hearing a batch of petitions seeking the removal of farmers protesting at the borders of Delhi. 

Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for one of the petitioners, argued, “No right is absolute. From right to protest to right to movement. The content of right to free speech, it includes the right to no but it cannot extend to right to privacy. Right to protest does not extend to deny others to exercise their rights.” he added, “Fundamental right to protest cannot extend to holding a city to ransom.”

CJI : One thing we will make it clear. We recognize the fundamental right to protest against a law. But that cannot affect other fundamental rights and right to life of others.#FarmersProtest #SupremeCourt

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) December 17, 2020

Question of validity of new farm reforms can wait: SC

“We will not decide the validity of the laws today. The first and the only thing we will decide today is regarding the farmers protest and the fundamental right of citizens to move. The question of validity of laws can wait,” said Chief Justice of India SA Bobde on Thursday.

Will speak to farmers about altering nature of protest: CJI

“We recognize that the farmers have a right to protest. But we are on the mode of protesting.  We will ask the Union what can be done to alter the nature of protesting which will ensure that rights of others are not affected,” said CJI SA Bobde on Thursday while hearing batch of petitions seeking removal of farmers from protest sites in Delhi.

Prashant Bhushan to represent farmers in SC today, says report

Lawyers Vineet Parikh, Prashant Bhushan, Colin Gonsalves and Dushyant Dave will represent the farmers in Supreme Court on Thursday during the hearing of petitions seeking direction to the authorities to remove protesters from several border points of Delhi, reported India Today.

Farm union leaders to meet at 2 pm, says report

According to a media report, farmer union leaders will conduct a meeting at 2 pm on Thursday. Earlier today, a Bhartiya Kisan Union leader had said they did not receive a notice from the Supreme Court yet. 

Farmer leaders to hold a key meeting at 2 pm today. Solution in sight?@rupashreenanda with the details.

Join the broadcast with @AnushaSoni23. pic.twitter.com/XZnfCLpuAM

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 17, 2020

Kejriwal condoles death of Sikh preacher near Singhu border

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal condoled the death of a Sikh preacher, who allegedly died by suicide near the Singhu border on Wednesday, being unable to bear the plight of agitating farmers.

Sant Ram Singh (65), who hailed from Singhra village in Nissing area of Karnal district, allegedly shot himself.

“The news of Sant Baba Ram Singh ji suicide is very painful. Sympathies to his family in this hour of grief. Our farmer is just asking for his right, the government should listen to the farmers and withdraw the three black laws,” Kejriwal tweeted.

Need due representation in proposed panel, says apex trade body to union ministers

The Confederation of All India Traders has written to Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal in reference to the directions given by Supreme Court on Wednesday regarding formation of a committee to resolve farmers’ bill impasse.

“We have written to Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal for giving due representation in the proposed panel,” said the apex body of trading community of India.

Discussed farmers’ stir against agri laws with Jaishankar: Dominic Raab

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Wednesday said he discussed the protests by farmers against the three new agri laws with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar but also noted the UK respects the fact that the agricultural reforms initiated by India were its domestic matter.

Asked about the UK’s position on the raging protests by farmers at the border points of Delhi and whether he raised the issue during his talks with Indian leaders as demanded by several British parliamentarians, he said the matter was discussed with Jaishankar.

“I discussed the situation with Foreign Minister Jaishankar. Obviously, we respect the fact that the reforms going through your system here are domestic reforms. Of course, they have elicited the protests that you refer to, and your politics, in some sense because of the Indian diaspora in Britain, is our politics,” Raab said.

Traffic disrupted on Delhi’s key routes

There was disruption of traffic movement on key routes in the National Capital on Thursday, the 22nd day of the farmers’ protest to demand for the repeal of the three new agri marketing laws.

Farmers camping at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur border points have led to closure of several routes in Delhi.

According to the city police, Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Sabholi and Mangesh borders are closed. Commuters have been advised to take alternate routes via Lampur, Safiabad and Singhu school toll tax borders, while traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road, they said.

Farmer dies near Delhi-Haryana border due to ‘bitter cold’

A farmer protesting near the Delhi-Haryana border died early this morning, allegedly because of the bitter cold. The man, a father of three, was found dead at a site where thousands of farmers have been protesting for 22 days against central farm laws. The farmer had three children of ages 10, 12 and 14, according to NDTV..

More than 20 protesters have died since the agitation began in November-end, farmer groups claim. Many are believed to have suffered because of the rising winter chill and a cold wave in north India.

Agitation to go on until govt listens: SP chief 

जब तक सरकार नहीं सुनेगी
ये किसान क्रांति नहीं रुकेगी!#नहीं_चाहिए_भाजपा

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) December 17, 2020

Farmer unions will hold meet after SC issues notice: Bhartiya Kisan Union

“We’ve not received any notice from the Supreme Court. When we get a notice, all farmers’ unions will hold a discussion and take a decision,” said MS Rai, Bhartiya Kisan Union, to ANI.

UK labour MP against ‘unacceptable’ treatment of farmers

UK Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill wrote to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on the use of tear gas and water cannons against protesters. “While the Foreign Secretary is in India, I have written to him about the #FarmersProtests and the unacceptable use of tear gas and water cannons against peaceful protesters,” she said in a tweet.

While the Foreign Secretary is in India, I have written to him about the #FarmersProtests and the unacceptable use of tear gas and water cannons against peaceful protestors.

The UK must stand up for democratic freedoms & work with partners to protect and champion them. pic.twitter.com/MV3sUEx0Fu

— Preet Kaur Gill MP (@PreetKGillMP) December 16, 2020

Arvind Kejriwal condoles death of Sikh preacher near Singhu border 

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal condoled the death of a Sikh preacher, who allegedly died by suicide near the Singhu border on Wednesday, as he was unable to bear the plight of agitating farmers.

Sant Ram Singh (65), who hailed from Singhra village in Nissing area of Karnal district, allegedly shot himself.

Agitation enters Day 22

The farmers’ agitation against the three contentious agricultural laws reached day 22 on Thursday as protesters’ numbers continue to swell on the borders of Delhi.

Sikh preacher dies by suicide near Singhu border 

As the protests at the border points of Delhi for the repeal of the three new farm laws entered the 21st day, police said a Sikh preacher supporting the agitation allegedly committed suicide near the Singhu border.

A handwritten note in Punjabi, purportedly left behind by the deceased, says he was unable to bear the “pain of farmers”. The note is being verified by the police.

SC to resume hearing on removing protesters from Delhi borders

The Supreme Court will resume hearing a batch of pleas seeking direction to the authorities to immediately remove the farmers who are protesting at several border points of Delhi against the three farm reform laws.

Observing that the Centre’s talks with the protesting farmers have “not worked apparently” and were bound to fail, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stepped in and indicated forming a panel to break the three-week long deadlock, but the farm leaders dismissed the move as no solution.