22:51 December 23
Farmers organised 'Kisan Satyagraha' at Neelam Park in Bhopal supporting the farmers' protest against three farm laws.
Following this, the police had also arrested 6 farmers who later given bail.
19:39 December 23
RJD organises 'Kisan Goshti' in support of farmers' protest
Rashtriya Janata Dal national spokesperson Naval Kishore said that the RJD organized 'Kisan Goshti' at all district headquarters in Bihar.
He further said the RJD will continue to support the farmers till the three agricultural laws are withdrawn.
19:38 December 23
Congress workers stage protests in Gorakhpur against farm laws
Congress workers protested in Gorakhpur against the three contentious farm laws by clapping and clanging pots and pans.
The Congress workers, led by Gorakhpur district president Nirmala Paswan and city chief Ashutosh Tiwari, surrounded the house of BJP MLA Radha Mohan Das Agarwal.
19:32 December 23
Govt should not repeat 'meaningless' amendments rejected by farmers: Yogendra Yadav
Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav says the farmers are ready to hold talks with the Centre.
“We’re waiting for govt to take the discussion forward with an open mind and neat intention,” he says while reading the farmers’ letter to the Centre.
He also said that the government should not repeat the “meaningless” amendments rejected by the farmers and come up with a concrete proposal in writing so that negotiations between the two sides can begin soon.
18:09 December 23
Farmers Union urges govt to create conducive atmosphere for dialogue
Shiv Kumar Kakka, National President, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh, said, "We urge the government to create a conducive atmosphere for a fruitful dialogue. Even the Supreme Court has said that suspend implementation of farm laws. This will lead to a better environment to hold talks."
17:51 December 23
Take farm bills back: BKU (Lok Shakti) chief writes letter in blood to PM Modi
Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti) chief Sheoraj Singh wrote a letter in blood to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the repeal of the three new farm laws that have stoked massive protests by farmers' unions.
"Take back the agriculture bill, make the law to ensure guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) and form a kisaan aayog (farmers commission)," he wrote in the brief letter addressed to PM Modi.
17:50 December 23
Will ensure farmers get right price, says Tomar
"Through various schemes, we will fill all gaps in the agriculture sector, which will benefit farmers and ensure they get the right price...Even during Covid-19 pandemic, we saw that work related to farming and agriculture wasn’t affected," said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
Tomar also said that the government is ready for a discussion with farmer unions.
17:12 December 23
Jailed activists on hunger strike in Maharashtra to back farmers' stir
Various activists arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links' case are observing a day-long hunger strike at Taloja jail in Maharashtra in support of farmers who are protesting against the Centre's new farm laws.
The activists, in a joint statement on the occasion of the National Farmers' Day, said they are lodged in the jail in Navi Mumbai and cannot participate physically in the farmers' agitation.
17:11 December 23
BKU spokesperson says dialogue only way, ready for discussion with Government
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said a solution will come out through dialogue and his organization is ready for it.
"The solution will come only out of a dialogue. If the government wants to talk, we are ready. The government wants this bill to be amended. We don't want that we want a repeal of the law. The government has refused to withdraw the law," he said.
15:52 December 23
Those who don't want to see farmers happy, misleading them, says Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the continuation of farmers' protests despite the government's attempts to clear their apprehensions on the new Agri laws shows cultivators are being "provoked and misled" by the Opposition.
15:47 December 23
First you pass laws without consulting them. Then You ignore their protests. Then you demonise them as Khalistanis, Pakistanis & Naxals. Finally you say you are prepared to talk. But are you prepared to listen? #KisanDiwas pic.twitter.com/4W8unEb0Xk
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 23, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">First you pass laws without consulting them. Then You ignore their protests. Then you demonise them as Khalistanis, Pakistanis & Naxals. Finally you say you are prepared to talk. But are you prepared to listen? #KisanDiwas pic.twitter.com/4W8unEb0Xk
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 23, 2020
First you pass laws without consulting them. Then You ignore their protests. Then you demonise them as Khalistanis, Pakistanis & Naxals. Finally you say you are prepared to talk. But are you prepared to listen? #KisanDiwas pic.twitter.com/4W8unEb0Xk
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 23, 2020
Are you prepared to listen?: Shashi Tharoor asks Centre
Hitting out at the Centre, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took to Twitter on Wednesday asking whether the government is ready to listen to the demands of the protesting farmers.
14:27 December 23
5 Trinamool MPs meet farmers on relay hunger strike at Singhu Border
On Mamata Banerjee’s direction a 5 member team delegation comprising Derek O'Brien, Satabdi Roy, Prasun Banerjee, Pratima Mondal and Md Nadimul Haque
on behalf of the All India Trinamool Congress, is meeting and interacting with farmers from who are on a relay hunger strike on the highway at the Singhu Border to show solidarity. Many farmers in small groups had an interaction on the telephone with Mamata Banerjee who assured them of her fill solidarity with their movement. Some farmers also requested her to visit the dharna site.
They shared their demand: the Centre must repeal the farmer bills.
It is unfortunate that farmers, who feed the entire country are being forced to go hungry.
Fourteen years ago, Mamata Banerjee went on a historic 26-day hunger strike against the forceful acquisition of agricultural land, demanding justice for the farmers of Singur. Her stand was vindicated by the Supreme Court in 2016.
Trinamool will stand by the farmers in solidarity, in this movement to repeal the anti-farmer bills.
13:35 December 23
I could not understand what is 'black' in these farm laws. This 'tukde-tukde gang' is the one instigating and misleading the farmers. So far, no one could explain the 'black laws': Madhya Pradesh Minister Narottam Mishra on Congress supporting farmers' agitation
13:35 December 23
For nearly a month farmers from many states have come & are protesting in Delhi in the freezing cold. Till now the PM has not come forward to talk with them and hear their demand. And our CM Edappadi is dancing to the PM's tune: DMK Chief MK Stalin in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
12:33 December 23
Kerala stands in solidarity with agitating farmers. The protest is gaining public support day by day. The Centre should listen to reasonable demands of the farmers and scrap the fam laws: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
11:51 December 23
Farmers urge people to skip one meal on Kisan Diwas
A decision on the government's offer for fresh talks to resolve the deadlock over contentious farm laws is likely to be taken later in the day by protesting farmer unions who urged people on Wednesday to skip one meal on 'Kisan Diwas', the birth anniversary of former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, in support of their stir.
Several farmers visited 'Kisan Ghat' here on Wednesday morning to pay tributes to Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was known for his farmer-friendly policies.
"Several farmers arrived here at Kisan Ghat to pay their tribute on the occasion of Kisan Diwas. They are paying tributes and leaving soon after," a police officer said.
To mark Kisan Diwas, protesting farmers at Ghazipur border held a 'havan'.
Farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu had said that 32 farmer unions from Punjab held a meeting on Tuesday and discussed the next course of action.
A meeting of farmer leaders from across India would be held on Wednesday where a decision on the government's talks offer will be taken.
In a letter to 40 union leaders, the Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry, Vivek Aggarwal, had on Sunday asked protesting farmer leaders to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.
Agriculture Minister Tomar said on Tuesday he is hopeful that protesting unions would soon complete their internal discussions and resume talks with the government to resolve the crisis.
The farmer leaders will also observe "Shaheedi diwas" from December 23-26.
Traffic remained disrupted in bordering areas of the national capital due to the stir.
The Delhi Traffic Police said the Chilla and Ghazipur borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida and Ghaziabad to Delhi. It has advised people to take alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anad Vihar, DND, Apsara and Bhopra borders.
Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, and Mangesh borders are also closed and commuters have been advised to take routes through the Lampur, Safiabad and Saboli toll tax borders.
Police said that as traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and the GTK road, people are suggested to avoid Outer Ring Road, the GTK road and National Highway (NH) 44.
Those travelling to Haryana can go through the Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan-Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders.
according to the traffic police, Tikri, Dhansa and Ghazipur borders are also closed for traffic but the Jhatikara border was open only for two-wheelers and pedestrians.
11:44 December 23
Farmers perform Havan
Farmers perform 'havan' at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in Ghazipur on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. farmers day
Farmers' agitation against the three farm laws at Ghazipur border entered 26th day today.
11:34 December 23
Chilla and Gazipur borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida & Gaziabad to Delhi because of farmer protests, say Delhi Traffic Police
10:33 December 23
आज किसान दिवस के अवसर मैं देश के सभी अन्नदाताओं का अभिनंदन करता हूँ। उन्होंने देश को खाद्य सुरक्षा का कवच प्रदान किया है।
कृषि क़ानूनों को लेकर कुछ किसान आंदोलनरत हैं। सरकार उनसे पूरी संवेदनशीलता के साथ बात कर रही है। मैं आशा करता हूँ कि वे जल्द ही अपने आंदोलन को वापिस लेगें।
">आज किसान दिवस के अवसर मैं देश के सभी अन्नदाताओं का अभिनंदन करता हूँ। उन्होंने देश को खाद्य सुरक्षा का कवच प्रदान किया है।
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 23, 2020
कृषि क़ानूनों को लेकर कुछ किसान आंदोलनरत हैं। सरकार उनसे पूरी संवेदनशीलता के साथ बात कर रही है। मैं आशा करता हूँ कि वे जल्द ही अपने आंदोलन को वापिस लेगें।
आज किसान दिवस के अवसर मैं देश के सभी अन्नदाताओं का अभिनंदन करता हूँ। उन्होंने देश को खाद्य सुरक्षा का कवच प्रदान किया है।
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 23, 2020
कृषि क़ानूनों को लेकर कुछ किसान आंदोलनरत हैं। सरकार उनसे पूरी संवेदनशीलता के साथ बात कर रही है। मैं आशा करता हूँ कि वे जल्द ही अपने आंदोलन को वापिस लेगें।
On the occasion of Farmers' day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh greeted the farmers and thanked them for providing the country with food security. Singh said that the government was holding talks with some of the protesting farmers with full sensitivity and hoped that the agitations would soon come to an end.
08:26 December 23
Farmers protest continues, enters 28th day
Farmers' protest against the new farm bill entered 28th day today.
In a letter to 40 union leaders, the Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry, Vivek Aggarwal, had on Sunday asked protesting farmer leaders to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.
07:00 December 23
Farmers' stir LIVE Updates
New Delhi: Protesting farmer unions deferred a decision on the central government's offer for fresh talks to Wednesday, even as Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday expressed the hope that they will soon resume the dialogue to resolve the impasse over the new agri laws.
A group of protesters showed black flags to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and even tried to block his convoy in Ambala City, as demonstrations were held in several states in support of the thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, who are on a sit-in since November 26 on the borders of the national capital demanding the repeal of the three laws.
In Uttar Pradesh, a group of farmers who were heading to join the protesters clashed with police when they were stopped at Rampur-Moradabad toll plaza.
While a couple of farmer unions have been on a sit-in on the Delhi-Noida border against the farm laws, a group of protesters, mainly residents of Jewar and Dadri in Greater Noida, came out on roads in support of the laws and was stopped by police at Mahamaya Flyover.
Farmers camping at UP Gate on Delhi-Ghaziabad border on Tuesday blocked all 14 lanes of the National Highway 9 for eight hours from 9AM and also allegedly manhandled a journalist and photographer.
In Kerala, the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) took out a march to the Raj Bhavan to express solidarity with the protesting farmer unions while Governor Arif Mohammed Khan declined approval for a special session of the state assembly on Wednesday proposed by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front Government to discuss and pass a resolution against the three contentious central farm laws. Addressing a press conference at Delhi's Singhu Border, farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu said that 32 farmer unions from Punjab held a meeting on Tuesday and discussed the next course of action.
The farmer leader said that a meeting of farmer leaders from across India would be held on Wednesday where a decision on the government's talks offer will be taken.
In a letter to 40 union leaders, the Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry, Vivek Aggarwal, had on Sunday asked protesting farmer leaders to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.
The sixth round of talks on December 9 was cancelled following a deadlock with the farmer unions refusing to budge from their demand for repealing the three laws.
Agriculture Minister Tomar said on Tuesday he is hopeful that protesting unions would soon complete their internal discussions and resume talks with the government to resolve the crisis.
He met two more peasants' bodies from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh that extended support to the legislation.
"Representatives of different farmers' bodies had come to tell that the laws are good and are in the interest of farmers. They had come to urge the government not make any amendments to the laws," Tomar said after meeting the two groups.
"I am hopeful they (protesting farmers' unions) will soon complete their internal discussions and come forward for talks. We will be able to find a solution successfully," the minister said.
However, Sandhu accused the government of creating "dummy and fake organisations that don't have any past" to undermine their agitation.
The farmer leader said that they would also write to Britain MPs, urging them to press their Prime Minister Boris Johnson not to attend India's Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Johnson will be the chief guest at the event next month.
At the press conference, Sandhu said that farmer leaders will observe "Shaheedi diwas" from December 23-26. Protesting unions have already given a call to halt toll collection on highways in Haryana from December 25 to 27.
Seeking President Ram Nath Kovind's intervention for withdrawal of the three farm laws, the Congress said a memorandum signed by two crore farmers would be handed over to him on December 24 by a party delegation led by Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress has been supporting the farmers agitation and seeking the withdrawal of the Central farm legislations. A delegation of opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had met the president with the same demand a few days ago.
The party's Uttar Pradesh unit said it will hold a statewide protest across Uttar Pradesh in support of the farmers' agitation on Wednesday marking the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.
The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and its associate unions said they will observe December 23 as "Skip Lunch" day to express solidarity with the farmers.
Earlier in the day, Tomar asserted that the new farm reform laws will herald a new era in Indian farming and said the government is still willing to continue talks with protesting unions on all contentious issues.
"The Government has had many rounds of talks with farmer unions and is willing to continue the dialogue on contentious issues, clause by clause, with an open mind," an official statement said.
Tomar, along with Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, is holding discussions with 40 protesting unions.
In Maharashtra, farmers protested outside the office of Mumbai suburban district collector demanding the withdrawal of the farm laws. The protest was supported by the 'Prahar' organisation, headed by state minister Bacchu Kadu.
A group of farmers from the state has already left for Delhi to support the peasants.
Meanwhile, social media giant Facebook said Kisan Ekta Morcha's page had been taken down after its automated systems found increased activity and flagged it as spam, and that the page was restored in less than three hours.
Facebook had faced criticism from various quarters after the page - which is run by a farmers' collective that is participating in the stir - was taken down on Sunday evening.
"As per our review, our automated systems found an increased activity on the (Kisan Ekta Morcha) Facebook page and flagged it as spam, which violates our Community Standards. We restored the page in less than three hours when we became aware of the context," a Facebook spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the review showed that only the Facebook page was affected by the automated systems while the Instagram account remained unaffected.
Enacted in September, the three farm laws have been projected by the central government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country.
However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.
The government has repeatedly asserted that the MSP and Mandi systems will stay and has accused the opposition of misleading the farmers.
22:51 December 23
Farmers organised 'Kisan Satyagraha' at Neelam Park in Bhopal supporting the farmers' protest against three farm laws.
Following this, the police had also arrested 6 farmers who later given bail.
19:39 December 23
RJD organises 'Kisan Goshti' in support of farmers' protest
Rashtriya Janata Dal national spokesperson Naval Kishore said that the RJD organized 'Kisan Goshti' at all district headquarters in Bihar.
He further said the RJD will continue to support the farmers till the three agricultural laws are withdrawn.
19:38 December 23
Congress workers stage protests in Gorakhpur against farm laws
Congress workers protested in Gorakhpur against the three contentious farm laws by clapping and clanging pots and pans.
The Congress workers, led by Gorakhpur district president Nirmala Paswan and city chief Ashutosh Tiwari, surrounded the house of BJP MLA Radha Mohan Das Agarwal.
19:32 December 23
Govt should not repeat 'meaningless' amendments rejected by farmers: Yogendra Yadav
Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav says the farmers are ready to hold talks with the Centre.
“We’re waiting for govt to take the discussion forward with an open mind and neat intention,” he says while reading the farmers’ letter to the Centre.
He also said that the government should not repeat the “meaningless” amendments rejected by the farmers and come up with a concrete proposal in writing so that negotiations between the two sides can begin soon.
18:09 December 23
Farmers Union urges govt to create conducive atmosphere for dialogue
Shiv Kumar Kakka, National President, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh, said, "We urge the government to create a conducive atmosphere for a fruitful dialogue. Even the Supreme Court has said that suspend implementation of farm laws. This will lead to a better environment to hold talks."
17:51 December 23
Take farm bills back: BKU (Lok Shakti) chief writes letter in blood to PM Modi
Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti) chief Sheoraj Singh wrote a letter in blood to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the repeal of the three new farm laws that have stoked massive protests by farmers' unions.
"Take back the agriculture bill, make the law to ensure guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) and form a kisaan aayog (farmers commission)," he wrote in the brief letter addressed to PM Modi.
17:50 December 23
Will ensure farmers get right price, says Tomar
"Through various schemes, we will fill all gaps in the agriculture sector, which will benefit farmers and ensure they get the right price...Even during Covid-19 pandemic, we saw that work related to farming and agriculture wasn’t affected," said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
Tomar also said that the government is ready for a discussion with farmer unions.
17:12 December 23
Jailed activists on hunger strike in Maharashtra to back farmers' stir
Various activists arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links' case are observing a day-long hunger strike at Taloja jail in Maharashtra in support of farmers who are protesting against the Centre's new farm laws.
The activists, in a joint statement on the occasion of the National Farmers' Day, said they are lodged in the jail in Navi Mumbai and cannot participate physically in the farmers' agitation.
17:11 December 23
BKU spokesperson says dialogue only way, ready for discussion with Government
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said a solution will come out through dialogue and his organization is ready for it.
"The solution will come only out of a dialogue. If the government wants to talk, we are ready. The government wants this bill to be amended. We don't want that we want a repeal of the law. The government has refused to withdraw the law," he said.
15:52 December 23
Those who don't want to see farmers happy, misleading them, says Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the continuation of farmers' protests despite the government's attempts to clear their apprehensions on the new Agri laws shows cultivators are being "provoked and misled" by the Opposition.
15:47 December 23
First you pass laws without consulting them. Then You ignore their protests. Then you demonise them as Khalistanis, Pakistanis & Naxals. Finally you say you are prepared to talk. But are you prepared to listen? #KisanDiwas pic.twitter.com/4W8unEb0Xk
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 23, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">First you pass laws without consulting them. Then You ignore their protests. Then you demonise them as Khalistanis, Pakistanis & Naxals. Finally you say you are prepared to talk. But are you prepared to listen? #KisanDiwas pic.twitter.com/4W8unEb0Xk
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 23, 2020
First you pass laws without consulting them. Then You ignore their protests. Then you demonise them as Khalistanis, Pakistanis & Naxals. Finally you say you are prepared to talk. But are you prepared to listen? #KisanDiwas pic.twitter.com/4W8unEb0Xk
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 23, 2020
Are you prepared to listen?: Shashi Tharoor asks Centre
Hitting out at the Centre, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took to Twitter on Wednesday asking whether the government is ready to listen to the demands of the protesting farmers.
14:27 December 23
5 Trinamool MPs meet farmers on relay hunger strike at Singhu Border
On Mamata Banerjee’s direction a 5 member team delegation comprising Derek O'Brien, Satabdi Roy, Prasun Banerjee, Pratima Mondal and Md Nadimul Haque
on behalf of the All India Trinamool Congress, is meeting and interacting with farmers from who are on a relay hunger strike on the highway at the Singhu Border to show solidarity. Many farmers in small groups had an interaction on the telephone with Mamata Banerjee who assured them of her fill solidarity with their movement. Some farmers also requested her to visit the dharna site.
They shared their demand: the Centre must repeal the farmer bills.
It is unfortunate that farmers, who feed the entire country are being forced to go hungry.
Fourteen years ago, Mamata Banerjee went on a historic 26-day hunger strike against the forceful acquisition of agricultural land, demanding justice for the farmers of Singur. Her stand was vindicated by the Supreme Court in 2016.
Trinamool will stand by the farmers in solidarity, in this movement to repeal the anti-farmer bills.
13:35 December 23
I could not understand what is 'black' in these farm laws. This 'tukde-tukde gang' is the one instigating and misleading the farmers. So far, no one could explain the 'black laws': Madhya Pradesh Minister Narottam Mishra on Congress supporting farmers' agitation
13:35 December 23
For nearly a month farmers from many states have come & are protesting in Delhi in the freezing cold. Till now the PM has not come forward to talk with them and hear their demand. And our CM Edappadi is dancing to the PM's tune: DMK Chief MK Stalin in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
12:33 December 23
Kerala stands in solidarity with agitating farmers. The protest is gaining public support day by day. The Centre should listen to reasonable demands of the farmers and scrap the fam laws: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
11:51 December 23
Farmers urge people to skip one meal on Kisan Diwas
A decision on the government's offer for fresh talks to resolve the deadlock over contentious farm laws is likely to be taken later in the day by protesting farmer unions who urged people on Wednesday to skip one meal on 'Kisan Diwas', the birth anniversary of former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, in support of their stir.
Several farmers visited 'Kisan Ghat' here on Wednesday morning to pay tributes to Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was known for his farmer-friendly policies.
"Several farmers arrived here at Kisan Ghat to pay their tribute on the occasion of Kisan Diwas. They are paying tributes and leaving soon after," a police officer said.
To mark Kisan Diwas, protesting farmers at Ghazipur border held a 'havan'.
Farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu had said that 32 farmer unions from Punjab held a meeting on Tuesday and discussed the next course of action.
A meeting of farmer leaders from across India would be held on Wednesday where a decision on the government's talks offer will be taken.
In a letter to 40 union leaders, the Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry, Vivek Aggarwal, had on Sunday asked protesting farmer leaders to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.
Agriculture Minister Tomar said on Tuesday he is hopeful that protesting unions would soon complete their internal discussions and resume talks with the government to resolve the crisis.
The farmer leaders will also observe "Shaheedi diwas" from December 23-26.
Traffic remained disrupted in bordering areas of the national capital due to the stir.
The Delhi Traffic Police said the Chilla and Ghazipur borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida and Ghaziabad to Delhi. It has advised people to take alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anad Vihar, DND, Apsara and Bhopra borders.
Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, and Mangesh borders are also closed and commuters have been advised to take routes through the Lampur, Safiabad and Saboli toll tax borders.
Police said that as traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and the GTK road, people are suggested to avoid Outer Ring Road, the GTK road and National Highway (NH) 44.
Those travelling to Haryana can go through the Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan-Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders.
according to the traffic police, Tikri, Dhansa and Ghazipur borders are also closed for traffic but the Jhatikara border was open only for two-wheelers and pedestrians.
11:44 December 23
Farmers perform Havan
Farmers perform 'havan' at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in Ghazipur on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. farmers day
Farmers' agitation against the three farm laws at Ghazipur border entered 26th day today.
11:34 December 23
Chilla and Gazipur borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida & Gaziabad to Delhi because of farmer protests, say Delhi Traffic Police
10:33 December 23
आज किसान दिवस के अवसर मैं देश के सभी अन्नदाताओं का अभिनंदन करता हूँ। उन्होंने देश को खाद्य सुरक्षा का कवच प्रदान किया है।
कृषि क़ानूनों को लेकर कुछ किसान आंदोलनरत हैं। सरकार उनसे पूरी संवेदनशीलता के साथ बात कर रही है। मैं आशा करता हूँ कि वे जल्द ही अपने आंदोलन को वापिस लेगें।
">आज किसान दिवस के अवसर मैं देश के सभी अन्नदाताओं का अभिनंदन करता हूँ। उन्होंने देश को खाद्य सुरक्षा का कवच प्रदान किया है।
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 23, 2020
कृषि क़ानूनों को लेकर कुछ किसान आंदोलनरत हैं। सरकार उनसे पूरी संवेदनशीलता के साथ बात कर रही है। मैं आशा करता हूँ कि वे जल्द ही अपने आंदोलन को वापिस लेगें।
आज किसान दिवस के अवसर मैं देश के सभी अन्नदाताओं का अभिनंदन करता हूँ। उन्होंने देश को खाद्य सुरक्षा का कवच प्रदान किया है।
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 23, 2020
कृषि क़ानूनों को लेकर कुछ किसान आंदोलनरत हैं। सरकार उनसे पूरी संवेदनशीलता के साथ बात कर रही है। मैं आशा करता हूँ कि वे जल्द ही अपने आंदोलन को वापिस लेगें।
On the occasion of Farmers' day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh greeted the farmers and thanked them for providing the country with food security. Singh said that the government was holding talks with some of the protesting farmers with full sensitivity and hoped that the agitations would soon come to an end.
08:26 December 23
Farmers protest continues, enters 28th day
Farmers' protest against the new farm bill entered 28th day today.
In a letter to 40 union leaders, the Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry, Vivek Aggarwal, had on Sunday asked protesting farmer leaders to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.
07:00 December 23
Farmers' stir LIVE Updates
New Delhi: Protesting farmer unions deferred a decision on the central government's offer for fresh talks to Wednesday, even as Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday expressed the hope that they will soon resume the dialogue to resolve the impasse over the new agri laws.
A group of protesters showed black flags to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and even tried to block his convoy in Ambala City, as demonstrations were held in several states in support of the thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, who are on a sit-in since November 26 on the borders of the national capital demanding the repeal of the three laws.
In Uttar Pradesh, a group of farmers who were heading to join the protesters clashed with police when they were stopped at Rampur-Moradabad toll plaza.
While a couple of farmer unions have been on a sit-in on the Delhi-Noida border against the farm laws, a group of protesters, mainly residents of Jewar and Dadri in Greater Noida, came out on roads in support of the laws and was stopped by police at Mahamaya Flyover.
Farmers camping at UP Gate on Delhi-Ghaziabad border on Tuesday blocked all 14 lanes of the National Highway 9 for eight hours from 9AM and also allegedly manhandled a journalist and photographer.
In Kerala, the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) took out a march to the Raj Bhavan to express solidarity with the protesting farmer unions while Governor Arif Mohammed Khan declined approval for a special session of the state assembly on Wednesday proposed by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front Government to discuss and pass a resolution against the three contentious central farm laws. Addressing a press conference at Delhi's Singhu Border, farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu said that 32 farmer unions from Punjab held a meeting on Tuesday and discussed the next course of action.
The farmer leader said that a meeting of farmer leaders from across India would be held on Wednesday where a decision on the government's talks offer will be taken.
In a letter to 40 union leaders, the Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry, Vivek Aggarwal, had on Sunday asked protesting farmer leaders to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.
The sixth round of talks on December 9 was cancelled following a deadlock with the farmer unions refusing to budge from their demand for repealing the three laws.
Agriculture Minister Tomar said on Tuesday he is hopeful that protesting unions would soon complete their internal discussions and resume talks with the government to resolve the crisis.
He met two more peasants' bodies from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh that extended support to the legislation.
"Representatives of different farmers' bodies had come to tell that the laws are good and are in the interest of farmers. They had come to urge the government not make any amendments to the laws," Tomar said after meeting the two groups.
"I am hopeful they (protesting farmers' unions) will soon complete their internal discussions and come forward for talks. We will be able to find a solution successfully," the minister said.
However, Sandhu accused the government of creating "dummy and fake organisations that don't have any past" to undermine their agitation.
The farmer leader said that they would also write to Britain MPs, urging them to press their Prime Minister Boris Johnson not to attend India's Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Johnson will be the chief guest at the event next month.
At the press conference, Sandhu said that farmer leaders will observe "Shaheedi diwas" from December 23-26. Protesting unions have already given a call to halt toll collection on highways in Haryana from December 25 to 27.
Seeking President Ram Nath Kovind's intervention for withdrawal of the three farm laws, the Congress said a memorandum signed by two crore farmers would be handed over to him on December 24 by a party delegation led by Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress has been supporting the farmers agitation and seeking the withdrawal of the Central farm legislations. A delegation of opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had met the president with the same demand a few days ago.
The party's Uttar Pradesh unit said it will hold a statewide protest across Uttar Pradesh in support of the farmers' agitation on Wednesday marking the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.
The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and its associate unions said they will observe December 23 as "Skip Lunch" day to express solidarity with the farmers.
Earlier in the day, Tomar asserted that the new farm reform laws will herald a new era in Indian farming and said the government is still willing to continue talks with protesting unions on all contentious issues.
"The Government has had many rounds of talks with farmer unions and is willing to continue the dialogue on contentious issues, clause by clause, with an open mind," an official statement said.
Tomar, along with Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, is holding discussions with 40 protesting unions.
In Maharashtra, farmers protested outside the office of Mumbai suburban district collector demanding the withdrawal of the farm laws. The protest was supported by the 'Prahar' organisation, headed by state minister Bacchu Kadu.
A group of farmers from the state has already left for Delhi to support the peasants.
Meanwhile, social media giant Facebook said Kisan Ekta Morcha's page had been taken down after its automated systems found increased activity and flagged it as spam, and that the page was restored in less than three hours.
Facebook had faced criticism from various quarters after the page - which is run by a farmers' collective that is participating in the stir - was taken down on Sunday evening.
"As per our review, our automated systems found an increased activity on the (Kisan Ekta Morcha) Facebook page and flagged it as spam, which violates our Community Standards. We restored the page in less than three hours when we became aware of the context," a Facebook spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the review showed that only the Facebook page was affected by the automated systems while the Instagram account remained unaffected.
Enacted in September, the three farm laws have been projected by the central government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country.
However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.
The government has repeatedly asserted that the MSP and Mandi systems will stay and has accused the opposition of misleading the farmers.
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