New Delhi—The farmers’ representatives on Tuesday declined the Union government’s offer to form a panel to discuss the farm laws that are at the centre of massive agitation, which is intensifying by the day. Around 32 farm union leaders had gone for talks after they were invited by agriculture minister Narendra Tomar.
Senior leaders told FW that they are resolute on their demands and they will not back down from the agitation. Thousands of farmers are pitching on Singhu border even as large congregation from Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh is joining the protesters every day. “We won’t accept the proposal to form a committee. It was clear from day one that we want the laws to be repealed. This deadlock will continue till the government decides in our favour. We will carry on with the fight no matter what,” Jaswant Singh, a senior member of Bharatiya Kisan Union said. The farmers want uncompromising assurance from the government that the three laws will be revoked.
A second round of talks is expected to be held on Thursday, the initial date that was fixed by the government to hold talks with the farmers. A high-level meeting was held by Union home minister Amit Shah with defence minister Rajnath Singh, railway minister Piyush Goyal at the residence of BJP chief JP Nadda.
Thousands of farmers braved tear gas, water cannons and police brutality last week when they started their protest against the farm laws aimed at scrapping mandis and middlemen. They fear the new law will strip them of their livelihood by taking away the MSP too, leaving them at the mercy of corporates.
