Ninth rounds of talks between farmers and government concludes, next meet on Jan 19

Farmers' protests updates

Farmers' protests on borders of the National Capital are heading to enter the third month with no sign of settlement or agreement between farmers and government. Following the lead from previous rounds of talks, the ninth round also ended up in a deadlock. The inconclusive discussions and the rigid behaviour demonstrated by both parties is worsening the situation. The undaunted spirit of farmers is putting pressure on the government but still it remains firm on implementation of laws. The two parties failed to break the deadlock on issues of repeal of laws and legislation of Minimum Selling Price (MSP). The next meeting is scheduled for 19 January at 12 PM.

This was for the first time that both parties met on the negotiations table after appointment of a committee by the Supreme Court to find a common ground or way out of the chaos fluttering over the situation from two months. The committee comprising Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of state for Commerce Som Prakash also a MP from Punjab held dialogue with leaders of 40 farmer unions for over four hours. The open minded pursuit of government was announced at the early start of the year.

Congress leaders also moved to the streets of the capital supporting the farmers and upheld the demands of repeal of laws and high fuel prices. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi sought people to join the Satyagraha against the Modi government near the Raj Nivas, the official residence of Delhi Lt Governor and provide support to farmers. Congress witnessed the day as Kisan Adhikar Divas carrying the protests to all state capitals. Gandhi also said that these new laws will "finish the farmers". The farmers are apprehensive that these laws will exploit them and leave them at mercy of big corporations without government intervention. While the government is constantly accusing opposition of forwarding their political vengeance on pretext of the protests.

The Congress president of Uttar Pradesh Ajay Kumar Lallu and party workers were refrained from marching towards Raj Bhavan in Lucknow during protests against the laws. The rising protest won't be halted any time soon if the trend continues.