Farmers To Resume Delhi Chalo March On Feb 21 After Talks Fail | Top 10 Updates

In their fourth round of discussions on Sunday, a group of Union ministers engaged with farmer leaders to address various demands, including securing a legal assurance for Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Despite this, thousands of protesting farmers remained encamped at the Punjab-Haryana border.

Photo Credit: PTI

Farmers to resume protest on Feb 21

The meeting, held at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26, was attended by Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The discussions commenced at 8:30 pm and extended late into the night.

Before the fourth round of discussions, the intention to surround the homes of BJP leaders in Punjab for three consecutive days starting Tuesday was declared by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), aiming to increase pressure on the Centre to meet their demands.

Balbir Singh Rajewal, a prominent figure within the SKM, which represents a coalition of different farmer unions, stated that demonstrations outside the residences of Punjab's BJP leaders, including Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly, and district presidents, are planned from Tuesday through Thursday.

Previous meetings between the Union ministers and farmer representatives were held on February 8, 12, and 15 but failed to resolve.

Since February 13, the presence of protesting farmers from Punjab has been maintained at Shambhu and Khanauri points along the state's border with Haryana, following the interruption of their 'Delhi Chalo' march by police. This march was organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to advocate for their demands.

Here are the top 10 updates on Farmer's Protest:

1. Farmers Issue Dire Warning to Government After Failed Talks

After discussions between the government and farmers leading the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation failed, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has issued a stern warning to the BJP-led government. He emphasized that the government will be held accountable for any ensuing events. Despite the rejection of the Centre's proposal to procure pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP, the protesting farmers have declared their intention to continue their march to Delhi on Wednesday, February 21. Pandher expressed concerns on Tuesday morning, stating that the government's intentions were evident in its reluctance to allow them entry into Delhi. He further conveyed to ANI that if the government refuses to seek a resolution through dialogue, the farmers should be permitted to proceed towards Delhi.

2. Captain Amarinder Singh Meets PM Modi to Discuss Farmers' Issues

On Tuesday, Captain Amarinder Singh held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address various concerns about Punjab, particularly those affecting the farmers. During the discussion, they deliberated on a wide range of topics concerning the state, with a specific focus on the ongoing farmers' issues.

3. IT Ministry Blocks 177 Accounts and Links Amid Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' Call

Amid the ongoing farmers' protests and the 'Delhi chalo' call, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) has taken action by issuing emergency blocking orders for 177 social media accounts and links. These measures were implemented to maintain public order. The decision to issue these orders was prompted by a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which was made the previous week and finalized on Monday.

It's noteworthy that these emergency orders complement the final orders issued on February 14. Both sets of final blocking orders, issued on February 19 and 14 respectively, are temporary and conditional, applicable only for the duration of the ongoing agitation.

Social media platforms have been given the option to restore visibility to the blocked accounts and channels in India once the protests conclude. This move is not unprecedented, as similar temporary Section 69A blocking orders have been issued in the past during periods of protest, as per information obtained by HT.

4. Farmers Set to Resume 'Delhi Chalo' March on February 21 at 11 am

Following their rejection of the government's proposal, farmers have declared their intention to resume the 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 21 at 11 am. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher affirmed this decision, stating, "We will move towards Delhi on February 21 at 11 am..." This announcement underscores the farmers' determination to continue their protest and press for their demands despite the recent developments in discussions with the government.

5. Farmer Leader Urges Parliament Session for MSP Law

On Tuesday, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher urged the Centre to organize a one-day Parliament session dedicated to enacting legislation on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. According to reports from news agency PTI, Pandher emphasized the importance of addressing this crucial issue through legislative action.

Additionally, Pandher called on the Centre to fulfil other key demands put forth by the farmers, such as the waiver of farm loans. This plea comes amid ongoing discussions between farmer representatives and the BJP-led Centre, wherein the farmers have rejected the proposal to procure pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP rates by government agencies for five years.

6. Punjab BJP Chief Accuses CM Bhagwant Mann of Undermining Farmers-Centre Talks

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar levelled accusations against CM Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday, alleging that Mann's involvement has undermined the efforts of both farmer leaders and Union ministers to resolve the ongoing farmers' protests, as per a report from news agency PTI.

Jakhar expressed his concerns regarding Mann's role, stating that having Mann, of all individuals, act as the farmers' representative in negotiations was a recipe for failure. In a statement posted on X, Jakhar remarked, "With Bhagwant Mann himself -- of all the people -- acting as the lawyer for the farmers, these negotiations were destined to fail because CM Mann had everything to gain from the failures of these talks."

During the recent meeting between three Union ministers and farmer leaders on Sunday, aimed at finding a solution to the farmers' demands, Mann was notably present. At this meeting, the Union government proposed the purchase of pulses, maize, and cotton crops through government agencies at minimum support prices (MSP) for five years. However, farmer leaders rejected this proposal and resumed their protest activities.

7. Delhi Police Prepares for Farmers' Protest Resumption with Mock Drills

In anticipation of the resumption of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 21, the Delhi Police have organized mock drills and issued directives to security personnel stationed at the Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur border points. These measures were reported by news agency PTI on Tuesday.

8. Gurugram Police Detain 50 Farmers En Route to Delhi Protest

According to a report from news agency PTI, Gurugram Police apprehended a group of 50 farmers in Manesar as they attempted to march towards Delhi to voice their grievances regarding what they claimed was "unfair" compensation for the sale of approximately 1,800 acres of farmland to the state government. The farmers alleged that they had not received the appropriate compensation for the land spanning five villages in Manesar and had planned to protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Tuesday.

9. Farm Leaders and Khaps to Gherao BJP Offices on February 21

As per the latest updates on the farmers' protest, leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha along with khap bodies have declared their intention to stage a protest outside the offices of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana on February 21. The demonstration is organized to address various demands put forth by the protesting groups.

10. Protesting Farmer Succumbs to Cardiac Arrest

In the latest development regarding the ongoing farmers' protest, a 43-year-old protester, who had been demonstrating outside the residence of former chief minister and BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh, passed away on Sunday night due to a suspected cardiac arrest.

(With PTI Inputs)