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Farmers' protest day-7 Live: Jaitley slams Rahul Gandhi over his Mandsaur speech

| Updated: Thursday, June 7, 2018, 10:20 [IST]

The 10-day nationwide protest called by farmers entered the seventh day today. The 10-day-long agitation is part of a nationwide strike to press for their demands, including waiver of loans and the right price for crops. Congress president Rahul Gandhi yesterday met the family of the farmers who were killed during a protest in Mandsaur last year.

Rahul meets family of farmers (Image courtesy - ANI/Twitter)

Launching a blistering attack on the BJP, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress wants to free Madhya Pradesh from "Shivraj, Modi and the RSS". He also promised that if the Congress is voted to power, then farmer loans would be waived-off within 10 days.

The strike started on June 1 when thousands of farmers from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana started a 10-day nationwide strike demanding waiver of loans, right price for their crops and implementation of recommendations of Swaminathan Commission.

The agitation is led by the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh which is the umbrella organisation. Over 100 outfits are taking part in it. The protests were called to mark the first anniversary of the Mandsaur demonstration in Madhya Pradesh, in which six farmers were killed in police firing (on June 6, 2017).

Here are the highlights from day 6 of farmers' agitation:

Newest First Oldest First

8:23 AM, 7 Jun

Union Minister Arun Jaitley hit back at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi over his Mandsaur speech, saying it was a case of inadequate knowledge.

Mr. Rahul Gandhi should do homework before he speaks. Here is how Shri @arunjaitley has busted his lies to the farmers with facts and figures. https://t.co/Y5fENYp2BZ
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 6, 2018

5:04 PM, 6 Jun

Congress President Rahul Gandhi meets family members of farmers who died in Mandsaur farmers' protest last year. Six people -- Kanhaiya Lal Patidar, Satyanarayan Dhangar, Abhishek Patidar, Bablu, Ghanshyam Dhakad and Chintaman Patidar -- were killed in the police firing at Pipliya Mandi during the agitation on June 6 last year.

2:51 PM, 6 Jun

Rahul says he wants to free Madhya Pradesh from Shivraj, Modi and RSS. He says Congress is concerned about the plight of the farmers.

2:49 PM, 6 Jun

"We want to transform Madhya Pradesh. We want to transform lives of farmers in Madhya Pradesh...Farmers and youth of Madhya Pradesh by Modi ji and Shivraj Chouhan," Rahul says in a rally in Mandsaur.

2:48 PM, 6 Jun

"Modi ji was silent on this. It shows he does not have time for farmers. His government has ignored the farmers," says Rahul.

2:45 PM, 6 Jun

"I went to meet Narendra Modi ji. I raised the issue of farmers with him. I asked Modi ji to waive off loans of farmer," Rahul says.

2:41 PM, 6 Jun

"These food processing factories will give employment to youth of the state. There is no dearth of talent among the youth of Mandsaur. We will sell Mandsaur's garlic in Beijing," he says.

2:39 PM, 6 Jun

"We want to bring about a change in Madhya Pradesh. Now, when farmers sell their produce, 15% is deducted as tax. If voted to power, we will construct food processing units nears farms, so that farmer can directly sell products to these plants," Rahul says.

2:36 PM, 6 Jun

"What Modi ji and Shivraj cannot do, will be done by Kamalnath ji and Scindia ji. I am not going to lie to you, if you want to listen to lies then you are in the wrong place," Rahul says in a rally.

2:33 PM, 6 Jun

PM Modi has not only betrayed the farmers, but also the youth. They promised youth the jobs, but where are the jobs?, asked Rahul Gandhi.

2:31 PM, 6 Jun

Modi government has betrayed the farmers. Rich industrialists default and flee the country, but farmers are committing suicide due to debt, he says.

2:30 PM, 6 Jun

PM Modi calls calls defaulters like Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi as Mehul ji and Nirav ji, Rahul says. He says that defaulters fled the country under PM Modi's rule.

2:28 PM, 6 Jun

Over a 1,000 farmers have committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh, but so many rich people defaulted on loan and fled easily, he says.

2:27 PM, 6 Jun

If the government cannot work towards the welfare of the farmers, then they do not have right to be in power, Rahul says.

2:26 PM, 6 Jun

The day Congress comes to power in Madhya Pradesh, I promise that farmer loans would be waived within 10 days, says Rahul Gandhi.

2:23 PM, 6 Jun

Rhul accuses government of being sympathetic to industrialists, adding, "They have no time for farmers they are ignoring farmers."

2:22 PM, 6 Jun

Rahul calls farmers martyrs. He says BJP government has concern for the farmers. He says Madhya Pradesh government 'killed' farmers last year.

2:21 PM, 6 Jun

Rahul Gandhi's address begins in Mandsaur. Rahul trains gun at Madhya Pradesh government over the deaths of farmers in police firing last year.

2:12 PM, 6 Jun

Congress president Rahul Gandhi meets the family of the farmers who were killed in the protests last year in Mandsaur. Today is the first anniversary of Mandsaur farmers' protest in which six farmers were killed.

1:55 PM, 6 Jun

Shiv Sena accuses the Union Government of ignoring farmers' protest.

1:21 PM, 6 Jun

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has reached Mandsaur. He would shortly meet the families of victims who were killed in Mandsaur protest last year.

12:53 PM, 6 Jun

ANI reports that parents of a farmer, who died during protest in Mandsaur last year, have been asked by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to not meet Rahul Gandhi. Rahul would be in Mandsaur today to meet the family of victims who died during last year's protest. Rahul will also be addressing a rally today.

10:49 AM, 6 Jun

Top Congress leaders from Madhya Pradesh including PCC chief Kamal Nath, campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and other state leaders would be in attendance.

10:48 AM, 6 Jun

Six people -- Kanhaiya Lal Patidar, Satyanarayan Dhangar, Abhishek Patidar, Bablu, Ghanshyam Dhakad and Chintaman Patidar -- were killed in the police firing at Pipliya Mandi during the agitation on June 6 last year.

10:48 AM, 6 Jun

Rahul, who will fly to Mandsaur this afternoon, address the "kisan rally" at Khokhra (Pipliya Mandi) in the district.

10:47 AM, 6 Jun

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will meet family members of the farmers killed in police firing during an agitation in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh on the first anniversary of the incident today.

9:09 AM, 5 Jun

Supporting the farmers agitation, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President, Sharad Pawar asked them to continue the stir till their demands were met. Farmers in the country are on a 10-day strike since June 1 demanding remunerative prices for their produce and waiver of farm loans. Pawar reminded the government of the assurances they had given the farmers and not fulfilled, which has forced them to take this drastic step.

4:09 PM, 4 Jun

"Protests have been peaceful so far. In several places farmers set up shops to sell vegetables directly to consumers which benefited everyone. But to avoid dispute between suppliers and farmers we've decided to end our protest, in Punjab, on June 6 itself," says BS Raju of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU).

12:40 PM, 4 Jun

"We have decided to support organisation of farmers in Palghar, not for any political motive but for farmers and their rights," says Shiv Sena's Neelam Gore.

12:08 PM, 4 Jun

Maharashtra: Protesters spilled milk on road in Nagpur against Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh's remark on the ongoing farmers' strike; distributed milk to locals who came up with utensils requesting for it.

10:50 AM, 1 Jun

In Mandsaur, the police were reported to have made farmers sign bonds of Rs 24,000 that they would not join the strike.

10:50 AM, 1 Jun

Swabhiman Shetkari Sangathana, which took part in the Maharashtra agitation for loan waiver, is staying away and has questioned the credibility of these organisations. RSS-backed Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has also decided to not participate.

10:50 AM, 1 Jun

Over 100 outfits are taking part in the protest. The protest is being convened by Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh which is the umbrella organisation.

10:57 AM, 1 Jun

According to reports, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Mandsaur on June 6 where six farmers were killed a years ago in police firing. The Congress leader is expected to hold a condolence meet and address a mega rally in the region.

11:04 AM, 1 Jun

Among their major demands are one-time loan waiver, higher minimum support prices and higher prices for their produce in general.

11:06 AM, 1 Jun

The situation is normal here.There is no shortage in supply of important things like milk & vegetables. We have deployed adequate police force, so that if anything happens we can take care of it, says OP Shrivastava, Mandsaur Collector on Farmers Protest

The situation is normal here.There is no shortage in supply of important things like milk & vegetables. We have deployed adequate police force, so that if anything happens we can take care of it: OP Shrivastava, Mandsaur Collector on Farmers Protest. #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/LZDRGrvtO3
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2018

11:29 AM, 1 Jun

Five companies of police have been deployed. Aprt from that, 200 CCTV cameras have also been installed besides 20 drones which have been keeping a watch.

11:29 AM, 1 Jun

In the wake of farmers’ protest, local administration of Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, has made elaborate security arrangements so that no untoward incident takes place.

#MadhyaPradesh: Visuals of security in Mandsaur as farmers observe 10-days' 'Kisan Avkash' during which they will not supply vegetables, grains and to the cities. pic.twitter.com/SWVmAqYulp
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2018

11:31 AM, 1 Jun

The spokesperson of Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh said that this protest is an ultimatum to the Narendra Modi government that if they do not take the necessary course of action, they will have to face what Indira Gandhi government did.

11:39 AM, 1 Jun

In Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, farmers begin on 10-days' strike 'Kisan Avkash' demanding loan waiver and implementation of Swaminathan commission.

11:50 AM, 1 Jun

In Punjab, Farmers in Faridkot throw their produce and hold back supplies like vegetable, fruits and milk from being supplied to cities, demanding farmer loan waiver and implementation of Swaminathan commission

Punjab: Farmers in Faridkot thold back supplies like vegetable, fruits and milk from being supplied to cities, demanding farmer loan waiver and implementation of Swaminathan commission (Earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/P4Zl0Y8lX1
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2018

11:56 AM, 1 Jun

We have decided to observe a Bharat Bandh on June 10 till 2 pm. Would like to request all the businessmen of cities to close their shops till 2 pm & pay tribute to farmers who have lost their lives in previous years, says Shiv Kumar Sharma, President, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh

12:16 PM, 1 Jun

Farmers in Barnala district of Punjab to park 500 tractors before the Deputy Commissioner to protest against rising diesel prices.

12:27 PM, 1 Jun

Farmers spill milk on the road during their 10 days 'Kisan Avkash' protest, in Ludhiana's Samrala

Punjab: Farmers spill milk on the road during their 10 days 'Kisan Avkash' protest, in Ludhiana's Samrala (Earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/rh7Fp5uVnl
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2018

1:35 PM, 1 Jun

Narmada Bachao activist Medha Patkar and representatives of the Kisan Sabha will address farmers in Sehore at 5 pm.

1:36 PM, 1 Jun

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu is set to visit Patto village, near Chunni in Fatehgarh Sahib district today at 1.15 pm in support of demands of the farmers and purchase milk and vegetables from them.

3:06 PM, 1 Jun

Farmers in Bhopal say, 'This feels like a normal day, we are not facing any problem. We don't want any type of agitation & we are not even a part of it. This is a conspiracy of the political parties'.

3:22 PM, 1 Jun

It is reported that two youths have been arrested in connection with the violence in Fatehabad.

4:18 PM, 1 Jun

Reports say that farmers have stopped supply of vegetables and milk to various cities of Punjab and Haryana. An Indian Express quoted Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Balbir Singh Rajewal as saying, "We are getting very good response from fellow farmers for their support to this agitation. At majority of places in the state, farmers have stopped bringing vegetables, milk and other items to the cities for sale."

9:48 AM, 2 Jun

Farmers continue their protest for the second day as they observe 10-day 'Kisan Avkash' in Ludhiana.

9:48 AM, 2 Jun

Vendors at Okhla vegetable market say prices have shot up due to country-wide farmers' protest.

10:26 AM, 2 Jun

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar speaks on farmers' strike

#WATCH: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar speaks on farmers' strike, says, 'they don't have any issues, they are just focusing on unnecessary things, not selling produce will bring losses to farmers.' (01.06.2018) pic.twitter.com/CFY7dzgj2g
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2018

11:12 AM, 2 Jun

Balkrishna Patidar, Madhya Pradesh minister for Agriculture, says, "Its 2nd June today,where is the strike happening? No farmers are participating in the strike. Farmers are happy with the schemes CM has launched for them.They have faith that state¢ral govt will solve their problems."

1:53 PM, 2 Jun

In his unique way, the cricketer-turned-politician visited village Patto along with Congress MLAs Kuljit Singh Nagra and Gurpreet Singh and bought milk and vegetables from farmers to highlight their significant contribution in the development of the nation.

1:53 PM, 2 Jun

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu slammed the Centre for ignoring the agriculture sector.

2:21 PM, 2 Jun

Madhya Pradesh: Farmers in Mandsaur on 10-day 'Kisan Avkash' strike prepared 'Kheer' and distributed it among villagers. The farmers during the ten-day strike are not supplying vegetables, fruits, grains and milk to cities.

5:23 PM, 2 Jun

"Desh mein 12-14 Crore kisaan hain. Kisi bhi sangathan mein 1000-2000 kisaan svabhavik hain aur media mein aane ke liye anokha kaam karna hi padta hai (There are 12-14 crore farmers in the country. In any organisation of farmers there could be 1000-2000 members and to hog media limelight they have to do something unique)," says agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh.

5:23 AM, 3 Jun

Vegetables became dearer in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh as farm supplies dwindled due to the agitation launched by farmers, even as union ministers and state governments sought to downplay toe impact of the protests.

9:47 PM, 3 Jun

BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, former union finance minister Yashwant Sinha, and ex-VHP leader Praveen Togadia are likely to join the farmers' stir in Mandsaur, the epicentre of last year's agitation in which six peasants were killed in police firing, on June 8.

9:48 PM, 3 Jun

Madhya Pradesh remained largely peaceful today on a third day of the 10-day agitation by farmers demanding remunerative prices for their produce and waiver of farm loans, among others.