Appeal of the Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has failed to have an impact on ‘farmers’. Tomar appealed farmers to end their agitation and go home. The minister had appealed in the light of centre government tabling the bill to repeal farm laws.
It seems that the protesters are hell- bent on marching to the Parliament. They plan to reach parliament on 60 tractors with over 1,000 people.
In a show of magnanimity and political maturity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently announced repeal the farm laws. Subsequently, on Wednesday, Union Cabinet has cleared the bill to roll back the farm laws. Now, on Monday, Cabinet will deliberate on the bill. In light of announcement by PM, it is just a formality.
But, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait seems adamant. He says repeal of the laws will not be sufficient. The protesting farmers organised a rally on the borders of Delhi. This show of strength was ostensibly held to mark completion of one-year of farm protests.
Tikait said that the crowd at the border has shown resolve to demand MSP. Furthermore, the protesters are now demanding compensation and revoking of FIRs against their members besides a law on the MSP.
Go home: Tomar to farmers
Tomar told ANI, “After the announcement of the repeal of the three farm laws, there is no point in continuing farmers’ agitation. I urge farmers to end their agitation and go home.”
On protesters’ new demand, he added, “As far as cases registered during the protest are concerned, it comes under the jurisdiction of state govts & they will take a decision. State govts will decide on the issue of compensation too, as per their state policy.”
However, it all has failed to make the protesters agree. Tikait, who is pushing for the Parliament march, is reminding us of a similar march held in January. It was during this march that the shameful Red Fort violence took place.
Update
After agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar’s appeal and his agreeing to decriminalising stubble burning, protesting farmers have called off its November 29 tractor march to Parliament. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of 40 farm unions, announced it was suspending its plan to hold protests in Delhi to coincide with the winter session till Dec 4.