The farmers of Haryana and Punjab who weree protesting in New Delhi, called for a nationwide strike on the 8th of December.
The agitation of thousands of farmers is against the recently passed three farm bills.
The farmers have been continuing their agitation since the 25th of November, titled as “Chalo Dilli.”
On the 8th of December, farmers across the Nation would block all toll plazas and roads leading to Delhi as they hardened their position ahead of the fifth round of talks with the Central Government, scheduled for today, the 5th of December.
In the past, the farmers’ unions/organisations conducted a total four rounds of talks with the Central Government.
However, all the negotiations and meetings failed to break the protest of the farmers.
Neither the Central Government, nor the farmers are ready to compromise.
On the 3rd of December, the Centre agreed to review the recently enacted legislation and “bring amendments” if required.
However, the farmers rejected the idea and stood firm with their demands of the three farm bills to be rolled back.
The farmers said, they do not want amendments to the new laws but want them to be rolled back entirely.
A farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chadoni, on the 4th of December said, “In our meeting today (the 5th of December,) we have decided to give a ‘Bharat Bandh’ call on December 8 during which we will also occupy all toll plazas.”
Harinder Singh Lakhowal, the General Secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union, said,“We have planned to block all roads leading to Delhi in the coming days if new farm laws are not scrapped.”
The statements and announcement regarding the Bharat Bandh was made during a press conference at Singhu border that connects Delhi and Haryana.
Mr. Lakhowal said, “Yesterday (Thursday), we told the Government that the farm laws should be withdrawn.”
In addition, speaking about the outrage of the farmers, he said farmers would burn effigies of the Government and corporate houses on the 5th of December, sportspersons would return their medals in solidarity with the farmers on the 7th of December and there would be Bharat Bandh on the 8th of December.
Meanwhile, the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said after the talks that the Government has no ego and it was discussing the issues raised by farmers with an open mind.
Another round of talks between the farmer’s unions and the Central Government is scheduled today, the 5th of December at 3:00 P.M.
Stay tuned for further updates.
