Farmers Refuse Amit Shah’s Offer, Haryana Khaps Extend Support

Addressing a press conference from the Singhu border on Sunday, 29 November, State President of BKU Krantikari (Punjab) Surjeet Singh Phul said that they will never go to Burari calling it “an open jail” and not a park.

Meanwhile, Haryana Khaps extended support to the protesting farmers.

This comes a day after Home Minister Amit Shah had said that the government is ready to “deliberate on every problem and the demands of the farmers”, given the protest is shifted to the “designated place”.

However, the farmers on Sunday rejected the offer.Meanwhile, Speaking on his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat' on Sunda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government is “committed to the welfare of farmers” and that the new reforms have provided “new opportunities” to the farmers.

• Farmer bodies to intensify stir, protests to start in other states from 1 December

• Home Minister Amit Shah had asked the protesters to shift to “designated place” to hold talks before 3 December

All Haryana Khaps to Support Protesting Farmers: Sombir Sangwan, Dadri MLA

All Khaps of Haryana on Sunday, 29 November, unanimously decided to support protesting farmers by all means, informed Sombir Sangwan, Haryana Khap Pradhan and Dadri MLA, according to ANI.

The Dadri MLA further informed that Khaps will gather on Sunday and proceed towards Delhi.

"“We request Centre to re-consider Farm Laws. Everyone has a right to express themselves.”" - Sombir Sangwan, Haryana Khap Pradhan and Dadri MLA

Lawyers Assemble Outside SC in Solidarity With Protesters

Senior Advocate HS Phoolka, on Sunday, 29 Novembers, assembled with lawyers outside the Supreme Court to express solidarity with farmers of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest, according to ANI.

"“Senior Advocate HS Phoolka assembles with lawyers outside the Supreme Court to express solidarity with farmers of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest.”" - Senior Advocate HS Phoolka

Farmer Leader Apologises to Media for Alleged Misbehaviour by Few Protesters

Surjeet S Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab), on Sunday, amid a press conference, apologised to the media for alleged misbehaviour by few protesters and said:

"“We want to apologise to media for misbehaviour with them by a few protesters unknowingly. To avoid such situations in future, we’ve decided that after every meeting, an official press note will be released by us for media.”" - Surjeet S Phul

Won't Allow Any Political Leader to Speak On Our Stage: Surjeet S Phul

“We've decided that we won't allow any political party leader to speak on our stage, be it Congress, BJP, AAP or other parties,” said Surjeet S Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab).

"“Our Committee will allow other organisations, who are supporting us, to speak if they follow our rules.”" - Surjeet S Phul

We Will Gherao Delhi, In Stead of Going to Open Jail: Surjeet S Phul

“Instead of going to open jail in Burari, we've decided that we will gherao Delhi by blocking five main entry points to Delhi,” said Surjeet S Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab), on Sunday, 29 November.

"“We’ve got four months ration with us, so nothing to worry. Our Operations Committee will decide everything.”" - Surjeet S Phul

Govt Open to Talks, Farmers Union Should Create Atmosphere: Union Agriculture Minister

“Government has proposed to meet on 3 December for fourth time”, said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, on Sunday, 29 November, according to ANI.

"“So, talks are already going on, nobody should think government isn’t ready for it. Govt is open for talks, farmers’ unions should create atmosphere for it. They should leave agitation and choose talks.”" - Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar

Burari Is Not a Park But an Open Jail: Surjeet Singh Phul

“The condition put forward for talks is an insult to farmers”, said Surjeet Singh Phul, State President of BKU Krantikari (Punjab), according to ANI, on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's offer to hold talks before 3 December.

"“We will never go to Burari (Delhi). It is not a park but an open jail.”" - Surjeet Singh Phul

Centre Should Let Go of Stubbornness: Ex Haryana CM Hooda

The centre should let go of their stubbornness and invite farmers for negotiations, said Bhupinder S Hooda, Former Chief Minister Haryana, according to ANI.

“The way Haryana govt tried to stop farmers, it has hurt their sentiments. Farmers' demands are justified and I support them. I urge the centre to find solution,” Hooda said.

Singhu Border Still Closed From Both Sides: Delhi Traffic Police

Singhu border still closed from both sides, reported ANI citing, Delhi Traffic Police.

According to ANI, Delhi Traffic Police informed:

"“Singhu border still closed from both sides. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba Chowk and GTK road. Traffic is very very heavy. Please avoid outer ring road from signature bridge to Rohini & vice versa, GTK road, NH 44 and Singhu borders.”" - Delhi Traffic Police

This development comes after protesting farmers called for a press conference at Singhu border at 4:45 pm on Sunday.

We'll Not Go to Burari, Will Brief Media: Farmers

“We'll not go to Burari (Delhi). Our 30 farmers' organisations take decisions after consensus is developed. Our leaders will brief media about it later today,” said Baldev Singh Sirsa, Farmers' leader at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana), according to ANI.

This is in response to Home Minister's offer to hold talks before 3 December.

I Never Called the Farmers' Protest Politically Motivated: Amit Shah

Speaking at Hyderabad, Union Home Minsiter Amit Shah, on Sunday, 29 November, according to ANI, said:

"“I never called the farmers’ protest politically motivated, neither I am calling it now.”"

Never Called the Farmers Protest Politically Motivated: Shah

Answering a question on the farmers’ protest in Hyderabad, Union Minister Amit Shah said that he has neither called the farmers’ protest politically motivated, nor is he calling them now.

Shah is in Hyderabad ahead of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls due on 1 December.

Punjab Govt Will Be Responsible for Any COVID-Related Situation: Khattar

As the farmers’ protest continues, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said, “If any dangerous situation arises due to coronavirus, the Punjab government will be responsible for it. I tried to speak to Punjab CM on this matter but he denied receiving any call. Later, when I showed proof, he was left speechless.”

What Is the Point of Talks If PM Is Defending the Farm Laws: Surjewala

After Prime Minister Modi spoke about the farm laws in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address and said that the laws give “new opportunities” to the farmers, Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala questioned the Centre’s intention to “deliberate on every problem” if the prime minister defends the laws.

Referring to Amit Shah’s visit to Hyderabad, Surjewala said that Amit Shah can travel to Hyderabad for a roadshow but can travel 15 km to meet the farmers.

Farmers Reject Amit Shah's Offer

Farmers, who are protesting in and around Delhi, have rejected Union Minister Amit Shah’s offer for a discussion, stating that they will stay put “at the border points”. Farmer bodies have called upon other farmers to reach Delhi in large numbers.

As per a statement released by All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), all India protests will be intensified and protests in other states will start from 1 December.

“Instead of responding to the main demands of repealing of 3 black laws and the withdrawal of the Electricity Bill 2020, the government is doing its best to move the debate to where the farmers should camp,” the statement read.

Shah had earlier reached out to the farmers and said that early talks would be held if farmers shift the protest to the designated place.

Will Be Better If Centre Reconsiders Farm Laws: Mayawati

As thousands of farmers continue to protest in the national capital and on its outskirts against the farm laws, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati asked the central government to reconsider the laws.

Taking to Twitter, Mayawati wrote, “The newly-implemented farm laws have sparked nationwide protests. Keeping this in view, it would be better if the central government reconsiders these laws which were passed without farmers’ consent.”

Farmers Should Be Allowed To Stage Protest Where They Want: Satyendra Jain

After Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to the protesting farmers and said the government will talk to them before 3 December if they agree to protest at the designated venue, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said that the government talks with the farmers should not be conditional.

“There should not be any condition for talks with farmers. The talks should be held immediately. They are the farmers of our country. They should be allowed to stage their protest where they want,” Jain told ANI.

Govt Committed to Welfare of Farmers, Says PM Modi Amid Protests

During his monthly radio address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government is “committed to the welfare of farmers”.

“Parliament has recently passed farm reform laws after rigorous brainstorming. These reforms have not only broken shackles of farmers but have also given new rights and opportunities to them,” PM Modi said.

Farmers Being Treated Like Terrorists: Sanjay Raut

Speaking to the media, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that the farmers are being treated like “terrorists” and are being called “Khalistani”.

“The way farmers have been stopped from entering Delhi, it looks like as if they don't belong to this country. They have been treated like terrorists. Since they are Sikhs and have come from Punjab and Haryana, they’re being called Khalistanis. It is insult to farmers.”

Govt Is Ready To Deliberate on Demands: Amit Shah To Farmers

Home Minister Amit Shah said, “I appeal to the protesting farmers that Government of India is ready to hold talks. Agriculture Minister has invited them on 3 December for discussion. (The) Govt is ready to deliberate on every problem and demand of the farmers.”

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