New Delhi: Just a day after farmer unions rejected the Modi government’s draft proposal to amend the three contentious farm laws, the protesters Thursday announced that they will resume their rail blockade but this time extend it across the country.
The announcement came just moments after the Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal held a press conference saying the government was waiting for farmer unions to fix the next date for talks. Five rounds of talks have already been held but they have remained inconclusive.
“We had given an ultimatum to the Centre that by 10 December if the PM doesn’t listen to us and repeal the laws, we’ll block railway tracks. It was decided in today’s meeting that all the people of India will take to the tracks,” said Boota Singh, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakonda) president at a press conference at the Singhu border.
Soon after the farmers’ announcement, the Northern Railways PRO told ANI that train movement to Punjab will be affected due to the ongoing farmers agitation.
This is the second time that farmers have decided to block train services. They first protested on the tracks in Punjab. But in November, they had lifted their month-long rail blockade that had affected supply of essential items to the state. The farmer unions had said then that they will resume the rail blockade if the Modi government refuses to accept their demands of total repeal of the three farm laws.
Also read: What Modi govt proposed but farmers rejected — assurance on MSP, 7 amendments to new laws
‘Will shut down toll plazas’
Farmers have also decided to shut down all toll plazas across the country on 12 December. “Toll plazas have already been shut in Punjab. By 12 December even those plazas that are open will be shut down,” Singh said.
“On 14 December there will be a nationwide protest against the three farm laws and dharnas will also be held in Punjab outside offices of the district commissioners.”
While the government has stated that it is ready for more talks, the farmer leaders are insistent that there will be no dialogue until the laws are repealed.
“The government should repeal the laws then further discussions can be held. If they had accepted our demands, we would have gone for talks today itself,” said Dr Darshan Pal of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC).
The farmers also said that it is the government that has stalled the negotiations. “What benefit are we getting by leaving our homes and sitting here in the cold? The government should repeal the laws and accept our demands,” Singh said.
Also read: Farmers’ protest shows Modi’s politics is caught between India’s two middle classes
Rail roko or toll plaza shutdown – Indians have endured the Lockdown and the run down on the economy. There is nothing more to lose. Shut down for whatever time required. India will buy wheat and rice and pulses from overseas now. But law will be implemented. The culture of lobbying must be demolished.
gandhiji has taught one thing to all indians – disobedience.
but unfortunately nobody has taught us to follow the law.
that is why we indians are famous or is it infamous in breaking all the laws fron traffic laws to income tax laws.