Bharat Bandh HIGHLIGHTS: Round 6 Talks On Wednesday Cancelled, Says Farmer Leaders After Meeting Amit Shah

Bharat Bandh, 8 December HIGHLIGHTS: A day before the government's crucial sixth round of talks with representatives of protesting farmers, Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday met a select group of union leaders in a bid to break the deadlock.Around 13 farmer leaders were called for the meeting, which began after 8 pm. The farmer leaders included eight from Punjab and five from various nationwide organisations.The meeting assumes significance as farmer leaders have been firm on their demand for repeal of three new farm laws enacted in September, which they claim will benefit corporates and end the mandi system and the minimum support price (MSP) regime.

Background

As many as 35 farmer unions have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ or a nationwide strike on Tuesday against the three farm laws passed by the Centre in September. The unions include the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and its different factions, Krantikari Kisan Union and Kisan Sangharsh Committee. Some other Left Front backed groups are also part of this.The call for complete shutdown, comes a day ahead of the sixth meeting, between protesting farmers and the center, is meant to mount pressure on the government to repeal three contentious agriculture reform laws. Farmers reiterated they won't give space to any political party and said their protest is "peaceful and will continue that way". However, the centre has issued a nationwide advisory suggesting "tight security" for "peace" and ensuring Covid-19 guidelines are followed.The Bandh will start from 11 AM and will continue till 3 PM, so people can reach their office on time.  "Tomorrow's Bharat Bandh is from 11 am to 3 pm. It is a symbolic protest. We will begin at 11 am so everyone can reach the office on time... Services such as ambulance, even weddings, can go on. People can show their card and leave," Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said.In Delhi, fruits and vegetables could be in short supply. "Most of our traders are supporting the Bharat Bandh call. Hence, mandis at Ghazipur, Okhla, and Narela will be heavily impacted," said Adil Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Azadpur Mandi - Asia's largest wholesale market.Commuters in Delhi and Tamil Nadu may face problems as some cab and taxi unions, including those associated with app-based aggregators, have decided to back the shutdown. But autos and those offering last-mile connectivity would continue to ply, unions said. The government said arrangements have been to ensure people can commute easily during the bandh.Supply truck movement could be hit in many states as all motor transport unions of India have come out in farmers' support. They will organise peaceful demonstrations and try to submit a memorandum to District Collectors and Commissioners to resolve the issues "amicably and to farmers' satisfaction at the earliest".

08/12/2020 23:44:56

Government not ready to repeal agriculture sector laws, say farmer leaders after meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah. " Home Minister told us govt will give in writing amendments it is willing to make. We want repeal of laws, there is no middle path," said AIKS leader and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Hannan Mollah.

08/12/2020 23:16:39

Crucial Round 6 Talks Between Farmers & Govt Cancelled




No meeting will be held between farmers and govt tomorrow. The minister has said that a proposal will be given to the farmer leaders tomorrow. Farmer leaders will hold a meeting over govt's proposal: Hannan Mollah, General Secy, All India Kisan Sabha




The Government is not ready to take back the farm laws: Hannan Mollah

08/12/2020 22:19:21

Farmers claim success, Bandh evokes mixed response across country




The farmers unions have claimed that the nationwide strike called by them was successful and the people supported their cause while the Bharat Bandh on Tuesday evoked a mixed response across the country.




After the bandh the farmers addressed a joint press conference and claimed that they have got support from two more farmers unions and now they are a total of 32 organisations.

08/12/2020 22:15:10

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) said in a statement on Tuesday that about 90 lakh trucks, tempos and trailors stood still on Tuesday following a call by the AIMTC to support the farmers' call of Bharat Bandh, even as the transport industry suffered losses to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore. Yet, the AIMTC will continue to support the farmers' cause.

08/12/2020 21:58:36

JUST IN | Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has arrived at te ICAR building in New Delhi to join farmers' meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It is also being said that farmers will hold a late-night meeting after talks with Amit Shah.

08/12/2020 21:23:30

Amit Shah meets farmer leaders ahead of crucial talks




A day before the government's crucial sixth round of talks with representatives of protesting farmers, Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday met a select group of union leaders in a bid to break the deadlock.




Sources said 13 farmer leaders were called for the meeting, which began after 8 pm. The farmer leaders included eight from Punjab and five from various nationwide organisations.




Sources said the participating leaders included Hannan Mollah of the All India Kisan Sabha and Rakesh Tikait of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU).

08/12/2020 21:20:12

JUST IN | Home minister Amit Shah has reached the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in the national capital to meet farmer leaders ahead of Round 6 talks of negotiations on Wednesday over the contentious farm laws.

08/12/2020 20:14:07

Opposition parties have attacked the central government over the Bharat Bandh against the contentious farm laws. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi along with Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav led the onslaught as the Samajwadi Party and the Congress described the Centre as anti-farmer and pro-rich.

08/12/2020 20:08:53

We are talking to our people on where the meeting is to be held: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union on being asked about the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah

08/12/2020 20:01:29

JUST IN | Leaders of various political parties were confined to their houses in Ghaziabad on Tuesday during 'Bharat Bandh' called by protesting farmers while Bhim Army workers were lathicharged as they headed to the demonstrations in Ghazipur border.

08/12/2020 19:31:34

Amid slogans and speeches, farmers observe Bharat Bandh at Delhi's Tikri border




Rousing slogans and speeches reverberated through the air at Tikri Border during the Bhart Bandh on Tuesday as thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan demanded revocation of the new farm laws




Chants of 'Jai kisan', 'Humara bhai chara zindabad, Kisan ekta zindabad,' 'tanashahi nahi chalegi', could be heard loud and clear as over 2000 farmers shouted in unison, amid heavy security deployment by the Delhi police.

08/12/2020 18:47:34

Glad that Bharat Bandh was successful: Arvind Kejriwal




"I am glad Bharat Bandh was successful. I prayed for protesting farmers while sitting inside, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal from his residence.
If I wasn't stopped, I would have gone & supported farmers in their Bharat Bandh call," Kejriwal said while addressing AAP members from his residence.




"I had planned that today I would go to the border not as CM but as a common man to express my solidarity with the farmers. I think they came to know about my plan and they did not let me go," Delhi CM said.

08/12/2020 18:44:37

NCP president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said the new farm laws brought by the Centre have no reference about agricultural produce market committees but as Union minister he had maintained that the APMC Act should stay, though with minor changes.

08/12/2020 18:12:15

Delhi Traffic Update | In the wake of ongoing farmer's protest, only two-wheelers and pedestrian movements have been allowed at Tikri, Jharoda, Dhansa Borders. Movements have been close for any other vehicles.

08/12/2020 18:09:24

Around 25 RJD supporters narrowly escape death on rail tracks




Around two dozen RJD supporters had a providential escape on Tuesday morning as they rallied on the rail tracks in Nalanda district of Bihar even as party workers disrupted train services in quite a few other districts as well.




A video clip that went viral on social media showed the RJD supporters holding posters and banners in support of 'Bharat Bandh' and trying to stop the oncoming Rajgir-New Delhi Sharmjeevi Express at the Pawapuri railway station.

08/12/2020 17:01:13

We do not want to cause any inconvenience to anyone from Delhi or Haryana, we should be allowed to hold protest at Ramlila Ground: RS Mansa, Punjab Kisan Union at Singhu (Haryana-Delhi border)

08/12/2020 16:37:53

Bharat Bandh: In Aurangabad, farmers demand MSP assurance




They might not be aware of the complexities of farm pricing, but farmers in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra wanted to know why the prices of agri produce cannot be fixed like soaps and edible oil. The farmers PTI spoke to on Tuesday are unanimous in supporting the Bharat Bandh and the ongoing protests in Delhi by members of their fraternity.




"Farmers can't stop their routine work as it is the matter of bread and butter for him. Though the possibility of politicians inciting farmers cannot be ruled out, but farmers will never agitate for wrong demands. I support the 'Bharat Bandh', and to show my solidarity, I have curtailed my routine work in my field," said Subhash Rathod from Pultanda village.

08/12/2020 15:45:22

Sena men will go to Delhi if farmers don't get justice: MLA


(PTI)
Maharashtra minister and Shiv

Sena leader Abdul Sattar on Tuesday said the party workers will go to Delhi if issues of farmers are not resolved soon.

Speaking to reporters at Sillod in Aurangabad district, Sattar said the Bharat Bandh being observed by farmer organisations for repeal of three agri farm laws has been successful.

08/12/2020 15:44:23

Bharat Bandh: Life hit in some states as protests turn aggressive



In many states including Rajathan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, Bengal and Odisha, the impact of the strike was evident. Shops and commercial establishments were closed, transport affected and traffic disrupted as protesters squatted on roads and train tracks in several parts of the country.

08/12/2020 15:21:32

Bharat Bandh LIVE: Bharatiya Kisan Union to hold meet with Home Minister Amit Shah tonight






We have a meeting with the Home Minister at 7 pm today. We are going to Singhu Border now and from there we will go to the Home Minister: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bharatiya Kisan Union

08/12/2020 14:48:26

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE : Nobody is supporting Bandh in Bengaluru, says Yeddiyurappa



No one is supporting the Bandh in Bengaluru & other parts of the state. The State & Centre is pro-farmer. PM won't take any decision against farmers. It’s not right to give the call for Bandh for political reasons. Police will take proper action on breaking the law: Karnataka CM

08/12/2020 14:46:21

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE Situation in Delhi peaceful, all major markets open, says police



Delhi Police have assured that the situation in the national capital is normal and all the markets and shops are functioning smoothly. enior police officers are patrolling the streets and a constant vigil is being kept at all major points in the capital.

08/12/2020 14:44:05

Supporting Bharat Bandh shows hypocrisy of political parties, say top ministers



Prakash Javadekar told the media: "Supporting the Bharat Bandh called in the name of farmers is nothing but hypocrisy by political parties. They are the ones who brought in a law to abolish the APMC and implemented contract farming in several states ruled by them. Now their hypocrisy has been exposed."

08/12/2020 13:58:25

Bharat Bandh LIVE: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar arrives at the residence of Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to meet him.

08/12/2020 13:49:02

Bharat Bandh LIVE: Update from Puducherry


Farmers’ associations demonstrate march on the streets of Puducherry, in support of #BharatBandh called by farmer unions against the Central Government's Farm Laws

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy was also present.

08/12/2020 13:41:52

Bharat Bandhi LIVE : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged people to support the Bharat Bandh call given by farmer leaders and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop "stealing" from farmers.



Gandhi and the Congress party are supporting the farmers' agitation and they have demanded a repeal of the three farm laws.

08/12/2020 13:31:12

Bharat Bandh LIVE: Sarojini Nagar Shopkeepers Tie Black Ribbon To Support Farmers



Shopkeepers in Sarojini Nagar market tie black ribbons around their arms to show solidarity with farmers' protests, on Bharat Bandh

"We're doing this to show our support for the farmers' cause. Why can't the govt grant a simple demand of the MSP," says one shopkeeper

08/12/2020 12:40:57

Bharat Bandh LIVE: Protests Staged In Punjab, Haryana




Shopkeepers and petrol pump owners in most of the major towns in both the states shut their establishments expressing solidarity with the farmers. According to reports, some protesters tried to stop vehicular traffic in Amritsar district. Lakhs of government employees in Punjab decided to go on mass casual leave, while the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) kept all its institutions closed for the day.

08/12/2020 12:27:43

Bharat Bandh LIVE: Punjab: Farmers protesting the farm laws in Mohali, block Chandigarh highway

08/12/2020 11:42:13

Traffic movement hampered as farmers block NH-24 at Ghazipur



Vehicular traffic was hampered on Tuesday morning as hundreds of farmers from Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh held a sit-in at Ghazipur entry point on the National Highway-24 that connects Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, as part of their 'Bharat Bandh' call.

The protestors, however, were allowing the smooth passage for ambulances at Ghazipur, where they have been protesting for many days now. The farmers had earlier announced a total 'chakka jam' from 11 am to 3 pm.

08/12/2020 11:25:34

Mumbai's Dabbawalas support Bharat Bandh



The Farm Laws brought by the Centre will finish the farmers of the country. Farmers have started a massive agitation in north India & Bharat Bandh was announced for today. Mumbai Dabbawala Association supports the Bandh: Subhash Talekar, president, Mumbai Dabbawala Association

08/12/2020 11:20:59

Sikh teens offer water, eatables to protesters, cops at Ghazipur



Even as farmers continued to rally at the Ghazipur entry point on the Delhi-UP border on Tuesday morning, a band of four spunky Sikh teenagers were busy offering water and snacks to policemen and protesters at the spot.

Prabhjot Singh, Jaideep Singh, Harjinder Singh, and Navneet Singh told IANS that they were residents of Zhilmil Colony in Delhi and had arrived at the protest spot along with their family members and volunteers of Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha to do 'sewa' or voluntary service.

"We came here this morning and will leave later in the day. We have come here to serve the people gathered here. We also do community service at the gurdwara in our area," said the four youngsters, who are students of Classes 4, 6, and 8.

08/12/2020 11:17:19

Farmers had demanded remunerative price additional to the cost and we are giving them 50% above the cost. Congress has never offered anything during their tenure. It is PM Modi who is giving this: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar

08/12/2020 10:47:43

Delhi Police has put CM Arvind Kejriwal under house arrest ever since he visited farmers at Singhu Border yesterday, tweets Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

08/12/2020 10:30:34

Bharat Bandh: APMCs remain shut in many parts of Maharashtra



Agriculture Produce Market

Committees (APMCs) remained closed in many parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday in support of the Bharat Bandh called by agitating farmer unions to press for repeal of the Centre's agri laws.

Wholesale markets in major cities like Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and Aurangabad remained shut. Retail shops also downed shutters in many cities.

08/12/2020 10:23:16

Bihar: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers burn a tyre at Ganj Chowk in Darbhanga, in protest against Central Government, and show their support to Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions.

08/12/2020 10:07:15

Bharat Bandh LIVE: Uttar Pradesh Update


We're ensuring that public don't face inconvenience & there's no traffic disruption. Adequate security deployed at all important entry/exit points to/from the dist. We also deployed PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) force: Love Kumar, Addl CP, Gautam Buddh Nagar

08/12/2020 10:00:25

Bharat Bandh LIVE | Update From Karnataka


Congress leaders protest in support of #BharatBandh called by farmer unions, raise slogans against the Centre & show black flags, in front of Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

Party leaders Siddaramaiah, BK Hariprasad, Ramalinga Reddy and others present.

08/12/2020 09:52:43

Bharat Bandh LIVE: Heavy Security At Delhi-Haryana Border


Heavy deployment of security at Singhu border (Haryana-Delhi border). The farmers' protest at the border entered 13th day today.

Farmer Unions have called Bharat Bandh today, against the Central Government's Farm Laws

08/12/2020 09:49:44

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE: Left Workers Stop Train In West Bengal



West Bengal: Left political parties protest on the railway tracks at Jadabpur Railway Station in Kolkata & stop a train, in support of today's Bharat Bandh by farmer unions.

08/12/2020 09:37:17

Bharat Bandh Today : Telangana Update


Road Transport Corporation workers in Kamareddy extend their support to #BharatBandh by farmer unions.

A bus driver says, "CM raised his voice against Farm laws. Going with him, we the workers of RTC are protesting here. Farmers should not be subjected to injustice."

08/12/2020 09:18:54

Bharat Bandh Today : Traffic Update



The Delhi traffic police which regularly posts update about routes ever since the eruption of protests, has said that Tikri, Jharoda Borders, Dhansa are closed for any traffic movement.

Badusarai Border is open only for Light Motor Vehicle like Cars and two wheelers. Jhatikara Border is open only for two wheeler traffic, it said.

Available Open Borders to Haryana are following Borders *Daurala, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders.

08/12/2020 08:37:34

Yogi Asks Officials To Take Steps To Ensure People Don't Face Problem Due To 'Bharat Bandh'



) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday asked officials to take all necessary steps for ensuring that people do not face any problem because of the proposed 'Bharat Bandh' on Tuesday.

08/12/2020 08:35:24

Bharat Bandh Today: If someone gets stuck we will provide food and water, says BKU

Our protest will be completely peaceful. If someone gets stuck for 2-3 hours in a Bandh called by us, we provide them with water and fruits. Ours is a different concept: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bharatiya Kisan Union

08/12/2020 08:26:13

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE : Maharashtra Update



Maharashtra: Swabhimani Shetkari Saghtana staged 'Bharat Bandh Rail Roko' protest and briefly stopped a train today in Malkapur of Buldhana dist. They were later removed from the tracks by Police & detained.

08/12/2020 08:15:09

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE: Odisha Update





Odisha: Left political parties, trade unions and farmer unions stop trains at Bhubaneswar Railway Station.




Farmer Unions have called Bharat Bandh today, over Centre's Farm Laws.

08/12/2020 08:09:21

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE: Parties that have supported the strike



Congress, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, DMK, Nationalist Congress Party, CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML, RSP, AIFB and Telangana Rashtra Samithi have extended their support to the farmers who are demanding that the new farm laws be repealed.



TMC has said that though it is with farmers it does not support the Bandh.

08/12/2020 08:04:54

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE: Exams In Osmania University Cancelled



In the wake of the Bharat Bandh, all the examinations scheduled on 8th Dec under Osmania University jurisdiction have been postponed. The revised schedule will be given in due course of time. Examinations scheduled from 9th Dec will be held as per schedule, said the Controller of Exams.

08/12/2020 07:48:23

Bharat Bandh Today LIVE: Which services will be affected?



Transport Union and Truck Unions in Punjab and Haryana will stop their services in solidarity with the farmers, according to an ANI report.


Delhi's Azadpur Mandi and all other mandis in the city to remain closed tomorrow, in support of 'Bharat Bandh' call made by farmers: Adil Ahmed Khan, Chairman, Azadpur Mandi.


Bank services are likely to be affected on Tuesday, December 8. A number of bank unions have offered their support to the farmers. In a statement, the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) said that the government should come forward and resolve their demands in the interest of the nation and farmers.


Farmer leaders have said that the milk and vegetable supply will be affected on December 8. So, people should buy the essentials a day before.


During the Bandh, which will run from 8 in the morning till evening, mandis will remain closed in several states including Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.


Hotel and Restaurant Association of Punjab has decided to close all hotels, restaurants, resorts, and bars in order to extend support to the protest.

08/12/2020 07:20:35

Bharat Bandh Today, Covid-19 Protocols



"The state governments and UT administrations must ensure that the Covid-19 guidelines with regard to health and social distancing are strictly followed," the Home Ministry advisory read.

08/12/2020 07:16:49

Bharat Bandh Today: What Is The Timing Of Bharat Bandh ?



As per Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), the Bharat Bandh will begin at 11 a.m. and continue till 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

08/12/2020 07:13:54

Bharat Bandh Today: Govt issues advisory to states


In the wake of the 'Bharat Bandh' or nationwide strike called by the farmers over the contentious farm laws on Tuesday, the Opposition parties have lent their support to the call while the government has issued an advisory to the different states and Union Territories to tighten security and maintain peace and harmony.