Delhi Police To Meet Farmers' Leaders To Suggest Alternative Venues Ahead Of July 22 Parliament Protest

Several rounds of talks between farmers and the government have failed to break the deadlock. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has said that the protest outside parliament will be a peaceful one.

New Delhi: The Delhi Police officials will meet a delegation of farmers on Sunday to suggest alternative venues to protest in the national capital. This meeting is going to be held in view of protesting farmers planning to agitate from July 22 till the end of Parliament's monsoon session.

Last week, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait revealed that 200 people will hold protests near Parliament from July 22, in view of the ongoing farmers' protests.

While speaking to news agency ANI, Tikait had said, "If the Centre wants discussion on farm laws, we're ready for talks. But, if talks do not happen or reap fruitful results, then from July 22 onwards, 200 of our people will hold protests near Parliament."

Previously, Rakesh Tikait had said the farmers are ready to resume talks with the union government on the contentious agrarian laws but emphasised that the discussions should be held without conditions.

His remarks were in response to the statements by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar who had said the government is ready to resume negotiations with the protesting farmers to discuss desired changes in the legislation while the possibility for repealing laws is completely ruled out. 

Farmers mostly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been camping at Delhi borders since November last year, demanding that the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 be rolled back and a new law be made to guarantee minimum support price for crops.

Several rounds of talks between farmers and the government have failed to break the deadlock.

Talking about demonstrations outside the parliament, Rakesh Tikait said "it will be a peaceful protest. We will sit outside the Parliament while proceedings will continue in the House".

As per the plan, 200 people will reach the protest site outside the Parliament via buses.

The Monsoon session of Parliament will be held from July 19 to August 13. It will have 19 working days.