Dilli Chalo Protest: After Amit Shah's Request, Farmers Hold Key Meet To Discuss Next Move

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had requested the farmers to shift their protest to the Burari ground and also said that the central govt is ready to hold a discussion with them even before Dec 3.

Thousands of farmers gathered at Singh border as a part of Dilli Chalo Protest. (PTI Photo)

Farmers' Protest: Thousands of farmers stay put at Delhi's Singhu and Tikri borders as their protest against center's contentious agricultural laws enters the fourth day. A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah proposed a meeting with the farmers requesting them to move to the Burari ground, farmers have decided to hold a key meet to discuss their move. Also Read|Farmers' Protest: Amit Shah Says Centre Ready For Talks, Urges Farmers Not To Block Highways "We will discuss on how to engage in talks with the centre. We are ready for talks with the centre only if they invite us for the same," said Ruldu Singh, state president of Punjab Kisan Union which is among the 500 organizations that are part of the protest. Singh, who is camping at the Singhu border near outer Delhi's Narela, added that apart from the farm laws, they also want the withdrawal of the electricity amendment bill (2020). "We firmly know that the union government will not agree to all our demands. While getting the three farm laws revoked is our primary demand, we also want the withdrawal of the electricity amendment bill (2020). If the government insists on farm laws, then we will push for legalising MSP for the purchase of every crop," he said. Amit Shah requests farmers to move their protest to Burari ground "I appeal to the protesting farmers that govt of India is ready to hold talks. Agriculture Minister has invited them on December 3 for discussion. Government is ready to deliberate on every problem & demand of the farmers," Home Minister said. While speaking to news agency ANI, Shah also said that if farmers' unions want to hold a discussion before December 3 then, we want to assure them that as soon as they shift their protest to a designated place, the Centre will hold talks to address their concerns the very next day. Earlier this week, visuals showed farmers surging ahead despite the heavy presence of security personnel to stop their advance. As opposition parties and social media users rallied behind them, the Centre on Friday agreed to hold talks over their demands. "The government has always been ready to discuss issues with farmers. We have invited farmers' organisations for another round of talks on 3rd December. I appeal to them to leave agitation in view of COVID-19 and winter," Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.