Farmers Protest: Another Round Of Talks Between Centre-Farmers Remain Inconclusive, Next Meet On Jan 15

Farmers Protest, Kisan Andolan: Prior to this meeting, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had expressed the hope of dialogue in a 'positive environment' to put an end to the deadlock. During the meeting, both were reportedly adamant on their respective positions.

New Delhi: The eighth round of talks between the protesting farmers and the government once again failed to break the stalemate and the next meeting to discuss the contentious farm laws will now be held of January. Before today's meeting, Centre had expressed hope of positive results from the meeting while the farmers threatened to intensify the stir if their demand to repeal three contentious farm laws is not fulfilled. "There was a heated discussion, we said we don't want anything other than repeal of laws. We won't go to any Court, this (repeal) will either be done or we'll continue to fight. Our parade on 26th Jan will go on as planned," Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha told news agency ANI.

There was a heated discussion, we said we don't want anything other than repeal of laws. We won't go to any Court, this (repeal) will either be done or we'll continue to fight. Our parade on 26th Jan will go on as planned: Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha pic.twitter.com/uzuckdI8DM

— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2021

"Farmers won't relent before the laws are repealed. We'll come on 15th again. We're not going anywhere. The govt wanted to talk about amendments. We don't wish to have clause wise discussions. We simply want a repeal of the new farm laws," Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union told reporters after the meeting.

Farmers won't relent before the laws are repealed. We'll come on 15th again. We're not going anywhere. The govt wanted to talk about amendments. We don't wish to have clause wise discussions. We simply want a repeal of the new farm laws: Rakesh Tikait, Spox, Bharatiya Kisan Union pic.twitter.com/wAB0YXq2wt

— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2021

Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal were present in talks with farmer leaders. Earlier, these two ministers held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his home. Prior to this meeting, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had expressed the hope of dialogue in a 'positive environment' to put an end to the deadlock. During the meeting, both were reportedly adamant on their respective positions. Farmer leader Gurbaksa Singh Barnala said that the farmers will intensify the stir and enter Delhi on Republic Day if their demands are not met. "There is no way forward but to repeal the three laws," he said. Agri Minister Narendra Tomar's statement after round 8 meet "Discussion on the laws was taken up but no decision could be made. Government urged that if farmer unions give an option other than repealing, we will consider it. But no option could be presented, so the meeting was concluded and it was decided to hold next meeting on January 15," Tomar told reporters. "Those supporting the protest are of the view that the laws be repealed and there are many others who support the laws. Government is continuously talking to the unions who want these laws be repealed. We also give appointment to those supporting the laws, when they request us," he said. In the meeting, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that a law is for the whole country and not for any state. Farmers of the country are giving great support to these laws. The Agriculture Minister said that farmer leaders should withdraw the ongoing movement in the interest of the country. On the other hand, the farmers said that they want Centre to withdraw new Farm laws. Apart from this, nothing is acceptable for them. During the meeting, the government also made it clear that it is not ready to accept the farmers' demand. Before the talks on Thursday, farmers showed their strength at the borders near Delhi. After taking out a march of thousands of tractors, the farmers showed the teaser of "Republic-Day parade". Farmer leaders said that we will definitely take out a humongous tractor march on January 26, and if the government does not agree to their terms and conditions, they are ready to continue the movement for next few years as well. In the sixth round of talks between the farmers' organizations and the Centre on December 30, two demands of farmers' were accepted i.e to exclude stubble burning and to continue subsidizing electricity.