1. Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai to meet farmer leaders in Chandigarh for the fourth round of talks.
2. Previous discussions on February 8, 12, and 15 did not resolve.
3. Aim of the meetings is to address the ongoing farmers’ protest.
New Delhi, Feb 18: Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai are scheduled to meet farmer leaders in Chandigarh for the fourth round of discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing farmers’ protest. The previous meetings, held on February 8, 12, and 15, failed to yield conclusive results.
Farmer Demands Ahead of Talks
Ahead of the upcoming discussions, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has emphasized the need for the Centre to issue an ordinance providing a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP). He stated that the “ball is in the government’s court.”
Latest Developments and Planned Actions
- Support from Various Farmer Unions: The farmers’ protests have gained support from various farmer unions across the country, including the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) and BKU leader Rakesh Tikait. They have announced plans for further demonstrations and a potential tractor march to Delhi if their demands are not met. Dharnas are planned in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand on February 21, as per Tikait.
- Mahapanchayat in Kurukshetra: Gurnam Singh Charuni, leader of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni), announced a ‘Mahapanchayat’ scheduled for Sunday at Kurukshetra. This event will witness the participation of farm organizations, labor unions, and sarpanch unions, deliberating on their next steps in supporting the protesting farmers.
- Protests Across Regions: Protesting farmers organized a tractor march in Haryana and conducted dharnas outside the residences of senior BJP leaders. Additionally, around 100 farmers were arrested during a ‘rail roko’ protest in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur.
- Internet Ban Extension: In response to the protests, the Haryana government extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts until February 19 to maintain public order.
- Continuation of Border Protests: Farmers continue to camp out at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana. This marks the sixth day of their protest after their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march was halted by security personnel.
Also Read: Assam: Five Muslim Congress MLAs Set to Join AGP Soon?
Core Demands of the Protesting Farmers
The protesting farmers are not only demanding a legal guarantee of MSP but also pushing for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pension schemes for farmers and laborers, debt waivers, no increase in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases, justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families affected by the 2020-21 agitation.
