Farmers Protest: Plan to hold a Kisan Sansad at Jantar Mantar following Parliamentary procedures. Congress, Akalis raise issue in Parliament House.
New Delhi: Farmers protesting against three Central farm laws since last November protested at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The agitation, including a Kisan Sansad, is being held in groups of some 200 while Parliament is in session, they said.
Here are the ten key thing you must know about the agitation:
- Over 200 farmers today protested at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against three Central farm laws. They arrived in buses and an SUV from the capital’s Singhu border point, escorted by the police.
- Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said farmers, too, can hold their own Parliament. “Eight months ago, they didn’t even consider us farmers. Now at least they do…the government takes part only conditional talks,” he said.
- The Delhi government and police had yesterday agreed to let them hold the Kisan Sansad from today till August 9 between 11am and 5pm. Disaster management rules were tweaked for this. Covid protocol to be strictly followed.
- After initial resistance, the police took the farmers inside a resort to count their numbers. Only 206 are allowed each day as per conditions.
- Protesters plan follow Parliamentary norms, with a speaker, a deputy speaker, a tea break etc. “We will show how to hold Parliament,” political activist Yogendra Yadav has said.
- The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned several times today amid protests against several issues, including the farm laws. Some Congress MPs said they won’t let the House function until the matter was discussed. Earlier, they protested outside Parliament on the matter. The Shiromani Akali Dal, too, demanded a discussion.
- Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar says new farm laws are beneficial. Laws can be discussed “point-wise” if farmers express the issues, he says.
- Participants in farmer protest will carry ID cards. “What do we have to do with hooliganism? Are we miscreants?” BKU’s Mr Tikait said when asked about the Republic Day violence.
- The police increase vigilance and made arrangements to tackle any untoward incident, keen on avoiding a repeat of the January 26 violence. They have asked Delhi Metro to keep extra vigil at seven stations and close them if needed.
- Traffic movement will be hit on some Delhi roads, the police said. They have made arrangements to avoid entry of potential mischief-makers through the Tikri border point.