Another Delegation Meets Agri Minister in Support of New Laws
The farmer leaders sitting on a day-long hunger strike while protesting against the three new agricultural laws on Monday have ended their fast.
They ended their fast after “Ardaas” of Guru Nanak Dev.
They also appealed to other farmer leaders at other borders like Ghazipur to end their day-long hunger strike.
They also prayed for the welfare of all (Sarbat da Bhala) and for the success of their cause by reciting Gurbani.
The prayers ended with the slogan “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh” resonating in the air at the Singhu border protest site.
After ending their strike, the farmer leaders drank water and ate fruits like apples and oranges.
They had begun their fast at 8 am on Monday.
Leaders of farmer unions observed a day-long hunger strike at Delhi’s Singhu border on Monday to protest against the Centre’s new farm laws.
The unions claimed that demonstrations were also held at various district headquarters across the country. The hunger strike began at 8 am and ended at 5 pm even as talks with the government remained inconclusive.
The unions said more people are expected to join the ongoing agitation, which entered the third week. United Farmers’ Front said leaders also observed a two minute-silence over the alleged deaths of over 20 protesters at Delhi borders in last 18 days.
As protests continued, yet another delegation of farmers, led by All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), met agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar to extend their support to the legislations.
This is a fourth group of farmers to have extended their support to the laws in the past two weeks. Led by its general secretary Gunavath Patil Hangergekar, the AIKCC, which has presence in 28 states, submitted a representation to the minister seeking continuation of the three farm laws, with some amendments. The previous groups were from Haryana and Uttarakhand.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, meanwhile, joined AAP leaders, MLAs and volunteers at the party office to observe fast in support of protesting farmers and said the three agri-marketing laws will lead to “immense inflation and just favour a few capitalists”, as he termed the legislations “anti-farmer and anti-common man”.
“I appeal to parties to stop playing dirty politics over farmers’ issue. These laws are anti-farmers and anti-aam aadmi and are aimed to benefit a few capitalists. These laws will lead to immense inflation through hoarding,” Kejriwal said.