WhilePrime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing the people of the country on Sundaythrough his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', the protesting farmersopposed it by beating 'thalis' (plates) and clapping their hands.
Haryanafarmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni appealed to the Prime Minister to listen tothe "Mann ki Baat" of farmers and voices of other people as well.Gurnam Singh is the Haryana state President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU)and is one of the prominent leaders leading the farmer agitation.
Opposingthe 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme by beating a 'thali' at the Makdoli tollplaza in the Rohtak district of Haryana, Chaduni while addressing Modi said,"We are not convinced by your 'Mann ki Baat' address. You speak your mindbut do not listen to other people's voices."
Thefarmer agitation entered its 32nd day on Sunday. Since November 26, theprotesting farmers have been camping at the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borderswith the adjoining national capital. The protesting farmers are marching on thestreets in protest against the three farm laws implemented by the centralgovernment, saying that these laws are not in the interest of the farmers,while the Centre has said opposition parties are misleading the farmers.
Severalrounds of negotiations have been held to resolve the ongoing deadlock betweenthe farmers and the central government but both sides have failed to reach afinal consensus over the issue. The next round of talks between the two sidesis set for December 29.
Onthe request of the government, a letter was sent on Saturday by the leaders of40 farmer organisations protesting under the banner of the 'Samyukta KisanMorcha' citing the date and time of the next round of talks, with four majordemands for the talks.
Thesedemands by the farmer leaders include: the procedures to be followed to repealthe three central farm laws; the procedure and provisions for legal guaranteefor procurement on profitable Minimum Support Price (MSP) as suggested by theNational Farmers Commission for all farmers and agricultural commodities;amendments to the Commission for Air Quality Management in National CapitalRegion and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020, which are necessary to excludefarmers from the penal provisions of the Ordinance; and necessary changes inthe draft of Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020, to protect the interests offarmers.
When asked farmer leader Darshanpal whether the next round of talks would beheld on these four core conditions, he said these are not the conditions butthe agenda of the talks which he has proposed only on the request of thecentral government.
Theagitating farmer organisations are seeking a repeal of the Farmers ProduceTrade and Commerce (Production and Facilitation) Act, 2020; Farmers(Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm ServicesAct, 2020; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020; implemented inSeptember by the central government.