From Parliament to Singhu border: How protests over farm laws unfolded

Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s meeting on Tuesday with the protesting farmers failed as the minister offered amendments to the three agriculture laws while the farmers didn’t budge from their demand for the repeal of the laws. The scheduled meeting of Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar with the farmers on Wednesday was also cancelled.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, are camping at borders around Delhi, seeking the withdrawal of the three farm laws enacted during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Here is what has happened till now:

Bills are passed, Opposition and allies protest

The three farm acts: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act were enacted in late September.

The three Bills were passed in the Parliament amid Opposition protests and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), one of BJP’s oldest allies, quitting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur resigned from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet while the three Bills were being discussed.

Farmers’ protest

Farmers called for ‘Rail Roko’ (Stop the trains) agitation in September in which protesters squatted on railway tracks in a bid to stop the trains as a mark of protest against the farm laws.

Farmers resume protests

Farmers, chiefly from Punjab and Haryana, resumed their protests with ‘Delhi Chalo’ march called for November 26 and 27. While they tried to cross the Haryana border, police tried to stop them and used water cannons and teargas. However, they were later allowed to proceed.

Protesters gathered at Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) and Tikri borders. Police used water cannons and teargas to disperse their protest.

Centre calls farmers for talks

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister had on November 26 called farmers for talks on December 3.

Centre prepones meeting with farmers

Two days ahead of the scheduled talks, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar called farmers’ leaders for a meeting on December 1. He said the talks were preponed due to “winter and COVID-19.”

These were the third round of talks after the one on October 14 and the second on November 13. 

More talks follow

The fourth round of talks of the Centre with farmers was held on December 3. Ahead of the meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Tomar and Food Minister Piyush Goyal met PM Modi.

Another round of talks was held on December 5, which again failed.

Meanwhile, the Opposition sharpened its criticism. SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal returned his Padma Vibhushan — the second-highest civilian, as a mark of solidarity with the protesting farmers.

Those from the entertainment, sports field too extended their support to the farmers.

Bharat Bandh

A 24-hour ‘Bharat Bandh’ (nationwide strike) was observed by farmers on Tuesday. At least 15 Opposition parties — both national and regional, supported the ‘bandh’. Several unions, including that of transporters and lawyers supported the bandh.

Amit Shah meets farmer leaders

Union Home Minister Amit Shah invited the farmer leaders for a meeting on Tuesday. However, the talks remained inconclusive.

The Centre has sent a proposal on Wednesday to the protesting farmers, who’ll hold a meeting to discuss the same.