New Delhi: The farmers’ protest against the new farm laws entered its eighth day on Tuesday, with no breakthrough in sight after four rounds of talks with the central government. The farmers, who are camping at various borders of Delhi, have rejected the government’s proposal to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) on four crops and demanded MSP on all crops.
The farmers have also announced that they will march to Delhi on Wednesday, February 21, as per their earlier plan, despite the government’s request to postpone it. They have urged the government to either address their issues or remove the barricades and allow them to protest peacefully in the national capital.
Meanwhile, a Mahapanchayat of Khaps, or village councils, is being held in the Jind district of Haryana today in support of the farmers’ demands. The Mahapanchayat is expected to take a major decision on the future course of action of the agitation.
The farmers’ protest has been led by several unions, including the All India Kisan Sabha, the Bharatiya Kisan Union, and the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee. They have been demanding the repeal of the three farm laws passed by the Parliament in September last year, which they claim will benefit the corporates and harm the farmers. The government, on the other hand, has maintained that the laws are pro-farmer and will increase their income and freedom.
