Farmers' Protest: Minister Lashes Out At Tomar¡¯s ¡®50% Demands Met Claim¡¯, ¡®Corrects¡¯ The Figure To Zero

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, during a visit to Bathinda on Thursday, lashed out at Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar¡¯s statement that 50 per cent of the farmers¡¯ demands had been met.

Reuters

"Zero per cent demands met"

As per Indian Express report, he said, ¡°I was surprised to hear his (Tomar¡¯s) statement. The proposed Electricity Amendments, 2020, it is not even a Bill as of now. The environment ordinance is again not even a Bill as of now. The main demand is repeal and hence against the Union minister¡¯s claim of agreeing to 50 per cent demands, I must say that it is still zero per cent as we want repeal of laws for which farmers started this agitation.¡±

Sukhbir had visited Takht Damdama Sahib (one of the five Sikh shrines) in Talwandi Sabo in Punjab's Bathinda to get Akhand Path (sikh chant) started for farmers so that their demands are met soon and they return happily to their home state. The party will be organising Akhand Path in all the districts where farmers died during the ongoing protest.

AP

While most farmer union leaders have said that something positive came out of their last meeting with the Centre, they are now looking for repeal of farm laws as their main demand for the January 4 meeting. On Wednesday, a small breakthrough was achieved during talks with the government as Centre agreed to accept two demands of farmers while continuing to disagree on the complete repeal of farm laws.

The SAD chief said, ¡°This is an emotional struggle now which is above politics, and each and every farmer is a part of it. Almost each and every worker of SAD, our 65 constituency in-charges, are at protest dharnas as they are also farmers."

BCCL

"Pride of Kisani against an arrogant ruler"

He added, ¡°It is a struggle for the pride of Kisani against an arrogant ruler. A PM is just like a head of the family and if any family members are upset, he must listen to them rather than adopting a confrontational attitude. As of now the Centre wants to do dictatorship, they want to grab powers of the states, due to which they made these black laws. Now even the Bar Association of SC has said these laws are illegal as this was the right of the states (to talk about agriculture) and the Centre wanted to grab the powers of state.¡±

ANI

¡°This issue of snatching powers of states is very serious and we appeal to all political parties to come under one platform so as to press upon this issue. SAD is already in touch with CMs of many states on this issue,¡± he said, according to Indian Express report.

Remember, it is Day 37 of farmers' protest as they continue to camp at Delhi¡¯s borders in the harsh winter season, waiting for their demands to be met.