As farmers' protest enters Day 9, here's what we know so far

The farmers’ protest against the Centre’s new farm reforms entered its ninth day on Friday with thousands of them staying put at Delhi borders amid the winter chills. Farmer leaders held a meeting with government representatives on Thursday, however, no breakthrough was achieved. Another round of talks will be held at 2 PM on Saturday with an aim to break the deadlock that has resulted in a nationwide uproar.

Here’s what we know so far:

Talks yet to yield resolution: Three ministers – Narendra Singh Tomar (Agriculture), Piyush Goyal (Railways) and Som Parkash (MoS Commerce) – held marathon talks with a group of around 40 farmer leaders on Thursday. However, no breakthrough was achieved during the eight-hour-long meeting and the farmers even refused the meal offered by the government saying they have brought their own langar. Tomar said the Centre will consider all issues on Friday and so will the union leaders, before meeting again on Saturday.

Punjab CM meets Shah: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah before the ministers-farmers meeting on Thursday, and appealed to them to find an early resolution to the impasse, He said the agitation was affecting Punjab’s economy and the nation’s security.

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Call for Parliament session: On Wednesday, farmers had demanded a special Parliament session be convened to repeal the farm laws. Their unions has also called for a nationwide protest on Saturday to oppose what they claimed was the “corporatisation” of farming.

AIKSCC firm on their stand: Pratibha Shinde of the AIKSCC (All India Kishan Sangharsh Coordination Committee) working group said its leaders have decided not to attend further meetings if solution was not given by Thursday. AIKSCC General Secretary Hannan Mollah said, “We do not want any amendment. We want the Acts to be repealed.” He said that all farmer outfits would meet on Friday at 11 am to take a collective call for the next round of talks with the government.

Agitation stepped up: The farmers have now stepped up their agitation and thousands of them from Uttar Pradesh on Thursday blocked NH-9 near UP Gate. Meanwhile, those from Punjab and Haryana stayed put at other border points leading to Delhi. The Delhi-Haryana border at Jharoda and Jhatikra remained closed for traffic while Badusarai border is open only for two-wheeler traffic.

Dissent in the air: Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of the Akali Dal, a former BJP ally, returned his Padma Vibhushan award in protest against the new farm laws. Dissident Akali leader and Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also said that he’ll return the Padma Bhushan conferred on him last year. Some former Punjab sportspersons too have threatened to return their awards.

Why are farmers protesting?

The protesting farmers believe the new farm laws will pave way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the “mercy” of big corporates. The MSP system acts as a safety net for the farmers that helps them from incurring losses due to market fluctuations.