Union leaders oppose the government’s double speech on dialogue amid Internet suspension and eviction attempts
The unions say they are open to resuming talks the three agricultural laws, but accuse the government of offering dialogue on the one hand and harassing farmers on the other by cutting off mobile internet, threatening eviction and ignoring local violence.
Also read: Government proposal to suspend agricultural laws: PM Modi
With new groups of farmers from UP, Haryana and Punjab pouring back into the border protest areas, several union leaders expect to be able to negotiate from a position of renewed strength.
The Union’s Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday the Suspension of the internet for two days in Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, the three main protest locations on Delhi’s borders, where tens of thousands of farmers have been camping for over two months. UP police and local authorities tried to evict protesters from the Ghazipur site while local residents, supported by BJP leaders, clashed with protesting farmers in Singhu on Friday.
“It is the government that has tried to derail the debate by inciting violence and communicating the issue,” said Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch Kavitha Kuruganti.
“The government says they want dialogue, but they are trying to weaken the farmers in so many ways by cutting off our communications, water and energy and turning the local people against us. We have to deal with this first, ”said Ms. Kurugunti, adding that the union leaders did not have meetings to restart talks because they were busy with these urgent matters.
“We never closed the door to talks. We came all the way to Delhi to speak to the government, ”she said.
Punjab leader Jagmohan Singh, who heads one of the largest factions in the Bharatiya Kisan Union, said the unions are keen to resume negotiations if the center is open to their demands.
“Our doors are open 24 hours. If the government’s proposals are positive, we are ready to speak. I guess the government will pull out, but no one has turned to us yet, ”he said. He added that, unlike in the past, there was no informal contact between BJP leaders or union ministers with the unions.
Krantikari Kisan Union President Darshan Pal, who played a key role in talks with the government and in liaising Punjab unions with the national movement, said the re-mobilization of protesters from several states would strengthen the unions’ position .
“In the last two days, new people have been pushed to the limit. It is a response to Tikait’s appeal and the oppression our people are subjected to. Now the government could feel the pressure, ”he said. “Within a day or two, if there are more people around, we will be in a better position and it will be more effective to resume talks. We will then consider sending a proposal, ”he added.
He also warned of grave consequences if the police stood by when locals attack protesters. “BJP and RSS incite local people who attack peaceful farmers. If the police do nothing, we must take steps to defend ourselves. Then farmers will be forced to answer in the same language, ”he said.
The unions celebrated a fasting day on Saturday, on which Mahatma Gandhi died. “The purpose was to restore goodwill, similar to the sadbhavana (goodwill) yatra we did after Republic Day,” said Darshan Pal.
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