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Indian farm protests get full-page NYT ad

<p>A new connotation to the abbreviation FDI has recently been devised in India -- from Foreign Direct Investment, it has become Foreign Destructive Ideology.</p>

<p>And this India has been receiving a lot -- of late. At least this was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion as he addressed the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of India's Parliament.</p>

<p>He took a direct aim at foreign forces attempting to influence India, and the 'foreign destructive ideology' being deployed to harm the country. He said that Indians must safeguard themselves from it.</p>

<p>The prime minister's remarks come in the backdrop of the farmer protests, just days after the 'Greta leaks'.</p>

<p>Climate activist Greta Thunberg recently shared a document on her Twitter profile, a tool-kit rather and a very detailed one.</p>

<p>It was for people across the world on how to contribute to undermine the farm laws passed by the Indian Parliament.</p>

<p>Some say the fact that the prime minister himself had to raise it should be a cause of worry. The statement also comes after reports -- that Pakistan is trying to hijack the farmer protests on the social media. Mostly on Twitter.</p>

<p>The Government of India has identified at least 1,178 Twitter accounts. These accounts are allegedly amplifying misinformation about the farmer protests.</p>

<p>The list comprises accounts belonging to Khalistani sympathisers operating on Pakistani soil. It also includes automated chatbots that are pushing their agenda.</p>

<p>The government says these accounts are a threat to public order, and has asked Twitter to block them.</p>

<p>Last we checked, Twitter was yet to to comply with the government order. &nbsp;A Twitter spokesperson has issued a statement saying, "If the content violates Twitter's rules, the content will be removed from the service. If it is determined to be illegal in a particular jurisdiction but not in violation of Twitter rules, we may withold access to the content in the location only."</p>

<p>And that's only a part of the Twitter story. Here's the second one -- this one is about the tweets that support India and the government's stand.</p>

<p>The government of the state of Maharashtra wants to investigate such tweets.</p>

<p>This state is led by a party called the Shiv Sena which also happens to be a former ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.</p>

<p>Now, the Shiv Sena government in Maharasthra wants to investigate if Indian celebrities were under pressure to tweet in favour of the Indian government on the farmers protests.</p>

<p>Anil Deshmukh, the home minister of Maharashtra, has said the state intelligence department would investigate the matter, highlighting how tweets issued by some celebrities were similar.</p>

<p>This may be the first such case of tweets favouring a policy being probed. The controversy is set to get bigger.</p>

<p>What can we say? Indian Twitter beats Alice's Wonderland.</p>


A new connotation to the abbreviation FDI has recently been devised in India -- from Foreign Direct Investment, it has become Foreign Destructive Ideology. And this India has been receiving a lot -- of late.

A new connotation to the abbreviation FDI has recently been devised in India -- from Foreign Direct Investment, it has become Foreign Destructive Ideology. And this India has been receiving a lot -- of late. At least this was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion as he addressed the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of India's Parliament. He took a direct aim at foreign forces attempting to influence India, and the 'foreign destructive ideology' being deployed to harm the country. He said that Indians must safeguard themselves from it. The prime minister's remarks come in the backdrop of the farmer protests, just days after the 'Greta leaks'. Climate activist Greta Thunberg recently shared a document on her Twitter profile, a tool-kit rather and a very detailed one. It was for people across the world on how to contribute to undermine the farm laws passed by the Indian Parliament. Some say the fact that the prime minister himself had to raise it should be a cause of worry. The statement also comes after reports -- that Pakistan is trying to hijack the farmer protests on the social media. Mostly on Twitter. The Government of India has identified at least 1,178 Twitter accounts. These accounts are allegedly amplifying misinformation about the farmer protests. The list comprises accounts belonging to Khalistani sympathisers operating on Pakistani soil. It also includes automated chatbots that are pushing their agenda. The government says these accounts are a threat to public order, and has asked Twitter to block them. Last we checked, Twitter was yet to to comply with the government order. A Twitter spokesperson has issued a statement saying, "If the content violates Twitter's rules, the content will be removed from the service. If it is determined to be illegal in a particular jurisdiction but not in violation of Twitter rules, we may withold access to the content in the location only." And that's only a part of the Twitter story. Here's the second one -- this one is about the tweets that support India and the government's stand. The government of the state of Maharashtra wants to investigate such tweets. This state is led by a party called the Shiv Sena which also happens to be a former ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Now, the Shiv Sena government in Maharasthra wants to investigate if Indian celebrities were under pressure to tweet in favour of the Indian government on the farmers protests. Anil Deshmukh, the home minister of Maharashtra, has said the state intelligence department would investigate the matter, highlighting how tweets issued by some celebrities were similar. This may be the first such case of tweets favouring a policy being probed. The controversy is set to get bigger. What can we say? Indian Twitter beats Alice's Wonderland.

Indian Twitter beats Alice's Wonderland. Here's how

<p>The Indian government has asked Twitter to remove 1,178 Pakistani-Khalistani accounts spreading misinformation in the backdrop of the farmers' protests. The list was shared on February 4, and Twitter is yet to comply with the order.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sources told WION: "Many of these accounts were also automated bots that were used for sharing and amplifying misinformation and provocative contents on farmers protests."</p>

<p>It is the second time in the last two weeks that the Indian government has pointed out the issues related to certain accounts. On January 31 also India's Electronics and IT ministry had sent a list of 257 accounts which the home ministry had listed for trying to trend genocide vis-a-vis the protests. While Twitter had acted on them by withholding them, but hours later it unblocked them. An irked IT ministry had sent another notice to the social media giant which is yet to be implemented.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian government is also concerned over Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey liking "several tweets made by foreign-based celebrities in support of farmer protests" which Indian government sources said, "raises questions about Twitter’s neutrality".</p>


The Indian government has asked Twitter to remove 1,178 Pakistani-Khalistani accounts spreading misinformation in the backdrop of the farmers' protests. The list was shared on February 4, and Twitter is yet to comply with the order.

The Indian government has asked Twitter to remove 1,178 Pakistani-Khalistani accounts spreading misinformation in the backdrop of the farmers' protests. The list was shared on February 4, and Twitter is yet to comply with the order. Sources told WION: "Many of these accounts were also automated bots that were used for sharing and amplifying misinformation and provocative contents on farmers protests." It is the second time in the last two weeks that the Indian government has pointed out the issues related to certain accounts. On January 31 also India's Electronics and IT ministry had sent a list of 257 accounts which the home ministry had listed for trying to trend genocide vis-a-vis the protests. While Twitter had acted on them by withholding them, but hours later it unblocked them. An irked IT ministry had sent another notice to the social media giant which is yet to be implemented. The Indian government is also concerned over Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey liking "several tweets made by foreign-based celebrities in support of farmer protests" which Indian government sources said, "raises questions about Twitter’s neutrality".

Farmers protests: Indian government asks Twitter to remove over 1,000 Pak-Khalistan accounts

<p>The Ministry of External Affairs has said no foreign government has supported the farmer's agitation in the backdrop of the passage of farm laws by the Indian parliament, though there were few "motivated protests" and a comment by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.</p>

<p>In response to a question in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha, minister of state in the MEA, V Muraleedharan said, "No foreign government has given support to the agitation of Indian farmers against three bills passed by Indian Parliament", pointing out, "In Canada, UK, USA, and in few European countries, protests by a few motivated PIO’s (Persons of Indian origin) on issues related to the Indian Farm Bill have been reported."</p>

<p>The only world leader to make a public comment on the issue was Canadian PM Justin Trudeau which was strongly slammed by India. The Canadian Ambassador to India Nadir Patel was summoned by MEA and a strong note of protest was handed over.&nbsp;</p>

<p>MEA MoS highlighted the Canadian PM's comments were taken up&nbsp;with the "Canadian authorities both in Ottawa and New Delhi and conveyed that such comments pertaining to the internal affairs of India are unwarranted, unacceptable" and "would damage India-Canada bilateral relations."</p>

<p>From India removing the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, CAA protests or farmers agitation, New Delhi has always sharply reacted to any reaction by foreign entities and reminded them that they have no locus to react on the country's internal matters.&nbsp;</p>


The Ministry of External Affairs has said no foreign government has supported the farmer's agitation in the backdrop of the passage of farm laws by the Indian parliament, though there were few "motivated protests" and a comment by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.

The Ministry of External Affairs has said no foreign government has supported the farmer's agitation in the backdrop of the passage of farm laws by the Indian parliament, though there were few "motivated protests" and a comment by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. In response to a question in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha, minister of state in the MEA, V Muraleedharan said, "No foreign government has given support to the agitation of Indian farmers against three bills passed by Indian Parliament", pointing out, "In Canada, UK, USA, and in few European countries, protests by a few motivated PIO’s (Persons of Indian origin) on issues related to the Indian Farm Bill have been reported." The only world leader to make a public comment on the issue was Canadian PM Justin Trudeau which was strongly slammed by India. The Canadian Ambassador to India Nadir Patel was summoned by MEA and a strong note of protest was handed over. MEA MoS highlighted the Canadian PM's comments were taken up with the "Canadian authorities both in Ottawa and New Delhi and conveyed that such comments pertaining to the internal affairs of India are unwarranted, unacceptable" and "would damage India-Canada bilateral relations." From India removing the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, CAA protests or farmers agitation, New Delhi has always sharply reacted to any reaction by foreign entities and reminded them that they have no locus to react on the country's internal matters.

No foreign government supported farmers agitation: India's Ministry of External Affairs

<p>India has sharply reacted to comments by western celebrities like Rihanna &amp; Climate activist Greta and others on farmers protests in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India's ministry of external affairs calling the comments the, "temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others" as "neither accurate nor responsible.''</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-rihanna-greta-thunberg-tweets-about-farmers-protest-in-india-361006" hreflang="en">After Rihanna, Greta Thunberg tweets about farmers protest in India</a></strong></p>

<p>Without taking names, the statement said, "before rushing to comment on such matters, we would urge that the facts be ascertained, and a proper understanding of the issues at hand be undertaken."</p>

<p>Rihanna, who has 101 million followers tweeted a media link saying, "why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest". Greta, tweeted the same link, saying, "We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India.".</p>

<p>Not just Rihanna and&nbsp;Greta, Jim Costa of US, a member of the US congress's Foreign Affairs Committee tweeted, "I am closely monitoring the situation. The right to peaceful protest must always be respected. #FarmersProtest". Meena Harris, the niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris too tweeted, saying, " We ALL should be outraged by India’s internet shutdowns and paramilitary violence against farmer protesters."</p>

<p>The MEA statement pointed out that the "reformist"&nbsp;farm laws have been passed "after a full debate and discussion" and "these reforms give expanded market access and provided greater flexibility to farmers".&nbsp;</p>

<p>It recalled talks between the govt and farmers over the "reservations&nbsp;about these reforms" and the fact that "Government has even offered to keep the laws on hold, an offer iterated by no less than the Prime Minister of India".</p>

<p>The developments of&nbsp;January 26, when protestors "violence and vandalism" took place in Delhi and&nbsp;Mahatma Gandhi statues being "desecrated in parts of the world" were also highlighted in the statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement also mentioned how the&nbsp;Indian police forces have "handled these protests with utmost restraint" even as "hundreds of men and women serving in the police have been physically attacked" and in "some cases stabbed and seriously wounded."</p>


India has sharply reacted to comments by western celebrities like Rihanna & Climate activist Greta and others on farmers protests in India. India's ministry of external affairs calling the comments the, "temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others" as "neither accurate nor responsible.

India has sharply reacted to comments by western celebrities like Rihanna & Climate activist Greta and others on farmers protests in India. India's ministry of external affairs calling the comments the, "temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others" as "neither accurate nor responsible.'' Also read: After Rihanna, Greta Thunberg tweets about farmers protest in India Without taking names, the statement said, "before rushing to comment on such matters, we would urge that the facts be ascertained, and a proper understanding of the issues at hand be undertaken." Rihanna, who has 101 million followers tweeted a media link saying, "why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest". Greta, tweeted the same link, saying, "We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India.". Not just Rihanna and Greta, Jim Costa of US, a member of the US congress's Foreign Affairs Committee tweeted, "I am closely monitoring the situation. The right to peaceful protest must always be respected. #FarmersProtest". Meena Harris, the niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris too tweeted, saying, " We ALL should be outraged by India’s internet shutdowns and paramilitary violence against farmer protesters." The MEA statement pointed out that the "reformist" farm laws have been passed "after a full debate and discussion" and "these reforms give expanded market access and provided greater flexibility to farmers". It recalled talks between the govt and farmers over the "reservations about these reforms" and the fact that "Government has even offered to keep the laws on hold, an offer iterated by no less than the Prime Minister of India". The developments of January 26, when protestors "violence and vandalism" took place in Delhi and Mahatma Gandhi statues being "desecrated in parts of the world" were also highlighted in the statement. The statement also mentioned how the Indian police forces have "handled these protests with utmost restraint" even as "hundreds of men and women serving in the police have been physically attacked" and in "some cases stabbed and seriously wounded."

India slams comments by Rihanna, Greta and others on farmers protests

<p>Yielding some ground to end the nearly two-month-long protest by thousands of farmers on the national capital borders, the government on Wednesday proposed to suspend the three contentious farm laws for 1-1.5 years and set up a joint committee to find an amicable solution in the interest of the farming community.</p>

<p>During their tenth round of negotiations with three central ministers, the two sides decided to meet again on Friday after the union leaders hold their own internal consultations on Thursday to decide on the government's new proposal.</p>

<p>Briefing media after a nearly five-hour-long meeting that included two breaks, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the government has proposed to suspend implementation of the three laws for 1-1.5 years, during which period a joint committee of representatives from the government and farmers' sides can continue their talks and those protesting on Delhi borders in extremely cold weather return to their homes.</p>

<p>The three laws have already been stayed by the Supreme Court till further orders and a committee of experts has been formed to resolve the deadlock. The panel has been asked by the apex court to submit its report within two months after consulting all stakeholders.</p>

<p>The committee held its first meeting on Tuesday and will begin its consultations with farmer groups and others from Thursday.</p>

<p>After the meeting, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said, "The government proposed to suspend the farm laws for one and a half years. We rejected the proposal but since it has come from the government, we will meet tomorrow and deliberate over it."</p>

<p>Another farmer leader Kavitha Kuruganti said the government also proposed to submit an affidavit in the Supreme Court for suspending the three farm laws for a mutually-agreed period and set up a committee.<br />
Kulwant Singh Sandhu of Jamuri Kisan Sabha said, "The government ?is on backfoot and it has started yielding ground to us."</p>

<p>Earlier during the meeting, the government also again offered to amend the three laws but farmer leaders stuck to their demand for a complete repeal and alleged that the Centre was avoiding discussion on a legal guarantee for MSP.</p>

<p>Farmer leaders said there was no breakthrough in the first two sessions as both sides were stuck on their stated positions vis-a-vis the three farm laws and it was clear from the very beginning that there was little hope of any outcome other than fixing the date for the 11th round.</p>

<p>Tomar, however, said the government was keen to reach a final decision in today's meeting on the auspicious day of Gurupurab and therefore it started with greetings for the occasion.</p>

<p>"The government was ready to discuss provisions of the laws with an open mind and a big heart," he said.<br />
The minister said the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere despite some 'naram-garam' moments (softening and hardening of the stand) and farmers remained adamant on their demand for the repeal of the laws. He, however, asserted that some headway was made towards reaching a solution in the next meeting to end the agitation.</p>

<p>"It will be victory for Indian democracy the day farmers' agitation ends and they return to their homes," he said in reply to a question whether it would be a victory for the farmers or the government.</p>

<p>Asked whether the January 22 meeting at 12 pm could be the last one, Tomar said he is hopeful of reaching an amicable solution in the next round of talks.</p>

<p>The minister said the new proposal has been made to allay farmers' apprehensions and instill confidence that the government is ready for discussion with an open heart.</p>

<p>"The Supreme Court has stayed the agri-reform laws for a short duration. Their implementation will not happen for some time. But, we have been telling the unions that it will require more time to consider the laws and to discuss other aspects related to the agitation. The required time maybe six months, one year or one and half years," he said.</p>

<p>"Therefore, we told the unions that the government is ready to put on hold the implementation of the laws for 1-1.5 years. I am happy that the farmer unions took this proposal seriously on the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh," he said.</p>

<p>Asked whether the proposed committee will continue alongside the SC-appointed expert panel, Tomar said, "The government is committed to the Supreme Court and will remain so. The committee appointed by the apex court is doing its job, but the government also has direct accountability towards farmers and the situation arising out of the protest. Therefore, we are taking forward this discussion while discharging our responsibility."</p>

<p>The modalities of the proposed panel, including the number of members, can be finalised after the two sides reach an in-principle agreement on this proposal, the minister said.</p>

<p>At the meeting, farmer leaders also raised the issue of NIA notices being served to some farmers, alleging it was being done just to harass those supporting the agitation, to which the government representatives said they will look into the matter.</p>

<p>The meeting began at around 2.45 pm with the three ministers greeting farmer leaders on the occasion of Gurupurab and the two sides took a lunch break after around one hour of discussions when farmer leaders had langar food.</p>

<p>The meeting resumed at around 5.15 pm after the lunch break, but the two sides took another break at around 6 pm during which the farmer leaders discussed the government proposal for suspending the laws for a fixed period of time.</p>

<p>Kuruganti said the meeting began with the NIA issue, followed by unions' demand for a repeal of the laws.<br />
The farmer leaders presented multiple Parliament replies given by the agriculture minister where he had stated that agriculture is a state subject, while one reply mentioned even agri-marketing as a state subject.</p>

<p>"The government offered to carry out some amendments, but farmer leaders maintained they do not want anything less than a complete repeal of the laws," union leader Rakesh Tikait said.</p>

<p>Tomar was accompanied by Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, who is an MP from Punjab, at the talks with 41 representatives of farmer unions at Vigyan Bhawan here.</p>

<p>Before the meeting, the three ministers also met senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.</p>

<p>The tenth round of talks was initially scheduled on January 19, but later got postponed to Wednesday.</p>

<p>In the last round of talks, the government had asked protesting farmers to prepare a concrete proposal about their objections and suggestions on the three farm laws for further discussion at their next meeting to end the long-running protest. But, unions stuck to their main demand of a complete repeal of the three Acts.</p>

<p>Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, are protesting at various border points of Delhi for over a month now against the three laws. Farmer groups have alleged these laws will end the mandi and MSP procurement systems and leave the farmers at the mercy of big corporates, even as the government has rejected these apprehensions as misplaced.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, a group of farm union leaders met top officials of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh police to discuss the route and arrangements for their tractor rally on January 26 to protest against the three farm laws.</p>

<p>But the unions rejected a suggestion by police officers to hold their rally on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway instead of Delhi's Outer Ring Road, sources said.&nbsp;</p>


Yielding some ground to end the nearly two-month-long protest by thousands of farmers on the national capital borders, the government on Wednesday proposed to suspend the three contentious farm laws for 1-1.

Yielding some ground to end the nearly two-month-long protest by thousands of farmers on the national capital borders, the government on Wednesday proposed to suspend the three contentious farm laws for 1-1.5 years and set up a joint committee to find an amicable solution in the interest of the farming community. During their tenth round of negotiations with three central ministers, the two sides decided to meet again on Friday after the union leaders hold their own internal consultations on Thursday to decide on the government's new proposal. Briefing media after a nearly five-hour-long meeting that included two breaks, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the government has proposed to suspend implementation of the three laws for 1-1.5 years, during which period a joint committee of representatives from the government and farmers' sides can continue their talks and those protesting on Delhi borders in extremely cold weather return to their homes. The three laws have already been stayed by the Supreme Court till further orders and a committee of experts has been formed to resolve the deadlock. The panel has been asked by the apex court to submit its report within two months after consulting all stakeholders. The committee held its first meeting on Tuesday and will begin its consultations with farmer groups and others from Thursday. After the meeting, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said, "The government proposed to suspend the farm laws for one and a half years. We rejected the proposal but since it has come from the government, we will meet tomorrow and deliberate over it." Another farmer leader Kavitha Kuruganti said the government also proposed to submit an affidavit in the Supreme Court for suspending the three farm laws for a mutually-agreed period and set up a committee. Kulwant Singh Sandhu of Jamuri Kisan Sabha said, "The government ?is on backfoot and it has started yielding ground to us." Earlier during the meeting, the government also again offered to amend the three laws but farmer leaders stuck to their demand for a complete repeal and alleged that the Centre was avoiding discussion on a legal guarantee for MSP. Farmer leaders said there was no breakthrough in the first two sessions as both sides were stuck on their stated positions vis-a-vis the three farm laws and it was clear from the very beginning that there was little hope of any outcome other than fixing the date for the 11th round. Tomar, however, said the government was keen to reach a final decision in today's meeting on the auspicious day of Gurupurab and therefore it started with greetings for the occasion. "The government was ready to discuss provisions of the laws with an open mind and a big heart," he said. The minister said the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere despite some 'naram-garam' moments (softening and hardening of the stand) and farmers remained adamant on their demand for the repeal of the laws. He, however, asserted that some headway was made towards reaching a solution in the next meeting to end the agitation. "It will be victory for Indian democracy the day farmers' agitation ends and they return to their homes," he said in reply to a question whether it would be a victory for the farmers or the government. Asked whether the January 22 meeting at 12 pm could be the last one, Tomar said he is hopeful of reaching an amicable solution in the next round of talks. The minister said the new proposal has been made to allay farmers' apprehensions and instill confidence that the government is ready for discussion with an open heart. "The Supreme Court has stayed the agri-reform laws for a short duration. Their implementation will not happen for some time. But, we have been telling the unions that it will require more time to consider the laws and to discuss other aspects related to the agitation. The required time maybe six months, one year or one and half years," he said. "Therefore, we told the unions that the government is ready to put on hold the implementation of the laws for 1-1.5 years. I am happy that the farmer unions took this proposal seriously on the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh," he said. Asked whether the proposed committee will continue alongside the SC-appointed expert panel, Tomar said, "The government is committed to the Supreme Court and will remain so. The committee appointed by the apex court is doing its job, but the government also has direct accountability towards farmers and the situation arising out of the protest. Therefore, we are taking forward this discussion while discharging our responsibility." The modalities of the proposed panel, including the number of members, can be finalised after the two sides reach an in-principle agreement on this proposal, the minister said. At the meeting, farmer leaders also raised the issue of NIA notices being served to some farmers, alleging it was being done just to harass those supporting the agitation, to which the government representatives said they will look into the matter. The meeting began at around 2.45 pm with the three ministers greeting farmer leaders on the occasion of Gurupurab and the two sides took a lunch break after around one hour of discussions when farmer leaders had langar food. The meeting resumed at around 5.15 pm after the lunch break, but the two sides took another break at around 6 pm during which the farmer leaders discussed the government proposal for suspending the laws for a fixed period of time. Kuruganti said the meeting began with the NIA issue, followed by unions' demand for a repeal of the laws. The farmer leaders presented multiple Parliament replies given by the agriculture minister where he had stated that agriculture is a state subject, while one reply mentioned even agri-marketing as a state subject. "The government offered to carry out some amendments, but farmer leaders maintained they do not want anything less than a complete repeal of the laws," union leader Rakesh Tikait said. Tomar was accompanied by Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, who is an MP from Punjab, at the talks with 41 representatives of farmer unions at Vigyan Bhawan here. Before the meeting, the three ministers also met senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The tenth round of talks was initially scheduled on January 19, but later got postponed to Wednesday. In the last round of talks, the government had asked protesting farmers to prepare a concrete proposal about their objections and suggestions on the three farm laws for further discussion at their next meeting to end the long-running protest. But, unions stuck to their main demand of a complete repeal of the three Acts. Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, are protesting at various border points of Delhi for over a month now against the three laws. Farmer groups have alleged these laws will end the mandi and MSP procurement systems and leave the farmers at the mercy of big corporates, even as the government has rejected these apprehensions as misplaced. Earlier in the day, a group of farm union leaders met top officials of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh police to discuss the route and arrangements for their tractor rally on January 26 to protest against the three farm laws. But the unions rejected a suggestion by police officers to hold their rally on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway instead of Delhi's Outer Ring Road, sources said.

Indian govt offers to put on hold three farm laws for 1-1.5 years to end protest

<p>The United Kingdom has made its stance clear on the ongoing farmers protests in India, saying it's the&nbsp;Indian government's matter.</p>

<p>In response to a WION question,&nbsp;spokesperson of UK's&nbsp;Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office&nbsp;said,&nbsp;“The police handling of protests are a matter for the Government of India.”</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, the matter was raised in the British Parliament. In response to a question raised by&nbsp;Labour Party MP&nbsp;Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, British Prime minister Boris Johnson didn't give any direct&nbsp;response.</p>

<p>Boris said, "Of course, Mr Speaker, and our views as the honourable gentleman knows well of course we have serious concerns about what is happening between India and Pakistan but these are pre-eminently matters for those two governments to settle and I know that he appreciates that point".</p>

<p>Last week Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his concern on the farmers protests in India leading to a sharp reaction from India. The Ministry of External Affairs called the comments "unwarranted", and summoned the Canadian envoy to India Nadir Patel, handing over a strong demarche.</p>


The United Kingdom has made its stance clear on the ongoing farmers protests in India, saying it's the Indian government's matter. In response to a WION question, spokesperson of UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said, “The police handling of protests are a matter for the Government of India.

The United Kingdom has made its stance clear on the ongoing farmers protests in India, saying it's the Indian government's matter. In response to a WION question, spokesperson of UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said, “The police handling of protests are a matter for the Government of India.” Earlier in the day, the matter was raised in the British Parliament. In response to a question raised by Labour Party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, British Prime minister Boris Johnson didn't give any direct response. Boris said, "Of course, Mr Speaker, and our views as the honourable gentleman knows well of course we have serious concerns about what is happening between India and Pakistan but these are pre-eminently matters for those two governments to settle and I know that he appreciates that point". Last week Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his concern on the farmers protests in India leading to a sharp reaction from India. The Ministry of External Affairs called the comments "unwarranted", and summoned the Canadian envoy to India Nadir Patel, handing over a strong demarche.

It is a government of India matter: UK on farmer protest

<p>Farmers in India are currently protesting against agricultural reforms. A few politicians outside India have appointed themselves the spokespersons of the Indian farmers.</p>

<p>At the forefront of this is Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, who has presented himself as the guardian of liberal values around the world.&nbsp;Recently, Trudeau lectured India on peaceful protests. To this, India responded firmly by summoning the Canadian High Commissioner - a demarche was issued.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian External Affairs Minister withdrew from an event hosted by Canada in protest. How did Trudeau respond to India's anger? The Canadian PM shrugged and put forth a lesson on fundamental rights. Justin Trudeau says that Canada will stand for the right to peaceful protest, which is commendable. But does he extend the same courtesy to Canadian citizens?&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Has Justin Trudeau - upheld the right to protest for his own citizens?</strong></p>

<p>In February 2020, Canada saw its own share of protests, and blockades. As part of this, rail crossings were closed, passenger and freight trains were disrupted in addition to layoffs. Many even feared there would be a fuel shortage.</p>

<h5><strong>Who was protesting and why?&nbsp;</strong></h5>

<p>The indigenous community was protesting against a gas pipeline that would run through their territory. The community leaders claimed that they never approved of the project. But soon after, a police crackdown followed.</p>

<p>A series of arrests was made in northern British Columbia. One of the community leaders said the police brought: "a whole damn army there".&nbsp; They also conducted a raid, which only made the situation worse. What started as a local issue, turned into a nationwide campaign for a national shutdown.</p>

<p>Did Trudeau hail the peaceful protestors of his country and speak up for their rights? Justin Trudeau said that blockades are "unacceptable and untenable".</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/un-chief-comments-on-farmers-protest-in-india-347867" hreflang="en">UN chief comments on farmers protest in India</a></p>

<p>When Canadians protest, Trudeau wants them to respect the rule of law. When Indian farmers protest and blockade, Trudeau turns it into an issue of human rights. In a video statement, Trudeau said that Canada wants to "defend the rights of peaceful protests". Blockades are as unacceptable in India as in Canada, especially in the middle of a pandemic.</p>

<p>The Canadian prime minister is not alone in practising this hypocrisy. Opposition leader Erin o’Toole said his party is watching the situation in India. Leader of the New Democrats Jagmeet Singh accused the Indian government of "perpetrating violence". His party launched an online petition calling on Trudeau to speak out.</p>

<p><strong>United Kingdom</strong></p>

<p>People with separatist connections laid siege on the Indian High Commission in London over the weekend.</p>

<p>Pro-Khalistan groups were on the streets, protesting with Khalistan flags. The Khalistan movement is a secessionist movement, and members of this group assassinated an Indian prime minister.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/british-mps-support-indian-farmers-agitation-write-to-lawmaker-dominic-raab-347675" hreflang="en">British MPs support Indian farmers' agitation, write to lawmaker Dominic Raab</a></p>

<p>Those protesting in India are Indian farmers. Those hijacking their cause sitting in Canada and the UK are not.</p>

<p>36 British MPs have now written to the British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab - asking him to raise the issue with India. Protests were also seen in the United States, New Zealand and Australia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indian farmers have grievances, which they are addressing through the right to protest. The government is talking to them, and multiple rounds of talks have happened. The efforts to internationalise India's farmer protest are being led by vested interests.</p>


Farmers in India are currently protesting against agricultural reforms. A few politicians outside India have appointed themselves the spokespersons of the Indian farmers.

Farmers in India are currently protesting against agricultural reforms. A few politicians outside India have appointed themselves the spokespersons of the Indian farmers. At the forefront of this is Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, who has presented himself as the guardian of liberal values around the world. Recently, Trudeau lectured India on peaceful protests. To this, India responded firmly by summoning the Canadian High Commissioner - a demarche was issued. The Indian External Affairs Minister withdrew from an event hosted by Canada in protest. How did Trudeau respond to India's anger? The Canadian PM shrugged and put forth a lesson on fundamental rights. Justin Trudeau says that Canada will stand for the right to peaceful protest, which is commendable. But does he extend the same courtesy to Canadian citizens? × Has Justin Trudeau - upheld the right to protest for his own citizens? In February 2020, Canada saw its own share of protests, and blockades. As part of this, rail crossings were closed, passenger and freight trains were disrupted in addition to layoffs. Many even feared there would be a fuel shortage. Who was protesting and why? The indigenous community was protesting against a gas pipeline that would run through their territory. The community leaders claimed that they never approved of the project. But soon after, a police crackdown followed. A series of arrests was made in northern British Columbia. One of the community leaders said the police brought: "a whole damn army there". They also conducted a raid, which only made the situation worse. What started as a local issue, turned into a nationwide campaign for a national shutdown. Did Trudeau hail the peaceful protestors of his country and speak up for their rights? Justin Trudeau said that blockades are "unacceptable and untenable". Also read: UN chief comments on farmers protest in India When Canadians protest, Trudeau wants them to respect the rule of law. When Indian farmers protest and blockade, Trudeau turns it into an issue of human rights. In a video statement, Trudeau said that Canada wants to "defend the rights of peaceful protests". Blockades are as unacceptable in India as in Canada, especially in the middle of a pandemic. The Canadian prime minister is not alone in practising this hypocrisy. Opposition leader Erin o’Toole said his party is watching the situation in India. Leader of the New Democrats Jagmeet Singh accused the Indian government of "perpetrating violence". His party launched an online petition calling on Trudeau to speak out. United Kingdom People with separatist connections laid siege on the Indian High Commission in London over the weekend. Pro-Khalistan groups were on the streets, protesting with Khalistan flags. The Khalistan movement is a secessionist movement, and members of this group assassinated an Indian prime minister. Also read: British MPs support Indian farmers' agitation, write to lawmaker Dominic Raab Those protesting in India are Indian farmers. Those hijacking their cause sitting in Canada and the UK are not. 36 British MPs have now written to the British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab - asking him to raise the issue with India. Protests were also seen in the United States, New Zealand and Australia. Indian farmers have grievances, which they are addressing through the right to protest. The government is talking to them, and multiple rounds of talks have happened. The efforts to internationalise India's farmer protest are being led by vested interests.

Why international politics over Indian farmers is a dangerous trend

Police use water cannon, tear gas as farmers' protests intensify near Delhi border

<p>Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who was on his way to violence-hit Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, was briefly arrested by the police from Madhya Pradesh&#39;s Neemuch and subsequently released.</p>

<p>The Congress president sought a comprehensive inquiry into the killing of five farmers here in police firing and demanded &quot;martyr&quot; status for them.</p>

<p>He said the party would aggressively raise the issues concerning farmers in parliament and seek loan waiver for them.</p>

<p>He was on his way to meet the families of those who were killed in police firing in Mandsaur on Tuesday.</p>

<p>According to ANI, he&nbsp;spoke with the family members of the farmers who were killed on phone.</p>

<p>In an attempt to evade the heavy police presence to stop his entry into the violence-hit district, he rode pillion on a motorcycle. The incident is reminiscent of the 2011 Bhatta Parsaul agitation in Uttar Pradesh when Rahul Gandhi sneaked into the village riding pillion on the motorcycle of a local municipality member.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Congress VP Rahul Gandhi travels by road on a motorcycle to Madhya Pradesh&rsquo;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mandsaur?src=hash">#Mandsaur</a> <a href="https://t.co/CWoUq0zpWS">pic.twitter.com/CWoUq0zpWS</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/872706932938756097">June 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Madhya Pradesh home minister, Bhupendra Singh, accused Rahul Gandhi of indulging in politics.</p>

<p>&quot;He (Rahul Gandhi) has been detained. What was the emergency to go there now? He only wants to do politics,&quot;&nbsp;the home minister tweeted earlier.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi said that the BJP-led Rajasthan and the Madhya Pradesh governments are preventing him from entering Madhya Pradesh and meeting the families of the farmers killed.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Raj &amp; MP Govts are doing their best to prevent me from entering MP &amp; meeting the families of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/farmers?src=hash">#farmers</a> killed in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mandsaur?src=hash">#Mandsaur</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/872716059383484416">June 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What law of the land says that it is illegal to stand in solidarity with farmers who were killed simply for demanding what is their right?</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/872718003380420608">June 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He was accompanied by senior Congress leaders including Kamal Nath, who is&nbsp;touted to become the next chief of the state Congress. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, he arrived at the Udaipur airport in Rajasthan from where he embarked on a road journey to visit the violence-hit district of Mandsaur to meet families of those killed in Tuesday&#39;s violence.</p>

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<p>Ahead of his visit to Mandsaur, violence again flared up as a toll plaza was vandalised and Rs 8-10 lakh were looted.</p>

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<p>Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh home minister Bhupendra Singh said that the five farmers, who were killed on Tuesday, died because of police firing.</p>

<p>Farmers in Mandsaur are on a protest demanding better prices for their produce and a farm loan waiver.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, five farmers were shot by police after which the protests intensified.</p>

<p>Protesters set on fire vehicles on Wednesday even as the authorities had clamped a round-the-clock curfew.</p>

<p>Protests were also reported from Ujjain, Neemuch and Dewas.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/protests-intensify-in-madhya-pradeshs-mandsaur-district-centre-deploys-five-additional-battalions-16517">Protests intensify in Madhya Pradesh&#39;s Mandsaur district, Centre deploys five additional battalions</a></p>

<p>The Indian government has decided to deploy five more battalions of the paramilitary force in Madhya Pradesh&#39;s Mandsaur district, ANI reported. The Centre had already sent six battalions to the area.</p>

<p>Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress of provoking violence in the state.</p>

<p>Speaking to ANI, BJP leader GVL Narsimha Rao said, &quot;This government had taken a series of decision towards the farmers and their demands. The Congress still cannot stand the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the state. The Congress is using this agitation of the farmers for themselves to provoke violence from within and giving their party a violent colour.&quot;</p>

<p>BJP leader and former minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that Congress needs to be blamed as they are grabbing focus in this violence.</p>

<p>&quot;Madhya Pradesh is a very peaceful place and will continue to be so. The BJP has always done well for the farmers and have also paid heed to all their demands. We are trying our best to curb the violence and also will resort to all their demands. The whole reason behind this situation is &#39;Congress&#39; who needs to be blamed as they are grabbing focus in this violence. The people in that village are smarter than Rahul and would also know his plan behind his visit,&quot; Vijayvargiya told ANI.</p>

<p>The chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh for those who have been injured.</p>

<p>The chief minister also urged the farmers to maintain calm.</p>

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<p>The strike that began on June 01 in the big western state of Maharashtra, with farmers dumping produce and milk on the streets to demand billions of dollars in debt forgiveness and better prices for their produce, soon spread to Madhya Pradesh (Reuters)</p>
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<p>(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>


Farmers in Mandsaur are on a protest demanding better prices for their produce and a loan waiver

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who was on his way to violence-hit Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, was briefly arrested by the police from Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch and subsequently released. The Congress president sought a comprehensive inquiry into the killing of five farmers here in police firing and demanded "martyr" status for them. He said the party would aggressively raise the issues concerning farmers in parliament and seek loan waiver for them. He was on his way to meet the families of those who were killed in police firing in Mandsaur on Tuesday. According to ANI, he spoke with the family members of the farmers who were killed on phone. In an attempt to evade the heavy police presence to stop his entry into the violence-hit district, he rode pillion on a motorcycle. The incident is reminiscent of the 2011 Bhatta Parsaul agitation in Uttar Pradesh when Rahul Gandhi sneaked into the village riding pillion on the motorcycle of a local municipality member. #WATCH Congress VP Rahul Gandhi travels by road on a motorcycle to Madhya Pradesh’s #Mandsaur pic.twitter.com/CWoUq0zpWS — ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 × Madhya Pradesh home minister, Bhupendra Singh, accused Rahul Gandhi of indulging in politics. "He (Rahul Gandhi) has been detained. What was the emergency to go there now? He only wants to do politics," the home minister tweeted earlier. Rahul Gandhi said that the BJP-led Rajasthan and the Madhya Pradesh governments are preventing him from entering Madhya Pradesh and meeting the families of the farmers killed. Raj & MP Govts are doing their best to prevent me from entering MP & meeting the families of the #farmers killed in #Mandsaur — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 8, 2017 × What law of the land says that it is illegal to stand in solidarity with farmers who were killed simply for demanding what is their right? — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 8, 2017 × He was accompanied by senior Congress leaders including Kamal Nath, who is touted to become the next chief of the state Congress. Earlier, he arrived at the Udaipur airport in Rajasthan from where he embarked on a road journey to visit the violence-hit district of Mandsaur to meet families of those killed in Tuesday's violence. × × Ahead of his visit to Mandsaur, violence again flared up as a toll plaza was vandalised and Rs 8-10 lakh were looted. × Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh home minister Bhupendra Singh said that the five farmers, who were killed on Tuesday, died because of police firing. Farmers in Mandsaur are on a protest demanding better prices for their produce and a farm loan waiver. On Tuesday, five farmers were shot by police after which the protests intensified. Protesters set on fire vehicles on Wednesday even as the authorities had clamped a round-the-clock curfew. Protests were also reported from Ujjain, Neemuch and Dewas. Also Read: Protests intensify in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district, Centre deploys five additional battalions The Indian government has decided to deploy five more battalions of the paramilitary force in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district, ANI reported. The Centre had already sent six battalions to the area. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress of provoking violence in the state. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader GVL Narsimha Rao said, "This government had taken a series of decision towards the farmers and their demands. The Congress still cannot stand the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the state. The Congress is using this agitation of the farmers for themselves to provoke violence from within and giving their party a violent colour." BJP leader and former minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that Congress needs to be blamed as they are grabbing focus in this violence. "Madhya Pradesh is a very peaceful place and will continue to be so. The BJP has always done well for the farmers and have also paid heed to all their demands. We are trying our best to curb the violence and also will resort to all their demands. The whole reason behind this situation is 'Congress' who needs to be blamed as they are grabbing focus in this violence. The people in that village are smarter than Rahul and would also know his plan behind his visit," Vijayvargiya told ANI. The chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh for those who have been injured. The chief minister also urged the farmers to maintain calm. The strike that began on June 01 in the big western state of Maharashtra, with farmers dumping produce and milk on the streets to demand billions of dollars in debt forgiveness and better prices for their produce, soon spread to Madhya Pradesh (Reuters) × (WION with inputs from agencies)

Rahul Gandhi briefly arrested en route to Mandsaur

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