Anti-Farm Bill Protest: Centre Ready To Hold Talks On Every Issue, Says Amit Shah

New Delhi: Amid intense protests against the newly passed farm bills, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday appealed to the farmers saying that the government is ready to hold talks on every issue around the recently introduced farm laws.

Shah said: "I appeal to the protesting farmers that the government of India is ready to hold talks. Agriculture Minister has invited farmers on December 3 to hold discussion. Government is ready to deliberate on every problem and demand of the farmers."

He added that at many places - state highways and national highways - farmers are staying with their tractors and trolley and braving extreme cold weather. "I appeal to all farmers that the Delhi Police is ready to shift you to a big ground, please go there. You will get police permission to hold your programme there," added Shah.

The Union Home Minister said health facilities, ambulances and drinking water have been made available along with adequate security arrangements at the Nirankari ground in Burari in Outer Delhi.

He insisted that if farmers hold protests peacefully and democratically, it won't cause problems to either the farmers or the public at large. Shah added that if the farmer unions want talks with the government before December 3, they have to shift to the grounds at Burari to hold their protest in a structured manner. "As soon as you shift to Burari, the very next next day the Central government is ready to have talks with you," added the Home Minister.

Shah's statement came as thousands of farmers continued to hold protests at the Tikri and Singhu interstate borders on Saturday.

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh Urges Farmers To Accept Amit Shah's Appeal

Later in the day, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday urged farmers to accept Union Home Minister Amit Shah's appeal and shift to the designated place for their protest, thus paving the way for early talks to resolve their issues.

Amid reports of Amit Shah's offer to hold discussions with farmers at the earliest, Amarinder Singh said it is in the best interest of the farming community and the nation at large.

Since the home minister has made it clear that the Centre is ready to deliberate on every problem and demand of the farmers and will hold talks the day after they shifted to the designated site in Delhi, the farmer leaders should also move forward, said the CM.

Only by sitting across the table can both sides come to a solution to the problem, he added.

Pointing out that the purpose of their protest was not to block highways and inconvenience people but to pressure the Union government to listen to their voice, said the CM.

The farmers have already won half the battle by bringing the Union government to the negotiating table without further delay. In the circumstances, they should grab the Union home minister's offer and make the most of the opportunity to resolve the crisis triggered by the Union laws, said Amarinder Singh.

He and his government are prepared to extend their full support to these negotiations and were willing to mediate in the collective interest of all, Amarinder Singh reiterated.

(With Agency Inputs)