In a fresh development regarding the ongoing farmers' protest, the Government of India has extended an invitation to farmer leaders for the fifth round of discussions, focusing on key issues such as Minimum Support Price (MSP). This announcement was made by Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, who expressed the government's readiness to engage in dialogue on various concerns raised by the farmers.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Minister Munda stated, "After the fourth round, the government is ready to discuss all the issues like MSP demand, crop diversification, stubble issue, FIR in the fifth round."
Following the fourth round of talks, farmer leaders resumed their 'Delhi Chalo' march early on Wednesday. The non-political Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have jointly issued the call for the 'Delhi Chalo' movement, urging the BJP-led Centre to address their demands.
The journey of farmers from Punjab towards the national capital faced obstacles on Tuesday as security personnel hindered their progress at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, located between Punjab and Haryana.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, the General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor, reiterated the demand for a legal assurance of minimum support price (MSP) and emphasized a commitment to a peaceful approach moving forward. He clarified that only farmer leaders, not the entire farming community, would march towards Delhi.
"We have decided that no farmer, youth will march forward. Leaders will march ahead. We will not attack our Jawans. We will go peacefully. All this can be ended if they (central govt) make a law on MSP," Sarwan Singh Pandher reportedly said.
Pandher also urged the nation's youth to uphold the cause peacefully, even in the face of potential sacrifices. "Even if we die today, we urge the youth of the country to take this ahead peacefully," he asserted.
Meanwhile, farmer leaders have rejected the government's proposal to purchase pulses, maize, and cotton crops at guaranteed prices for five years. They insist on a legal MSP guarantee encompassing all 23 crops, dismissing the proposal as inadequate and not aligned with their interests.
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