Prakash Ambedkar backs farmers' stir; VBA to protest in Maharashtra from December 17

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar anunced his party's support for farmers' stir against agrarian laws. He revealed that VBA workers will st protests at various places across Maharashtra from December 17 onwards to show solidarity with farmers. Moreover, he appealed to farmers of state to participate in this agitation.

On this occasion, he lamented that Centre was t ready to incorporate MSP guarantee in Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020,  Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and  Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. According to Ambedkar, this could lead to a situation where farmers are cheated by traders. Moreover, he called upon Maharashtra government to amend state APMC Act mandating that farmers' produce shall t be procured before MSP. 

Read: Farmers' Union BKU (Kisan) Suspends Protests For A Month; Demands Law Guaranteeing MSP

VBA president Prakash Ambedkar remarked, "It has been more than 20 days since farmers started ir agitation. We are against new laws pertaining to agricultural sector. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has also declared its support. From December 17, we will st protests at Collector office and Tehsildar office in state. To show support for farmers protesting in Delhi, we urge Maharashtra's farmers to participate in this people's movement." 

Read: Farm Acts Already National Laws; States Need t tify Separately, Says Experts

Protests against farm laws

From what started as a scheduled protest in national capital on vember 26 and 27, thousands of farmers are still protesting at borders of Delhi against  agrarian laws. While Centre appealed to m to shift to Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari, only a section of farmers heeded this call. Apart from  five rounds of meetings that took place between Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar and farmers' leaders, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also met m on one occasion.

However, talks came to a standstill after farmers refused to accept written proposal sent by Centre pertaining to amendments in farm laws. While farmers' unions have hardened ir stance on repeal of laws, Union government has made it clear that it is t ready to do so. At same time, it has expressed willingness to continue talks whenever farmers' unions are ready for a discussion.

Read: Union Agriculture Minister Tomar Says Protest Against Farm Laws An 'exception'; Hopes For An Early Solution