No resolution possible when sanctity of agitation gets lost; some forces want protest to continue: Tomar

Vibha Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 2

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, after the 11th round of talks with farmer leaders,  on Friday has said when the name of the agitation is farmers’ agitation and still there is no conclusion, it means there are forces which do not want it to succeed.

“We have been held 45 hours of talks since October 2020 with the farmers’ unions,” he said, after the complete breakdown of the talks with farmers.

Drawing a line, a combative Tomar reiterated the commitment of the Narendra Modi government towards farmers and agriculture.

“Largely, it were Punjab farmers who led the agitation against the three laws. Throughout the agitation, efforts were made to mislead farmers. Despite this, we continued to hold a dialogue with the unions,” Tomar said.

“When unions remained adamant on the repeal, we gave several suggestions. I believe there was a lack of concern for farmers and that is the reason the talks could not fructify. The Government asked them to consider proposals except repeal, however, they remained adamant,” the Agriculture Minister added.

“That is why we told them that to end this dialogue. We told the farmers that if they arrive at any decision, they should let us know and we will continue the dialogue,” Tomar said.

Concluding his statement, the Agriculture Minister said he remained hopeful of a resolution saying that “there is both ‘sahmati’ and ‘ahsamti’ in democracy”.