As the protests against the government's agricultural reforms continue, farmers in Punjab and Haryana held demonstrations against the Centre on Saturday.
In Punjab's Amritsar, the farmers burned an effigy and the demonstration led to a traffic jam.
Speaking to news agency ANI, a leader of the farmers, Gurbachan Singh Chabba said, "We are protesting and have burned the effigy of the government. If these bills, which are against the farmers of Punjab, are passed in the Parliament then the farmers will be destroyed and the Mandi system as well."
"These bills are anti-farmer and should not be passed in the Rajya Sabha. The bills are for enabling loot by big corporates and companies. We are protesting against this," he further said.
In Haryana, farmers and Aarhatiyas (commission agents) in Rohtak are staging a protest against the agriculture reforms bills passed by the Lok Sabha.
The demonstrators assembled and raised slogans against the Centre's reforms and further said that their outcry will continue till the three bills are taken back.
"We are protesting against the three bills brought by the Centre which are anti-farmers, and anti-business. Our protests will continue till they are taken back. On September 20 we will gherao the offices of Deputy Commissioner (DC) across Haryana. Farmers, Aadtis and all others will take part in this, this will be a big protest," Badhwar told ANI.
This comes after three ordinances were promulgated to usher in agricultural reforms for raising the income of the farmers and giving them more freedom to sell their produce.
The Lower House of the Parliament passed the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. It has already passed the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill.
These bills will now be tabled in the Rajya Sabha.
(WIth ANI inputs)
