Beat ‘thalis’ during PM Modi’s last ‘Mann Ki Baat’: Protesting farmers   

Addressing a press conference, leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union Jagjit Singh Dalewala appealed to the entire country to bang utensils on December 27 during PM Modi's Mann ki Baat radio programme, the same way the prime minister had asked everyone to bang utensils for coronavirus.

Jagjit Singh Dalewala said: “"On December 27, the prime minister will speak in his Mann Ki Baat. The same way the PM had asked the country to bang utensils for corona, we appeal to the entire country to bang utensils in your houses throughout the duration of his program to drown out his Mann Ki Baat."

He further said that the farmers' union has decided to keep the toll plazas in Haryana free from December 25 to December 27.

Earlier in March, PM Modi had appealed to citizens to come out to their balconies and clap their hands and clang utensils to express their gratitude to the medical professionals combating the coronavirus outbreak.

Farmers have been protesting at different borders of Delhi since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws- Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance, and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Meanwhile, the government on Sunday wrote to the farmers who have been protesting on Delhi borders since November 26, inviting them for the next round of talks to end the deadlock over the farm laws. The government has also asked the farmers to choose a convenient date for the talks.

Previous rounds of talks have failed to end the deadlock between the government and the farmers. While the farmers are adamant about their demand to repeal the laws, the government says that's not possible. The agitation enters the 25th day and the stalemate between farmers and Centre continues.