Highlights: Punjab CM calls return of Padma award by Badal 'theatrics'

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday called the decision of Akali Dal stalwart Parkash Singh Badal to return his Padma Vibhushan theatrics and wondered why he was even given the country’s second-highest civilian honour.

“This ‘dramebaazi’ (theatrics) might have worked 40 years ago but it does not work now,” Singh said.

Interstate buses of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) continues to remain closed as farmers plan to intensify protests. The services are suspended since November 27.

"The Interstate operation is closed and will be restored after the position normalises," news agency PTI quoted R S Minhas, deputy chief general manager (PR) of DTC, as saying.

Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for a 3-day protest in Kolkata in support of farmers against the new farm laws.

The decision was taken in the internal meeting chaired by the Chief Minister with Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and district presidents of the state, sources from TMC informed ANI.

TMC will stage Dharna on December 8, 9, and 10 against recently enacted farm laws near the Gandhi Statue in Kolkata.

Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), the BJP's coalition partner in Haryana, met Home Minister Anil Vij on Friday and sought withdrawal of cases registered in the state against farmers participating in the "Delhi Chalo" march against the Centre's farm laws.

As protests continues, volunteers distributed medicines to farmers at the Ghazipur border. "Most patients are coming due to gastric problems and body-ache. This is the first day that we have come here. We've seen about a hundred patients till now," news agency ANI quoted one doctor as saying.

We need to take this protest forward. Government has to take back the farm laws, says Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha, at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border).

We have decided to give 'Bharat bandh' call on December 8, says farmer leader Harvinder Singh Ladkhwal after a meeting.

To show his solidarity with farmers, a groom in Haryana's Karnal left his luxury car behind and rode a tractor to his wedding venue. "We might have moved to the city but our roots are connected with farming. Farmers should be the nation's main priority, and instead, the government is using water cannon on them in winter. We want to send a message that farmers have the public's support," news agency ANI quoted the groom as saying.

“The government and the farmers did not reach any decision during the meeting held on Thursday. The government wants to make amendments to the three laws, but we want the laws to be completely repealed. If the government does not agree to our demands, we will continue to protest. We are looking to find out what happens in Saturday’s meeting,” news agency PTI quotes Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait as saying.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot hit out at the Central government for the recently-passed farm laws, demanding their immediate withdrawal and an apology for the "misbehaviour".

"The Central Government did not discuss these bills with anyone, due to which farmers of the entire country are on the roads today. Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh sought time to talk to the President on behalf of the farmers regarding these laws but he was not given any time," the Chief Minister tweeted.

Noted environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh of Khadoor Sahib announced to return Padma Sri Award to President of India. He got this award for his remarkable contribution in the field of environment conservation

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien met farmers gathered in protest at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) today. The protesters also spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the phone.

(Image courtesy: ANI)

"If a writer can’t present people’s voice then what’s the point? I didn’t start writing for awards. It's disheartening to see Central govt dealing mercilessly with farmers & violating basic human rights," says Novelist Dr Jaswinder Singh after his Bhartiya Sahitya Akademi Award over farmers' protest against farm laws.

Commuters in the national capital region continued to suffer as multiple borders between Delhi and neighbouring states remained closed with the ongoing farmers' agitation entering the ninth day on Friday, reports ANI.

The Delhi Traffic Police on Friday morning said that the Tikri, Jharoda borders have been closed for any traffic movement adding that the Jhatikara Border is open only for two-wheeler traffic, reports ANI.