New Delhi: An eight-page letter from Union agriculture minister Narendra Tomar marked the beginning of the BJP’s big outreach programme for the protesting farmers on Thursday. In the letter, the government spoke of keeping communication open with the farmers, but insisted that it would not entertain any opposition agenda.

Reiterating that the opposition is misleading the farmers about the agricultural reforms, the government said, “In the last 20 to 25 years, show any statement of any farmer leader or organisation that said farmers should not have an option to get better price for their produce”.

The farmers fear that the laws will eventually edge out the agricultural markets and the guaranteed prices offered by the government. It also addressed the other concern of farmers that their land can be taken away. “Farmers will own the land. Not even an inch of farmers’ land will be taken away,” the letter read.

The government, which has so far conducted five rounds of talks with the farmers, told the top court today that they are adamant about the repeal of laws and have a “yes-or-no stance”. “We observed yesterday that the Centre is not successful in negotiations. We do not think that the farmers will accept your conclusions. Let the committee decide,” said Chief Justice of India SA Bobde.