NEW DELHI — On Friday, Indian law enforcement deployed tear gas against a large group of farmers who were marching towards New Delhi, echoing protests from 2021 that called for guaranteed prices for their crops.
Confrontations occurred near Shambhu, a border area between Punjab and Haryana, where the government had fortified entry points into the capital with metal barricades and barbed wire. Additionally, internet services were cut in several districts of Haryana to hinder communication among the farmers.
The farmers began their journey from Haryana and Punjab, advocating for legally guaranteed state support or a minimum purchase price for their produce. A similar demonstration three years ago resulted in a significant presence of farmers who camped on the outskirts of the capital for over a year.
Currently, the government provides some protection to farmers against drastic decreases in crop prices by announcing minimum purchase prices for essential crops at the start of the sowing season, based on production costs. However, state agencies primarily purchase only rice and wheat at these support prices, and farmers are now demanding minimum purchase prices for at least 20 essential crops.
Moreover, the farmers are urging the government to fulfill its commitment to double their incomes, highlighting that the costs of farming have surged over time while their earnings have remained constant. They have also called for loan waivers to alleviate their financial burdens.
Leaders of the farmer unions have stated their intentions to continue their protests in New Delhi, coinciding with the ongoing parliamentary session.
In a significant event in 2021, Prime Minister Modi rescinded a series of agricultural laws that farmers believed would negatively impact their livelihoods. The government’s concession was perceived as a substantial retreat, especially after a dramatic incident in January of that year where numerous farmers stormed the iconic Red Fort in New Delhi.
Following the revocation of these laws, the government pledged to establish a committee comprised of farmers and officials to explore options for providing support prices for essential agricultural products. However, despite multiple discussions aimed at this goal, no tangible progress has been made, leading farmers to accuse the government of failing to deliver on its promises.
