Farmers’ protest: Delhi turns into fortress as thousands march to India capital

13 February 2024

Published in: BBC

Thousands of protesting farmers are marching from neighboring states to India’s capital Delhi to seek assured prices for their crops. In 2020, farmers had camped at Delhi borders protesting against controversial agricultural reforms. The yr-long protest in which dozens died was called off after the govt agreed to repeal the laws. Now the farmers have hit the streets again saying their key demands still haven’t been fulfilled. Police in Delhi have sealed the borders on three sides of the city, in an attempt to avoid a repeat of 2020 when protesting farmers hunkered down for months, blocking national highways that connect the capital to its neighboring states. The movement was seen as one of the biggest challenges to PM Narendra Modi’s govt.
▪️ The march comes just months before the gen elections in which Mr. Modi’s BJP is seeking a third term in power. Farmers form one of the most influential voting blocs in India and experts say the govt would try not to alienate them ahead of the polls. On Mon, federal ministers held a six-hour-long meeting with farm union leaders. Farmers’ and trade unions have also announced a rural strike on 16 Feb during which no agricultural activities will be carried out. Shops, markets and offices in all villages will be closed while farmers will block major roads across the city.