New Delhi, In a significant escalation of tensions, Indian police deployed tear gas against farmers and their supporters who were marching towards New Delhi today. The protesters, hailing primarily from the northern states of Haryana and Punjab, are demanding the implementation of crop price guarantees, reviving grievances that had led to a year-long standoff with the government in 2021.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the march, dubbed “Dilli Chalo,” is a resurgence of farmer activism following the government’s previous concession to scrap three controversial agricultural laws. Despite this concession, farmers argue that the Modi administration has not fulfilled its promises regarding the establishment of a minimum support price for all agricultural produce. The protest sees the participation of over 200 farmer unions, unified in their demand for a legislative guarantee of crop prices.
Television footage captured the dramatic scenes at a border point approximately 200 kilometers north of Delhi, where police used drones to drop tear gas canisters on the advancing protesters. The confrontation led to scuffles at the Shambhu border, with reports of injuries among farmers and journalists due to the tear gas shelling.
The response to the protest has been severe, with New Delhi fortified against the protesters through the use of barbed wire, cement blocks, and metal spikes. A significant police and security presence in the city, coupled with a ban on large gatherings, reflects the government’s determination to prevent the farmers from entering the capital. Additionally, the Haryana government, led by the BJP, has suspended internet services in seven districts to curb the mobilization of protesters.
Farm leaders, undeterred by the government’s crackdown, vow to persist with their protest until their demands are met. The emphasis on peaceful movement and dialogue with the government underscores the farmers’ commitment to non-violent advocacy for their rights. However, the impasse continues as the government has yet to address their core demands.
The situation remains tense, with the farmers’ and trade unions calling for a rural strike on February 16. The planned strike aims to halt all agricultural activities, close shops, markets, and offices in villages, and block major roads across India, signaling a potential escalation in the farmers’ struggle for rights and recognition.