Farmers from Punjab, demanding higher crop prices, pause protests for two days after the government offers talks. Clashes with police, barricades on highways, and rejected proposals mark their struggle, reminiscent of past protests forcing Modi’s government to repeal farm laws. (Photo: Prakash Singh/Bloomberg)
Farmers, primarily hailing from the northern state of Punjab, have persistently demanded increased crop prices supported by legislation. This collective, constituting a substantial voting bloc, remains a crucial constituency that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot afford to alienate, especially with general elections looming by May.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent leader among the farmers, informed reporters that they would temporarily halt their protest for two days to deliberate on their next steps, concluding on Friday. This decision followed the government’s renewed offer to resume discussions concerning the farmers’ demand for guaranteed crop prices.
“The government is ready to discuss all the issues,” affirmed Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, as posted on the social network X. “I again invite the farmer leaders for discussion. It is important for us to maintain peace.”
During a demonstration on Wednesday, protesters, some donning medical masks, entered fields near their designated gathering point on a highway approximately 200 km north of New Delhi, responding to tear gas fired by the police.
Pandher asserted that one protester lost their life, and three sustained injuries at a different protest site 100 km away. However, Haryana state police denied these claims. Local media showcased video clips of police utilizing water cannons, while farmers countered with hoses aimed at the site.
Earlier in the week, farmer groups rejected the government’s proposal for five-year contracts and guaranteed support prices for crops like corn, cotton, and pulses.
The farmers, equipped with cranes and excavators, commenced their march at 0530 GMT from a critical highway location where authorities had established barricades on the Punjab-Haryana border.
“It is not right that such massive barricades have been placed to stop us,” protested Jagjit Singh Dallewal, one of the leaders. “We want to march to Delhi peacefully. If not, they should accede to our demands.”
Riot police lined the highway, farmers waving colorful flags adorned with union symbols. On Tuesday, Haryana’s police chief ordered the immediate confiscation of heavy equipment brought by the farmers to prevent the destruction of barricades.
Around 10,000 people, along with 1,200 tractors and wagons, gathered at Shambhu on the state border, according to Haryana police’s X post.
Security measures heightened at New Delhi entry points, causing traffic disruptions in the city of over 20 million. Two crucial entry points north of the city remained closed for several days, with traffic diverted.
An earlier government proposal offering minimum support prices to farmers diversifying their crops faced rejection by the protesters, who sought expanded coverage for additional food grains.
These protests echo a similar scenario from two years ago when farmers camped at the New Delhi border for months, compelling Modi’s government to repeal a set of contentious farm laws.
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