Thousands have taken to the streets farmers and to Indiawho they request the adoption of a minimum selling price for their products, as well as the cancellation of debts.

After the failure of their negotiations with the government, a large convoy of tractors started today from the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh towards New Delhi.

“Farmers from all over the country are ready to march to New Delhi from Tuesday, if the government does not meet our demands”said Swaran Singh Padher, head of a national farmers’ union.

Indian security forces used tear gas to prevent the peasants from reaching the capital and demonstrating.

Indian television networks broadcast images of thick smoke from tear gas fired by security forces near Ambalanorth of New Delhi.

Large police forces have set up on the main axes that lead to the Indian capital huge barricade with concrete slabs and barbed wire to prevent farmers from entering New Delhi.

“Maximum forces have been deployed”Ranjai Atrisia, deputy superintendent of police in New Delhi, told AFP.

India

Furthermore, any gathering of more than five people has been banned in the Indian capital.

Poverty and debt are suffocating farmers

Thousands of farmers kill themselves every year in India due to poverty, debt and the impact of extreme weather and climate change on their crops.

In 2020, tens of thousands of Indian farmers camped at the entrances of New Delhi to protest the agrarian reform promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Their protest lasted more than a year, until the fall of 2021, while during demonstrations more than 700 people were killed. On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, farmers broke through police barricades and entered New Delhi.

Farmers carry a lot of political weight in India because of their numbers. The threat of further protests comes as April’s national elections approach.

Two-thirds of India’s population of 1.4 billion live off agriculturewhich makes up almost a fifth of the country’s GDP, according to official figures.