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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999179325 999179325 |
2021-01-08T21:44:27Z |
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Further reading |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999237307 999237307 |
2021-01-09T04:29:37Z |
157605(3) |
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As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. Number of Reliance Jio telecom towers and other infrastructure was damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December, 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers .
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As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance Jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December, 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers .
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999237474 999237474 |
2021-01-09T04:31:07Z |
157605(0) |
5469(0) |
237(0) |
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As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance Jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December, 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers .
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As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance Jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December, 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999337990 999337990 |
2021-01-09T17:56:34Z |
156186(-1419) |
5368(-101) |
235(-2) |
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On December 14, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. In a memorandum submitted to Tomar, the group claimed that 'some elements' of the farmers' community, especially in Delhi, were trying to create misunderstandings about the new reforms, which propose to overhaul the way farmers do business in the country. The group said it has been an “unhappy victim” of the old market system. On December 8, farmers representing Har Kisan, told the agriculture minister that they want the laws to remain in force.
On December 24, 20000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. "We want to meet the minister and inform him that the ongoing protests on Delhi's borders by unions from Punjab and Haryana no doubt comprise farmers but they do not represent farmers of all India or other states like UP," Mr Singh said. Kisan Sena warns of bigger protest if Centre repeals new farm laws.
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On December 14, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On December 24, 20000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws.
However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999399149 999399149 |
2021-01-10T00:01:46Z |
156169(-17) |
5357(-11) |
235(0) |
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A plea submitted by a number of students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the from of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
On December 30, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites’, `Khalistanis’, and prevail on the BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
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A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
On December 30, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites’, `Khalistanis,’ and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999443976 999443976 |
2021-01-10T05:41:03Z |
156942(773) |
5416(59) |
236(1) |
Conspiracy theories |
Several BJP leaders have claimed with evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals".
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Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by “eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds” although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999453822 999453822 |
2021-01-10T07:18:50Z |
156946(4) |
5416(0) |
236(0) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999466866 999466866 |
2021-01-10T09:38:39Z |
157277(331) |
5433(17) |
237(1) |
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In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts.
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In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999497474 999497474 |
2021-01-10T13:55:59Z |
157279(2) |
5434(1) |
237(0) |
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On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed on two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution law and dropping amendments of new Electricity Ordinance and rest of the demands will be discussed by both sides on 4 January. Uptill 4 January 2021, seven rounds of talks have taken place between the centre and farmers (represented by the farm unions).
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On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed on two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution law and dropping amendments of new Electricity Ordinance and rest of the demands will be discussed by both sides on 4 January. Up until 4 January 2021, seven rounds of talks have taken place between the centre and farmers (represented by the farm unions).
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999502811 999502811 |
2021-01-10T14:37:24Z |
158443(1164) |
5536(102) |
239(2) |
November 26-December 20, 2020 |
On January 6, 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, farmer death toll during farmers satyagraha was estimated at 65 including four farmer-suicides; on January 2, 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57, on December 30, 2020, it was over 50, and on 20 December, 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, it was 41. The first death of a farmer on the Delhi's border was recorded on 27 November. Since then the death toll has continued to climb. Haryana Police, Delhi Police, and the Uttar Pradesh Police have avoided issuing a bulletin or up-dates on farmers deaths. Estimates of farmer's death are based on media reports.
From 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, protesting-farmers death toll was 41. Of these 41, 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
As of January 2, 2021, four farmers have committed suicides as mark of protest against government's farm policy. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10 page note, dated December 14, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated December 16, 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on December 18, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, “Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice.”
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On January 8, 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 70. On January 2, 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December, 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On December 30, 2020, it was over 50. The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of Novemeber 26, 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmer who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on Novemeber 26, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi. Since the death of Dhanna Singh the farmer's death toll has continued to climb. In the absence of reports of farmer's deaths, and updates, by Haryana Police, Delhi Police, and the Uttar Pradesh Police , the estimates here are based on media reports.
On December 20, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 41, 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
As of January 8, 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10 page note, dated December 14, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated December 16, 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on December 18, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, “Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice.”
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999505750 999505750 |
2021-01-10T14:58:37Z |
158424(-19) |
5507(-29) |
239(0) |
Langar |
Scores of langars, makeshift kitchens, have been deployed by farmer's organization and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the Capital city on November 26, 2020. These langars which work round the clock provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion.The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils seasonal vegetable, roti, glasses of buttermilk and tea. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs have pitched in with aid in kind. Farmer's use of mechanical roti makers which churn out 1000 rotis an hour was cause of much comment and interest in the Delhi-based media. Another media sensation and cause of mocking of the farmer's movement, was when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border. The media also made adverse comments on some farmer's savor dry-fruits like cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs.
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Scores of langars, makeshift kitchens, have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on November 26, 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on some farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999514427 999514427 |
2021-01-10T15:59:01Z |
158787(363) |
5506(-1) |
240(1) |
Fatalities |
On January 8, 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 70. On January 2, 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December, 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On December 30, 2020, it was over 50. The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of Novemeber 26, 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmer who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on Novemeber 26, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi. Since the death of Dhanna Singh the farmer's death toll has continued to climb. In the absence of reports of farmer's deaths, and updates, by Haryana Police, Delhi Police, and the Uttar Pradesh Police , the estimates here are based on media reports.
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On January 8, 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 70. On January 2, 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December, 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On December 30, 2020, it was over 50. The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of Novemeber 26, 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmer who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on Novemeber 26, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi. Since the death of Dhanna Singh the farmer's death toll has continued to climb. In the absence of reports of farmer's deaths, bulletins and updates, by Haryana Police, Delhi Police, and the Uttar Pradesh Police, the estimates here are based on media reports.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999643566 999643566 |
2021-01-11T06:02:32Z |
158984(197) |
5532(26) |
240(0) |
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All the ongoing protests are only based on the misinformation conveyed by the opposition parties like- Indian National Congress, Aam Admi Party, All India Trinamool Congress, etcectra.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999647726 999647726 |
2021-01-11T06:35:46Z |
158787(-197) |
5506(-26) |
240(0) |
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All the ongoing protests are only based on the misinformation conveyed by the opposition parties like- Indian National Congress, Aam Admi Party, All India Trinamool Congress, etcectra.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999671023 999671023 |
2021-01-11T10:04:00Z |
158766(-21) |
5506(0) |
240(0) |
Langar |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999671133 999671133 |
2021-01-11T10:04:57Z |
158764(-2) |
5506(0) |
240(0) |
Background |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999673543 999673543 |
2021-01-11T10:28:45Z |
158924(160) |
5483(-23) |
240(0) |
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Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On December 14, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On December 24, 20000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws.
However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars, makeshift kitchens, have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on November 26, 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on some farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity,” said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
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Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=999675023 999675023 |
2021-01-11T10:43:22Z |
158728(-196) |
5386(-97) |
240(0) |
Fatalities |
On January 8, 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 70. On January 2, 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December, 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On December 30, 2020, it was over 50. The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of Novemeber 26, 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmer who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on Novemeber 26, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi. Since the death of Dhanna Singh the farmer's death toll has continued to climb. In the absence of reports of farmer's deaths, bulletins and updates, by Haryana Police, Delhi Police, and the Uttar Pradesh Police, the estimates here are based on media reports.
On December 20, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 41, 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
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On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 70. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On December 20, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
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Farmer Camps |
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
Seven rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) by 6 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers — agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 A.M and 3 P.M alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
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In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
Seven rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) by 6 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers — agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 AM and 3 PM alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
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Supreme Court of India involvement |
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On 11 January 20201 the Chief Justice of India said, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee."
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
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Talks between centre and farmers |
On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed on two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution law and dropping amendments of new Electricity Ordinance and rest of the demands will be discussed by both sides on 4 January. Up until 4 January 2021, seven rounds of talks have taken place between the centre and farmers (represented by the farm unions).
Seven rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) by 6 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers — agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
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On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed on two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution law and dropping amendments of new Electricity Ordinance and rest of the demands will be discussed by both sides on 4 January. Up until 6 January 2021, eight rounds of talks have taken place between the centre and farmers (represented by the farm unions).
Eight rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) by 8 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers — agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
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Over 50 farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles. By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also intends to take forward the negotiations with the various bodies of protesting farmer unions. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers.
On 11 January 20201 the Chief Justice of India said, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee."
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
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Over 50 farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles. By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers.
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Farmer leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee."
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Over 50 farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles. By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers.
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Farmer leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
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Over 50 farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Farmer leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
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top |
The 2020 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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The 2020–21 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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On December 20, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On January 1, 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On January 2, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of January 8, 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10 page note, dated December 14, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated December 16, 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on December 18, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, “Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice.”
On December 18, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
January 2, 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on November 26, 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges.”
On 4 January, 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. However, the government delegation did not join the farmers for lunch as they had done on December 30, 2020.
Eight rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) by 8 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers — agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 AM and 3 PM alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
In December 2020, Bharatiya Janata Party IT Cell's head, Amit Malviya, shared a misleading and fake video regarding the farmers' protests, claiming that there had been no police violence, in response to evidence of police violence shared by Congress politician Rahul Gandhi. Twitter flagged Malviya's video as 'manipulated media', placing a warning below the tweet to indicate that the content shared by Malviya was "deceptively altered or fabricated" with the intention of misleading people. Several BJP politicians, including Union Minister Giriraj Singh, shared a video of police officials removing the turban of a Sikh protester, and falsely claimed that the protester was not Sikh but was in fact Muslim, and further claimed that this was evidence of Muslims instigating protests. This video had previously been shared during the 2019 Citizenship Act protests and was debunked as fake then, despite which it was shared again during the 2020 farmers' protests to raise allegations against Muslim citizens. In January 2020, a user generated National Geographic magazine cover was circulated as a real cover depicting the farmers' protest as the cover story.
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by “eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds” although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
United Nations: António Guterres, secretary-general, called on the Indian government to allow the protests, affirming the right to voice opposition to the government, stating “...People have a right to demonstrate peacefully and authorities need to let them do so.”
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance Jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December, 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On December 30, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites’, `Khalistanis,’ and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
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On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. However, the government delegation did not join the farmers for lunch as they had done on 30 December 2020.
Eight rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) by 8 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
In December 2020, Bharatiya Janata Party IT Cell's head, Amit Malviya, shared a misleading and fake video regarding the farmers' protests, claiming that there had been no police violence, in response to evidence of police violence shared by Congress politician Rahul Gandhi. Twitter flagged Malviya's video as 'manipulated media', placing a warning below the tweet to indicate that the content shared by Malviya was "deceptively altered or fabricated" with the intention of misleading people. Several BJP politicians, including Union Minister Giriraj Singh, shared a video of police officials removing the turban of a Sikh protester, and falsely claimed that the protester was not Sikh but was in fact Muslim, and further claimed that this was evidence of Muslims instigating protests. This video had previously been shared during the 2019 Citizenship Act protests and was debunked as fake then, despite which it was shared again during the 2020 farmers' protests to raise allegations against Muslim citizens. In January 2020, a user generated National Geographic Magazine cover was circulated as a real cover depicting the farmers' protest as the cover story.
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
United Nations: António Guterres, secretary-general, called on the Indian government to allow the protests, affirming the right to voice opposition to the government, stating "...People have a right to demonstrate peacefully and authorities need to let them do so."
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
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Blocked border and roads |
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Farmer Camps |
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Protests |
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Farmers' suicides |
Farmers have long felt targeted and exploited in India. Between 1995 and 2019, the National Crime Records Bureau of India reported that a total 296,438 Indian farmers had committed suicide since 1995.
It has been noted that in 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector have committed suicide. This is largely due to rising debt levels and low income.
The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
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India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
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India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
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Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
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Incidents of fake news |
Several politicians and public figures have raised allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. The general secretary of the BJP, Dushyant Kumar Gautam, alleged slogans of "Khalistan Zindabad" and "Pakistan Zindabad" being used during the protests. On 28 November, the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that "unwanted elements" like radical Khalistan sympathizers have been seen among the peacefully and democratically protesting farmers. These allegations were supported by news outlet, Times Now. However, fact checks conducted by news outlet India Today as well as non-profit fact checking website, Alt News, both indicated that old images from a 2013 protest were being used to make false claims about Khalistani separatism during the farmers protests. Protesters also have accused the national media of not telling the truth in relation to the laws. A protester told Scroll.in that "The Modi media is calling us Khalistanis [...] We have been sitting peacefully for one month, however recently violent. That make us terrorists." Commentators have said that the Khalistan angle is being used to defame the protests. The Editors Guild of India asked the media not label protesting farmers as "Khalistanis" or "anti-nationals" saying that "This goes against the tenets of responsible and ethical journalism. Such actions compromise the credibility of the media."
In December 2020, Bharatiya Janata Party IT Cell's head, Amit Malviya, shared a misleading and fake video regarding the farmers' protests, claiming that there had been no police violence, in response to evidence of police violence shared by Congress politician Rahul Gandhi. Twitter flagged Malviya's video as 'manipulated media', placing a warning below the tweet to indicate that the content shared by Malviya was "deceptively altered or fabricated" with the intention of misleading people. Several BJP politicians, including Union Minister Giriraj Singh, shared a video of police officials removing the turban of a Sikh protester, and falsely claimed that the protester was not Sikh but was in fact Muslim, and further claimed that this was evidence of Muslims instigating protests. This video had previously been shared during the 2019 Citizenship Act protests and was debunked as fake then, despite which it was shared again during the 2020 farmers' protests to raise allegations against Muslim citizens. In January 2020, a user generated National Geographic Magazine cover was circulated as a real cover depicting the farmers' protest as the cover story.
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Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
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Supreme Court of India involvement |
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the courts recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee."
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The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
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On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed on two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution law and dropping amendments of new Electricity Ordinance and rest of the demands will be discussed by both sides on 4 January. Up until 6 January 2021, eight rounds of talks have taken place between the centre and farmers (represented by the farm unions).
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On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance; the rest of the demands were to be discussed by both sides on 4 January. By 6 January 2021, eight rounds of talks took place between the centre and farmers (represented by the farm unions).
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The 2020–21 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate.
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Dilli Chalo |
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
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The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law. But the strike appeared to fail and gained no support from public.
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Farmers in favor of farm laws |
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
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On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws.
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On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws.
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On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
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Dilli Chalo |
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law. But the strike appeared to fail and gained no support from public.
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The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
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Academics |
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others.
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On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
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Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farmer unions marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, India Today estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
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Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, India Today estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
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Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, India Today estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
Over 50 farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
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Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
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Farmer unions' demands |
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The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan.
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.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}"No Alternative To Demands For MSP Guarantee, Repealing Farm Laws: Farmer Leaders". NDTV. PTI. 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2021-01-15.CS1 maint: others (link)
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000507773 1000507773 |
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Insistence on repealing the farm laws |
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan.
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The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in this regard.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000508338 1000508338 |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it, even the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee.
The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000510677 1000510677 |
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Supreme Court of India litigation |
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate.
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On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000512921 1000512921 |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it, even the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee.
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in this regard.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it, even a Supreme Court of India stay order or the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee.
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000543963 1000543963 |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it, even a Supreme Court of India stay order or the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee.
On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance; the rest of the demands were to be discussed by both sides on 4 January. By 6 January 2021, eight rounds of talks took place between the centre and farmers (represented by the farm unions).
Eight rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) by 8 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it, even a Supreme Court of India stay order or the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the centre and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance.
Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 15 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it, even a Supreme Court of India stay order or the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the centre and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee citing bias. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000545280 1000545280 |
2021-01-15T15:38:32Z |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee citing bias. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000548022 1000548022 |
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Background |
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Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers.
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On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honor the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called Shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honor the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. However, the government delegation did not join the farmers for lunch as they had done on 30 December 2020.
United Nations: António Guterres, secretary-general, called on the Indian government to allow the protests, affirming the right to voice opposition to the government, stating "...People have a right to demonstrate peacefully and authorities need to let them do so."
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On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
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2021-01-16T04:05:29Z |
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2021-01-17T03:26:04Z |
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2021-01-17T03:27:18Z |
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2021-01-17T04:46:29Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000885964 1000885964 |
2021-01-17T06:08:20Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000899793 1000899793 |
2021-01-17T07:57:04Z |
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Incidents of fake news |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1000945311 1000945311 |
2021-01-17T13:56:47Z |
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See also |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1001340048 1001340048 |
2021-01-19T07:27:18Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1001465736 1001465736 |
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The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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Commemoration of the dead |
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Farmer unions' demands |
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage voluntary electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
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The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing peaceful protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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2021-01-20T08:24:08Z |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing peaceful protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 70. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 15 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
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On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
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By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Farmer leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
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By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
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Farmers against the farm laws |
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
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In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a [[Bandh| Bharat Bandh' means shutting down to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
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Farmers against the farm laws |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1001768801 1001768801 |
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In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a [[Bandh| Bharat Bandh' means shutting down to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
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In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that the image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' peanus is an ongoing peanus against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the peanuss are based on misinformation.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local peanuss, mostly in Punjab. After two months of peanuss, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been peanusing, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by peanusers around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the peanusing farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the peanus.
Additionally, peanusing farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the peanus. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale peanuss had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the peanuss against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to peanus against these farm laws. The most widespread peanuss took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the peanuss, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to peanus against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the peanus.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's peanus have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the peanusing farm unions include:
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, peanusers from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the peanusers, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting peanusing farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the peanusers' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a peanus site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of peanusing at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in peanus.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by peanusers during the peanuss. On 29 November, the peanusers announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly peanusers.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the peanus site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the peanusers at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to peanus government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in peanus against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the peanus site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's peanus, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm peanusers were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the peanus, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in peanus against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 4 December, the farmers peanusing on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the peanuss, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' peanuss. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of peanusing farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the peanuss. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the peanuss are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the peanusing farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The peanus is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing peanuss by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the peanuss had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the peanuss, and linked them to previous peanuss about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the peanuss, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the peanusing farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused peanusing farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that peanusing farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of peanusers as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with peanusing farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these peanuss."
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' peanus. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the peanuss.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the peanuss.
Videos and images of the peanuss have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that the image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #Farmerspeanus, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' peanus. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove peanusing farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful peanus but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of peanusers, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' peanus, this is the first petition filed in favour of the peanus".
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers peanuss). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of peanusing farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst peanusing farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in peanus, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
Since the beginning of peanuss many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the peanus and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the peanus featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the peanuss since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' peanus is an ongoing peanus against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the peanuss are based on misinformation.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local peanuss, mostly in Punjab. After two months of peanuss, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been peanusing, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by peanusers around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the peanusing farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the peanus.
Additionally, peanusing farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the peanus. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale peanuss had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the peanuss against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to peanus against these farm laws. The most widespread peanuss took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the peanuss, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to peanus against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the peanus.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's peanus have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the peanusing farm unions include:
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, peanusers from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the peanusers, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting peanusing farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the peanusers' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a peanus site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of peanusing at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in peanus.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by peanusers during the peanuss. On 29 November, the peanusers announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly peanusers.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the peanus site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the peanusers at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to peanus government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in peanus against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the peanus site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's peanus, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm peanusers were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the peanus, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in peanus against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 4 December, the farmers peanusing on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the peanuss, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' peanuss. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of peanusing farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the peanuss. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the peanuss are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the peanusing farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The peanus is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing peanuss by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the peanuss had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the peanuss, and linked them to previous peanuss about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the peanuss, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the peanusing farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused peanusing farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that peanusing farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of peanusers as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with peanusing farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these peanuss."
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' peanus. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the peanuss.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the peanuss.
Videos and images of the peanuss have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that the image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #Farmerspeanus, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' peanus. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove peanusing farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful peanus but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of peanusers, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' peanus, this is the first petition filed in favour of the peanus".
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers peanuss). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of peanusing farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst peanusing farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in peanus, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
Since the beginning of peanuss many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the peanus and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the peanus featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the peanuss since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that the image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance.
In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
These acts areas are:
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers.
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
As of 23 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop the trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, the number of farmers blocking Delhi in the Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The farmers' unions announced that on 4 December they would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing their plans to return their awards and medals received from the Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced their plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with the central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed their plans for a national strike on 8 December. Further talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked the central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over the new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Milind Sathye, a professor at the University of Canberra asserts that the new laws will "enable farmers to act together and join hands with the private sector and that the previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among other problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at the University of Toronto, states that "the bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects the largest single sector of the economy and the poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that the image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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Cliick Here 2020–2021 Indian farmers' peanus is an ongoing peanus against Cliick Here three farm acts which were passed by Cliick Here Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and Cliick Hereir representatives have demanded that Cliick Here laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on Cliick Here farm laws as well as Cliick Here involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between Cliick Here central government and farmers represented by Cliick Here farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
Cliick Here acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from Cliick Here opposition also say it would leave farmers at Cliick Here "mercy of corporates". Cliick Here farmers have also requested for Cliick Here creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. Cliick Here government, however, maintains that Cliick Herey will make it effortless for farmers to sell Cliick Hereir produce directly to big buyers, and stated that Cliick Here peanuss are based on misinformation.
Soon after Cliick Here acts were introduced, unions began holding local peanuss, mostly in Punjab. After two months of peanuss, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards Cliick Here nation's capital. Cliick Here Indian government ordered Cliick Here police and law enforcement of various states to attack Cliick Here farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent Cliick Here farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and Cliick Heren Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of Cliick Here farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on Cliick Here way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been peanusing, whereas Cliick Here Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of Cliick Here farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of Cliick Here farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After Cliick Here government did not accept Cliick Here farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, Cliick Here farmer unions planned to escalate Cliick Here action to anoCliick Herer India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. Cliick Here government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal Cliick Here laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, Cliick Here Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by peanusers around Delhi. Cliick Here court also asked Cliick Here government to put Cliick Here laws on hold, which Cliick Herey refused. On 4 January 2021 Cliick Here court registered Cliick Here first plea filed in favour of Cliick Here peanusing farmers. Farmers have said Cliick Herey will not listen to Cliick Here courts if told to back off. Cliick Hereir leaders have also said that staying Cliick Here farm laws is not a solution.
On 30 December, Cliick Here Indian Government agreed to two of Cliick Here farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to Cliick Here new Electricity Ordinance.
In 2017, Cliick Here central government released Cliick Here Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of Cliick Here reforms suggested in Cliick Here acts had not been implemented by Cliick Here states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss Cliick Here implementation. Accordingly, Cliick Here central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in Cliick Here first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, Cliick Hereir sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among oCliick Herer things. Cliick Herese ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by Cliick Here Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, Cliick Here three bills were passed by Cliick Here Rajya Sabha, where Cliick Here government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring Cliick Here requests of Cliick Here opposition for a full vote. Cliick Here President of India gave his assent by signing Cliick Here bills on 28 September, thus converting Cliick Herem into acts. Cliick Here legality of Cliick Here acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
Cliick Herese acts areas are:
OCliick Herer related issues include farmer suicides and Cliick Here state of Cliick Here economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in Cliick Here farming sector committed suicide. Cliick Here slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel Cliick Here peanus.
Many developing economies reformed Cliick Hereir agriculture policies in Cliick Here 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of Cliick Here London School of Economics cites Cliick Here case of Kenya in which Cliick Hereir agriculture reforms increased Cliick Here ease of doing business, however this very increase caused oCliick Herer problems for Cliick Here farmers.
Cliick Here farmer unions believe that Cliick Here laws will open Cliick Here sale and marketing of agricultural products outside Cliick Here notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. FurCliick Herer, Cliick Here laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. Cliick Here new laws prevent Cliick Here state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside Cliick Here APMC markets; this has led Cliick Here farmers to believe Cliick Here laws will "gradually end Cliick Here mandi system" and "leave farmers at Cliick Here mercy of corporates". FurCliick Herer, Cliick Here farmers believe that Cliick Here laws will end Cliick Hereir existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for Cliick Hereir crop).
Additionally, peanusing farmers believe dismantling Cliick Here APMC mandis will encourage abolishing Cliick Here purchase of Cliick Hereir crops at Cliick Here minimum support price. Cliick Herey are Cliick Hererefore demanding Cliick Here minimum support prices to be guaranteed by Cliick Here government.
As of 23 January 2021, Cliick Here farmers' demands include:
Cliick Here insistence of Cliick Here farmers over repealing Cliick Here farm laws has been noted extensively by Cliick Here Indian media over Cliick Here course of Cliick Here peanus. OCliick Herer than Cliick Here farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying Cliick Here farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale peanuss had started in August 2020 when Cliick Here Farm Bills were made public. It was only after Cliick Here passage of Cliick Here acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined Cliick Here peanuss against Cliick Here reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to peanus against Cliick Herese farm laws. Cliick Here most widespread peanuss took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and oCliick Herer states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to Cliick Here peanuss, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states Cliick Heren marched to Delhi to peanus against Cliick Here laws. Farmers also criticized Cliick Here national media for misrepresenting Cliick Here peanus.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's peanus have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under Cliick Here coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], Cliick Here peanusing farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as Cliick Here All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt Cliick Here movement of supplies in Cliick Here norCliick Herern states, furCliick Herer adding that "We will Cliick Heren escalate it to Cliick Here entire country if Cliick Here government fails to address (Cliick Here farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "Cliick Here farmers have rejected Cliick Here government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of Cliick Here Krantikari Kisan Union told Cliick Here press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop Cliick Here trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended Cliick Here campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off Cliick Here campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and oCliick Herer goods in Cliick Here state were starting to run short.
After failing to get Cliick Here support of Cliick Hereir respective state governments, Cliick Here farmers decided to pressure Cliick Here Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, peanusers from Cliick Here Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at Cliick Here borders of Cliick Here city. Cliick Here police employed Cliick Here use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop Cliick Here peanusers, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst Cliick Here clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted Cliick Here actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting peanusing farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
Cliick Here march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both Cliick Here farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, Cliick Here number of farmers blocking Delhi in Cliick Here Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
Cliick Here Central Government Of India announced Cliick Herey would for discussing Cliick Here future of Cliick Here new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite Cliick Here peanusers' demands that Cliick Here talks took place immediately. It was decided that Cliick Here government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. Cliick Here Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. Cliick Here KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for Cliick Herese reasons. While Cliick Here Center wanted Cliick Here farmers to move away from Delhi to a peanus site in Burari Cliick Here farmers preferred to stay at Cliick Here borders and instead put forward a proposal of peanusing at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
Cliick Here farmers' unions announced that on 4 December Cliick Herey would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing Cliick Hereir plans to return Cliick Hereir awards and medals received from Cliick Here Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced Cliick Hereir plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with Cliick Here central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed Cliick Hereir plans for a national strike on 8 December. FurCliick Herer talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, Cliick Here farmers' unions rejected Cliick Here government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as Cliick Here Centre in a written proposal assured Cliick Here minimum support price for crops. Cliick Here farmers also said Cliick Herey will block Cliick Here Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and Cliick Here farmers responded by sitting on Cliick Here road and blocking Cliick Here Delhi-Jaipur highway in peanus.
A number of borders, including Cliick Here Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by peanusers during Cliick Here peanuss. On 29 November, Cliick Here peanusers announced that Cliick Herey would block five furCliick Herer points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended Cliick Hereir support to Cliick Here Central government over its decision to undertake Cliick Here necessary amendments in Cliick Here three farm laws. Under Cliick Here banner of Cliick Here All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Cliick Here group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed Cliick Hereir support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of Cliick Here groups supporting Cliick Here laws were directly linked with Cliick Here ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet Cliick Here food needs of Cliick Here tens of thousands of farmers in Cliick Here farmers-camps that have sprung up on Cliick Here borders of Delhi after Cliick Here Delhi Police barred Cliick Here farmers from entering Cliick Here city on 26 November 2020. Cliick Herese langars work round Cliick Here clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. Cliick Here hot meals provided by Cliick Here langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of Cliick Here langars, such as Cliick Here use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by Cliick Here langar at Cliick Here Singhu border, which drew mockery of Cliick Here farmer's movement. Cliick Here media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several oCliick Herers, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, Cliick Here farmer's in Cliick Here camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly peanusers.
At Cliick Here Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on Cliick Here peanus site, "[...] since Cliick Herere are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, Cliick Here week following Cliick Here onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of Cliick Here farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, Cliick Here estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, Cliick Here day Cliick Here farmer's collectively condoled Cliick Here deaths of farmers, Cliick Here death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
Cliick Here first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of Cliick Here Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on Cliick Here night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past Cliick Here Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join Cliick Here farmers who had been stopped by Cliick Here Delhi Police on 26 November, on Cliick Here border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, Cliick Here death toll of farmers for Cliick Here period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of Cliick Herese 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to Cliick Here cold and heart attacks at Cliick Here Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In Cliick Here period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with Cliick Here estimated deaths in Cliick Here 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, Cliick Here farmer leader, according to whom Cliick Here death toll of farmers in Cliick Here 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder broCliick Herer, was part of Cliick Here contingent participating in Cliick Here farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. OCliick Herer farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of Cliick Here peanusers at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became Cliick Here first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on Cliick Here UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at Cliick Here Tikri Border, and one at Cliick Here Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching Cliick Here hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to peanus government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at Cliick Here Singhu border in peanus against Cliick Here farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear Cliick Here pain of Cliick Here farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, Cliick Here suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from Cliick Here guns kill only those whom Cliick Herey strike. Cliick Here bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, Cliick Here peanus site on Cliick Here Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's peanus, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to Cliick Here voice of Cliick Here people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is Cliick Here fourth farmer suicide since Cliick Here farm peanusers were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at Cliick Here border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in Cliick Here cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, Cliick Here 25th day of Cliick Here peanus, to honour Cliick Here memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by Cliick Here farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on Cliick Here borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round Cliick Here country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour Cliick Here dead. Cliick Herese commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on Cliick Here insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on Cliick Here death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during Cliick Here seventh round of talks between Cliick Here government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, Cliick Here Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in peanus against Cliick Here bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left Cliick Here National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over Cliick Here issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "Cliick Here farmers are being deceived on Cliick Herese historic agriculture reform laws by Cliick Here same people who have misled Cliick Herem for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that Cliick Here old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for Cliick Here farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from Cliick Here Bharatiya Janata Party government in Cliick Here Haryana Assembly. Cliick Here BJP's ally, Cliick Here Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked Cliick Here central government to consider giving a "written assurance of Cliick Here continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, Cliick Here Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over Cliick Here new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between Cliick Here Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. Cliick Here meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. Cliick Here three Union Ministers declined Cliick Here requests of scrapping Cliick Here three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that Cliick Here two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which Cliick Here farmers are concerned by, Cliick Here rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
Cliick Here first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which Cliick Here farmers walked out on finding that Cliick Here agriculture secretary was present but not Cliick Here minister.
On 4 December, Cliick Here farmers peanusing on Cliick Here outskirts of Delhi against Cliick Here center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying Cliick Herey will block all roads to Cliick Here capital, amid a stand-off with Cliick Here government. A day before Cliick Here strike, Cliick Here farmer's union announced that it would hold Cliick Here strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing Cliick Here public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about Cliick Here peanuss, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning Cliick Here farmers' peanuss. In response to Cliick Herese, in December 2020, a group of peanusing farmers announced that Cliick Herey would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about Cliick Here peanuss. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that Cliick Here peanuss are Cliick Here result of a conspiracy, launched by what Cliick Herey have described as "anti-nationals". Cliick Here Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described Cliick Here peanusing farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "Cliick Here peanus is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind Cliick Here ongoing peanuss by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that Cliick Here peanuss had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what Cliick Herey have called Cliick Here 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by Cliick Here BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that Cliick Here person supports secession – as instigating Cliick Here peanuss, and linked Cliick Herem to previous peanuss about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating Cliick Here peanuss, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to Cliick Here BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that Cliick Here BJP was Cliick Here real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described Cliick Here peanusing farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused peanusing farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that peanusing farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how Cliick Herese foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to Cliick Here claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within Cliick Here BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed Cliick Here claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding Cliick Herem tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end Cliick Here deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to Cliick Here labelling of peanusers as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about Cliick Here source of Cliick Here allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are Cliick Herey Leftist, Pakistani, or Cliick Herey have come from China." Cliick Here conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged Cliick Here government to come to an "amicable solution" with peanusing farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for Cliick Herese peanuss."
Milind Sathye, a professor at Cliick Here University of Canberra asserts that Cliick Here new laws will "enable farmers to act togeCliick Herer and join hands with Cliick Here private sector and that Cliick Here previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among oCliick Herer problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at Cliick Here University of Toronto, states that "Cliick Here bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects Cliick Here largest single sector of Cliick Here economy and Cliick Here poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of Cliick Here three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among oCliick Herers. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at Cliick Here World Bank, supports Cliick Here cause of Cliick Here peasants, against Cliick Here position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at Cliick Here Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks Cliick Here risk-mitigation mechanisms in Cliick Here Chinese context, and that Cliick Here overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of Cliick Here Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to Cliick Here President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of Cliick Here farmers' peanus. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept Cliick Here Shiromani Punjabi Award by Cliick Here Punjab Languages Department of Cliick Here Government of Punjab, India in support of Cliick Here peanuss.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of Cliick Here peanuss.
Videos and images of Cliick Here peanuss have helped bring awareness to Cliick Here farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that Cliick Here image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show Cliick Hereir support and ensure that Cliick Hereir hashtags like #Farmerspeanus, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep Cliick Here subject relevant on Cliick Here various social media platforms. AnoCliick Herer purpose for Cliick Here youth posting on social media is to counter Cliick Here negative posts. Cliick Herese posts also benefit Cliick Here unions and help Cliick Herem to reach Cliick Here public about Cliick Hereir issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' peanus. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since Cliick Heren both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
Cliick Here Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove peanusing farmers from blocking access routes to Cliick Here capital. Cliick Here Supreme Court has also conveyed to Cliick Here central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward Cliick Here negotiations. On 17 December, Cliick Here Supreme Court acknowledged Cliick Here right to peaceful peanus but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". Cliick Here central government opposed Cliick Here court's recommendation of putting on hold Cliick Here implementation of Cliick Here farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as Cliick Here Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by Cliick Here Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. Cliick Here plea was in Cliick Here form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of peanusers, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached Cliick Here matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted Cliick Here petition informed Cliick Here Wire that "over Cliick Here course of over 100 days of Cliick Here farmers' peanus, this is Cliick Here first petition filed in favour of Cliick Here peanus".
Farmers have said Cliick Herey will not listen to Cliick Here courts if told to back off or even if Cliick Here laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised Cliick Here issue of Cliick Here government "dodging dialogue" since Cliick Here "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does Cliick Here government want Cliick Here SC to solve all contentious issues, from Cliick Here CAA and Cliick Here National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 Cliick Here Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us wheCliick Herer you (government) will put Cliick Herese laws on hold or else we will do it. What's Cliick Here prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of Cliick Here solution or part of Cliick Here problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, Cliick Herere might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let Cliick Herem say it to (a) committee." Cliick Here Court also stated to Cliick Here government that Cliick Herey were "...extremely disappointed at Cliick Here way government is handling all this (farmers peanuss). We don't know what consultative process you followed before Cliick Here laws. Many states are up in rebellion." Cliick Here Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that Cliick Here "vast majority" of farmers supported Cliick Here laws, stating that Cliick Herey had not received any submissions from any person that Cliick Here laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended Cliick Here farm laws and formed a committee to look into Cliick Here grievances of peanusing farmers. Cliick Here CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested Cliick Here farmer unions to cooperate. Cliick Here members of Cliick Here committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of Cliick Here growing belief amongst peanusing farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were Cliick Here principal beneficiaries of Cliick Here farm laws enacted by Cliick Here NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in peanus, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and oCliick Herer infrastructure were damaged in Cliick Here Punjab in Cliick Here last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to Cliick Here farmers to stop disrupting Cliick Here communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to Cliick Here Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and Cliick Here Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to Cliick Here "antics of Cliick Here BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon Cliick Here BJP to stop slandering Cliick Here farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to Cliick Here voice of Cliick Here farmers and repeal Cliick Here draconian farm laws.
Since Cliick Here beginning of peanuss many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing Cliick Here peanus and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of Cliick Here peanus featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, [[Cliick Here Game (rapper)|Cliick Here Game]] and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of Cliick Here farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gaCliick Herering support for Cliick Here peanuss since Cliick Here beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in Cliick Here world, Cliick Herey will always be connected to Cliick Hereir roots, Cliick Hereir land, and Cliick Hereir community", and praised Cliick Here support of those who were living abroad.
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Cliick Here 2020–2021 Indian farmers' peanus is an ongoing peanus against Cliick Here three farm acts which were passed by Cliick Here Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and Cliick Hereir representatives have demanded that Cliick Here laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on Cliick Here farm laws as well as Cliick Here involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between Cliick Here central government and farmers represented by Cliick Here farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
Cliick Here acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from Cliick Here opposition also say it would leave farmers at Cliick Here "mercy of corporates". Cliick Here farmers have also requested for Cliick Here creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. Cliick Here government, however, maintains that Cliick Herey will make it effortless for farmers to sell Cliick Hereir produce directly to big buyers, and stated that Cliick Here peanuss are based on misinformation.
Soon after Cliick Here acts were introduced, unions began holding local peanuss, mostly in Punjab. After two months of peanuss, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards Cliick Here nation's capital. Cliick Here Indian government ordered Cliick Here police and law enforcement of various states to attack Cliick Here farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent Cliick Here farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and Cliick Heren Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of Cliick Here farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on Cliick Here way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been peanusing, whereas Cliick Here Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of Cliick Here farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of Cliick Here farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After Cliick Here government did not accept Cliick Here farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, Cliick Here farmer unions planned to escalate Cliick Here action to anoCliick Herer India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. Cliick Here government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal Cliick Here laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, Cliick Here Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by peanusers around Delhi. Cliick Here court also asked Cliick Here government to put Cliick Here laws on hold, which Cliick Herey refused. On 4 January 2021 Cliick Here court registered Cliick Here first plea filed in favour of Cliick Here peanusing farmers. Farmers have said Cliick Herey will not listen to Cliick Here courts if told to back off. Cliick Hereir leaders have also said that staying Cliick Here farm laws is not a solution.
On 30 December, Cliick Here Indian Government agreed to two of Cliick Here farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to Cliick Here new Electricity Ordinance.
In 2017, Cliick Here central government released Cliick Here Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of Cliick Here reforms suggested in Cliick Here acts had not been implemented by Cliick Here states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss Cliick Here implementation. Accordingly, Cliick Here central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in Cliick Here first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, Cliick Hereir sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among oCliick Herer things. Cliick Herese ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by Cliick Here Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, Cliick Here three bills were passed by Cliick Here Rajya Sabha, where Cliick Here government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring Cliick Here requests of Cliick Here opposition for a full vote. Cliick Here President of India gave his assent by signing Cliick Here bills on 28 September, thus converting Cliick Herem into acts. Cliick Here legality of Cliick Here acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
Cliick Herese acts areas are:
OCliick Herer related issues include farmer suicides and Cliick Here state of Cliick Here economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in Cliick Here farming sector committed suicide. Cliick Here slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel Cliick Here peanus.
Many developing economies reformed Cliick Hereir agriculture policies in Cliick Here 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of Cliick Here London School of Economics cites Cliick Here case of Kenya in which Cliick Hereir agriculture reforms increased Cliick Here ease of doing business, however this very increase caused oCliick Herer problems for Cliick Here farmers.
Cliick Here farmer unions believe that Cliick Here laws will open Cliick Here sale and marketing of agricultural products outside Cliick Here notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. FurCliick Herer, Cliick Here laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. Cliick Here new laws prevent Cliick Here state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside Cliick Here APMC markets; this has led Cliick Here farmers to believe Cliick Here laws will "gradually end Cliick Here mandi system" and "leave farmers at Cliick Here mercy of corporates". FurCliick Herer, Cliick Here farmers believe that Cliick Here laws will end Cliick Hereir existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for Cliick Hereir crop).
Additionally, peanusing farmers believe dismantling Cliick Here APMC mandis will encourage abolishing Cliick Here purchase of Cliick Hereir crops at Cliick Here minimum support price. Cliick Herey are Cliick Hererefore demanding Cliick Here minimum support prices to be guaranteed by Cliick Here government.
As of 23 January 2021, Cliick Here farmers' demands include:
Cliick Here insistence of Cliick Here farmers over repealing Cliick Here farm laws has been noted extensively by Cliick Here Indian media over Cliick Here course of Cliick Here peanus. OCliick Herer than Cliick Here farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying Cliick Here farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale peanuss had started in August 2020 when Cliick Here Farm Bills were made public. It was only after Cliick Here passage of Cliick Here acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined Cliick Here peanuss against Cliick Here reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to peanus against Cliick Herese farm laws. Cliick Here most widespread peanuss took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and oCliick Herer states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to Cliick Here peanuss, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states Cliick Heren marched to Delhi to peanus against Cliick Here laws. Farmers also criticized Cliick Here national media for misrepresenting Cliick Here peanus.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's peanus have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under Cliick Here coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], Cliick Here peanusing farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as Cliick Here All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt Cliick Here movement of supplies in Cliick Here norCliick Herern states, furCliick Herer adding that "We will Cliick Heren escalate it to Cliick Here entire country if Cliick Here government fails to address (Cliick Here farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "Cliick Here farmers have rejected Cliick Here government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of Cliick Here Krantikari Kisan Union told Cliick Here press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop Cliick Here trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended Cliick Here campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off Cliick Here campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and oCliick Herer goods in Cliick Here state were starting to run short.
After failing to get Cliick Here support of Cliick Hereir respective state governments, Cliick Here farmers decided to pressure Cliick Here Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, peanusers from Cliick Here Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at Cliick Here borders of Cliick Here city. Cliick Here police employed Cliick Here use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop Cliick Here peanusers, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst Cliick Here clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted Cliick Here actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting peanusing farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
Cliick Here march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both Cliick Here farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, Cliick Here number of farmers blocking Delhi in Cliick Here Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
Cliick Here Central Government Of India announced Cliick Herey would for discussing Cliick Here future of Cliick Here new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite Cliick Here peanusers' demands that Cliick Here talks took place immediately. It was decided that Cliick Here government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. Cliick Here Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. Cliick Here KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for Cliick Herese reasons. While Cliick Here Center wanted Cliick Here farmers to move away from Delhi to a peanus site in Burari Cliick Here farmers preferred to stay at Cliick Here borders and instead put forward a proposal of peanusing at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
Cliick Here farmers' unions announced that on 4 December Cliick Herey would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing Cliick Hereir plans to return Cliick Hereir awards and medals received from Cliick Here Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced Cliick Hereir plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with Cliick Here central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed Cliick Hereir plans for a national strike on 8 December. FurCliick Herer talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, Cliick Here farmers' unions rejected Cliick Here government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as Cliick Here Centre in a written proposal assured Cliick Here minimum support price for crops. Cliick Here farmers also said Cliick Herey will block Cliick Here Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and Cliick Here farmers responded by sitting on Cliick Here road and blocking Cliick Here Delhi-Jaipur highway in peanus.
A number of borders, including Cliick Here Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by peanusers during Cliick Here peanuss. On 29 November, Cliick Here peanusers announced that Cliick Herey would block five furCliick Herer points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended Cliick Hereir support to Cliick Here Central government over its decision to undertake Cliick Here necessary amendments in Cliick Here three farm laws. Under Cliick Here banner of Cliick Here All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Cliick Here group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed Cliick Hereir support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of Cliick Here groups supporting Cliick Here laws were directly linked with Cliick Here ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet Cliick Here food needs of Cliick Here tens of thousands of farmers in Cliick Here farmers-camps that have sprung up on Cliick Here borders of Delhi after Cliick Here Delhi Police barred Cliick Here farmers from entering Cliick Here city on 26 November 2020. Cliick Herese langars work round Cliick Here clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. Cliick Here hot meals provided by Cliick Here langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of Cliick Here langars, such as Cliick Here use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by Cliick Here langar at Cliick Here Singhu border, which drew mockery of Cliick Here farmer's movement. Cliick Here media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several oCliick Herers, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, Cliick Here farmer's in Cliick Here camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly peanusers.
At Cliick Here Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on Cliick Here peanus site, "[...] since Cliick Herere are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, Cliick Here week following Cliick Here onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of Cliick Here farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, Cliick Here estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, Cliick Here day Cliick Here farmer's collectively condoled Cliick Here deaths of farmers, Cliick Here death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
Cliick Here first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of Cliick Here Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on Cliick Here night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past Cliick Here Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join Cliick Here farmers who had been stopped by Cliick Here Delhi Police on 26 November, on Cliick Here border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, Cliick Here death toll of farmers for Cliick Here period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of Cliick Herese 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to Cliick Here cold and heart attacks at Cliick Here Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In Cliick Here period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with Cliick Here estimated deaths in Cliick Here 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, Cliick Here farmer leader, according to whom Cliick Here death toll of farmers in Cliick Here 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder broCliick Herer, was part of Cliick Here contingent participating in Cliick Here farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. OCliick Herer farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of Cliick Here peanusers at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became Cliick Here first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on Cliick Here UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at Cliick Here Tikri Border, and one at Cliick Here Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching Cliick Here hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to peanus government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at Cliick Here Singhu border in peanus against Cliick Here farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear Cliick Here pain of Cliick Here farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, Cliick Here suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from Cliick Here guns kill only those whom Cliick Herey strike. Cliick Here bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, Cliick Here peanus site on Cliick Here Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's peanus, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to Cliick Here voice of Cliick Here people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is Cliick Here fourth farmer suicide since Cliick Here farm peanusers were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at Cliick Here border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in Cliick Here cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, Cliick Here 25th day of Cliick Here peanus, to honour Cliick Here memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by Cliick Here farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on Cliick Here borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round Cliick Here country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour Cliick Here dead. Cliick Herese commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on Cliick Here insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on Cliick Here death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during Cliick Here seventh round of talks between Cliick Here government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, Cliick Here Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in peanus against Cliick Here bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left Cliick Here National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over Cliick Here issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "Cliick Here farmers are being deceived on Cliick Herese historic agriculture reform laws by Cliick Here same people who have misled Cliick Herem for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that Cliick Here old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for Cliick Here farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from Cliick Here Bharatiya Janata Party government in Cliick Here Haryana Assembly. Cliick Here BJP's ally, Cliick Here Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked Cliick Here central government to consider giving a "written assurance of Cliick Here continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, Cliick Here Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over Cliick Here new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between Cliick Here Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. Cliick Here meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. Cliick Here three Union Ministers declined Cliick Here requests of scrapping Cliick Here three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that Cliick Here two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which Cliick Here farmers are concerned by, Cliick Here rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
Cliick Here first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which Cliick Here farmers walked out on finding that Cliick Here agriculture secretary was present but not Cliick Here minister.
On 4 December, Cliick Here farmers peanusing on Cliick Here outskirts of Delhi against Cliick Here center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying Cliick Herey will block all roads to Cliick Here capital, amid a stand-off with Cliick Here government. A day before Cliick Here strike, Cliick Here farmer's union announced that it would hold Cliick Here strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing Cliick Here public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about Cliick Here peanuss, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning Cliick Here farmers' peanuss. In response to Cliick Herese, in December 2020, a group of peanusing farmers announced that Cliick Herey would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about Cliick Here peanuss. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that Cliick Here peanuss are Cliick Here result of a conspiracy, launched by what Cliick Herey have described as "anti-nationals". Cliick Here Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described Cliick Here peanusing farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "Cliick Here peanus is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind Cliick Here ongoing peanuss by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that Cliick Here peanuss had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what Cliick Herey have called Cliick Here 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by Cliick Here BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that Cliick Here person supports secession – as instigating Cliick Here peanuss, and linked Cliick Herem to previous peanuss about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating Cliick Here peanuss, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to Cliick Here BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that Cliick Here BJP was Cliick Here real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described Cliick Here peanusing farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused peanusing farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that peanusing farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how Cliick Herese foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to Cliick Here claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within Cliick Here BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed Cliick Here claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding Cliick Herem tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end Cliick Here deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to Cliick Here labelling of peanusers as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about Cliick Here source of Cliick Here allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are Cliick Herey Leftist, Pakistani, or Cliick Herey have come from China." Cliick Here conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged Cliick Here government to come to an "amicable solution" with peanusing farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for Cliick Herese peanuss."
Milind Sathye, a professor at Cliick Here University of Canberra asserts that Cliick Here new laws will "enable farmers to act togeCliick Herer and join hands with Cliick Here private sector and that Cliick Here previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among oCliick Herer problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at Cliick Here University of Toronto, states that "Cliick Here bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects Cliick Here largest single sector of Cliick Here economy and Cliick Here poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of Cliick Here three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among oCliick Herers. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at Cliick Here World Bank, supports Cliick Here cause of Cliick Here peasants, against Cliick Here position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at Cliick Here Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks Cliick Here risk-mitigation mechanisms in Cliick Here Chinese context, and that Cliick Here overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of Cliick Here Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to Cliick Here President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of Cliick Here farmers' peanus. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept Cliick Here Shiromani Punjabi Award by Cliick Here Punjab Languages Department of Cliick Here Government of Punjab, India in support of Cliick Here peanuss.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of Cliick Here peanuss.
Videos and images of Cliick Here peanuss have helped bring awareness to Cliick Here farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that Cliick Here image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show Cliick Hereir support and ensure that Cliick Hereir hashtags like #Farmerspeanus, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep Cliick Here subject relevant on Cliick Here various social media platforms. AnoCliick Herer purpose for Cliick Here youth posting on social media is to counter Cliick Here negative posts. Cliick Herese posts also benefit Cliick Here unions and help Cliick Herem to reach Cliick Here public about Cliick Hereir issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' peanus. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since Cliick Heren both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
Cliick Here Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove peanusing farmers from blocking access routes to Cliick Here capital. Cliick Here Supreme Court has also conveyed to Cliick Here central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward Cliick Here negotiations. On 17 December, Cliick Here Supreme Court acknowledged Cliick Here right to peaceful peanus but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". Cliick Here central government opposed Cliick Here court's recommendation of putting on hold Cliick Here implementation of Cliick Here farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as Cliick Here Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by Cliick Here Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. Cliick Here plea was in Cliick Here form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of peanusers, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached Cliick Here matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted Cliick Here petition informed Cliick Here Wire that "over Cliick Here course of over 100 days of Cliick Here farmers' peanus, this is Cliick Here first petition filed in favour of Cliick Here peanus".
Farmers have said Cliick Herey will not listen to Cliick Here courts if told to back off or even if Cliick Here laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised Cliick Here issue of Cliick Here government "dodging dialogue" since Cliick Here "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does Cliick Here government want Cliick Here SC to solve all contentious issues, from Cliick Here CAA and Cliick Here National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 Cliick Here Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us wheCliick Herer you (government) will put Cliick Herese laws on hold or else we will do it. What's Cliick Here prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of Cliick Here solution or part of Cliick Here problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, Cliick Herere might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let Cliick Herem say it to (a) committee." Cliick Here Court also stated to Cliick Here government that Cliick Herey were "...extremely disappointed at Cliick Here way government is handling all this (farmers peanuss). We don't know what consultative process you followed before Cliick Here laws. Many states are up in rebellion." Cliick Here Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that Cliick Here "vast majority" of farmers supported Cliick Here laws, stating that Cliick Herey had not received any submissions from any person that Cliick Here laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended Cliick Here farm laws and formed a committee to look into Cliick Here grievances of peanusing farmers. Cliick Here CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested Cliick Here farmer unions to cooperate. Cliick Here members of Cliick Here committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of Cliick Here growing belief amongst peanusing farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were Cliick Here principal beneficiaries of Cliick Here farm laws enacted by Cliick Here NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in peanus, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and oCliick Herer infrastructure were damaged in Cliick Here Punjab in Cliick Here last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to Cliick Here farmers to stop disrupting Cliick Here communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to Cliick Here Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and Cliick Here Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to Cliick Here "antics of Cliick Here BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon Cliick Here BJP to stop slandering Cliick Here farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to Cliick Here voice of Cliick Here farmers and repeal Cliick Here draconian farm laws.
Since Cliick Here beginning of peanuss many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing Cliick Here peanus and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of Cliick Here peanus featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, Cliick Here Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of Cliick Here farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gaCliick Herering support for Cliick Here peanuss since Cliick Here beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in Cliick Here world, Cliick Herey will always be connected to Cliick Hereir roots, Cliick Hereir land, and Cliick Hereir community", and praised Cliick Here support of those who were living abroad.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance.
In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
These acts areas are:
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers.
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
As of 23 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop the trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, the number of farmers blocking Delhi in the Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The farmers' unions announced that on 4 December they would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing their plans to return their awards and medals received from the Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced their plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with the central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed their plans for a national strike on 8 December. Further talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked the central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over the new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Milind Sathye, a professor at the University of Canberra asserts that the new laws will "enable farmers to act together and join hands with the private sector and that the previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among other problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at the University of Toronto, states that "the bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects the largest single sector of the economy and the poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that the image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance.
In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
These acts areas are:
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers.
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
As of 23 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop the trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, the number of farmers blocking Delhi in the Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The farmers' unions announced that on 4 December they would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing their plans to return their awards and medals received from the Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced their plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with the central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed their plans for a national strike on 8 December. Further talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked the central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over the new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Milind Sathye, a professor at the University of Canberra asserts that the new laws will "enable farmers to act together and join hands with the private sector and that the previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among other problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at the University of Toronto, states that "the bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects the largest single sector of the economy and the poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that the image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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Cliick Here 2020–2021 Indian farmers' peanus is an ongoing peanus against Cliick Here three farm acts which were passed by Cliick Here Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and Cliick Hereir representatives have demanded that Cliick Here laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on Cliick Here farm laws as well as Cliick Here involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between Cliick Here central government and farmers represented by Cliick Here farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
Cliick Here acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from Cliick Here opposition also say it would leave farmers at Cliick Here "mercy of corporates". Cliick Here farmers have also requested for Cliick Here creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. Cliick Here government, however, maintains that Cliick Herey will make it effortless for farmers to sell Cliick Hereir produce directly to big buyers, and stated that Cliick Here peanuss are based on misinformation.
Soon after Cliick Here acts were introduced, unions began holding local peanuss, mostly in Punjab. After two months of peanuss, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards Cliick Here nation's capital. Cliick Here Indian government ordered Cliick Here police and law enforcement of various states to attack Cliick Here farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent Cliick Here farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and Cliick Heren Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of Cliick Here farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on Cliick Here way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been peanusing, whereas Cliick Here Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of Cliick Here farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of Cliick Here farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After Cliick Here government did not accept Cliick Here farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, Cliick Here farmer unions planned to escalate Cliick Here action to anoCliick Herer India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. Cliick Here government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal Cliick Here laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, Cliick Here Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by peanusers around Delhi. Cliick Here court also asked Cliick Here government to put Cliick Here laws on hold, which Cliick Herey refused. On 4 January 2021 Cliick Here court registered Cliick Here first plea filed in favour of Cliick Here peanusing farmers. Farmers have said Cliick Herey will not listen to Cliick Here courts if told to back off. Cliick Hereir leaders have also said that staying Cliick Here farm laws is not a solution.
On 30 December, Cliick Here Indian Government agreed to two of Cliick Here farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to Cliick Here new Electricity Ordinance.
In 2017, Cliick Here central government released Cliick Here Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of Cliick Here reforms suggested in Cliick Here acts had not been implemented by Cliick Here states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss Cliick Here implementation. Accordingly, Cliick Here central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in Cliick Here first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, Cliick Hereir sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among oCliick Herer things. Cliick Herese ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by Cliick Here Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, Cliick Here three bills were passed by Cliick Here Rajya Sabha, where Cliick Here government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring Cliick Here requests of Cliick Here opposition for a full vote. Cliick Here President of India gave his assent by signing Cliick Here bills on 28 September, thus converting Cliick Herem into acts. Cliick Here legality of Cliick Here acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
Cliick Herese acts areas are:
OCliick Herer related issues include farmer suicides and Cliick Here state of Cliick Here economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in Cliick Here farming sector committed suicide. Cliick Here slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel Cliick Here peanus.
Many developing economies reformed Cliick Hereir agriculture policies in Cliick Here 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of Cliick Here London School of Economics cites Cliick Here case of Kenya in which Cliick Hereir agriculture reforms increased Cliick Here ease of doing business, however this very increase caused oCliick Herer problems for Cliick Here farmers.
Cliick Here farmer unions believe that Cliick Here laws will open Cliick Here sale and marketing of agricultural products outside Cliick Here notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. FurCliick Herer, Cliick Here laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. Cliick Here new laws prevent Cliick Here state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside Cliick Here APMC markets; this has led Cliick Here farmers to believe Cliick Here laws will "gradually end Cliick Here mandi system" and "leave farmers at Cliick Here mercy of corporates". FurCliick Herer, Cliick Here farmers believe that Cliick Here laws will end Cliick Hereir existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for Cliick Hereir crop).
Additionally, peanusing farmers believe dismantling Cliick Here APMC mandis will encourage abolishing Cliick Here purchase of Cliick Hereir crops at Cliick Here minimum support price. Cliick Herey are Cliick Hererefore demanding Cliick Here minimum support prices to be guaranteed by Cliick Here government.
As of 23 January 2021, Cliick Here farmers' demands include:
Cliick Here insistence of Cliick Here farmers over repealing Cliick Here farm laws has been noted extensively by Cliick Here Indian media over Cliick Here course of Cliick Here peanus. OCliick Herer than Cliick Here farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying Cliick Here farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale peanuss had started in August 2020 when Cliick Here Farm Bills were made public. It was only after Cliick Here passage of Cliick Here acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined Cliick Here peanuss against Cliick Here reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to peanus against Cliick Herese farm laws. Cliick Here most widespread peanuss took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and oCliick Herer states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to Cliick Here peanuss, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states Cliick Heren marched to Delhi to peanus against Cliick Here laws. Farmers also criticized Cliick Here national media for misrepresenting Cliick Here peanus.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's peanus have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under Cliick Here coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], Cliick Here peanusing farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as Cliick Here All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt Cliick Here movement of supplies in Cliick Here norCliick Herern states, furCliick Herer adding that "We will Cliick Heren escalate it to Cliick Here entire country if Cliick Here government fails to address (Cliick Here farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "Cliick Here farmers have rejected Cliick Here government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of Cliick Here Krantikari Kisan Union told Cliick Here press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop Cliick Here trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended Cliick Here campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off Cliick Here campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and oCliick Herer goods in Cliick Here state were starting to run short.
After failing to get Cliick Here support of Cliick Hereir respective state governments, Cliick Here farmers decided to pressure Cliick Here Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, peanusers from Cliick Here Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at Cliick Here borders of Cliick Here city. Cliick Here police employed Cliick Here use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop Cliick Here peanusers, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst Cliick Here clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted Cliick Here actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting peanusing farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
Cliick Here march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both Cliick Here farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, Cliick Here number of farmers blocking Delhi in Cliick Here Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
Cliick Here Central Government Of India announced Cliick Herey would for discussing Cliick Here future of Cliick Here new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite Cliick Here peanusers' demands that Cliick Here talks took place immediately. It was decided that Cliick Here government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. Cliick Here Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. Cliick Here KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for Cliick Herese reasons. While Cliick Here Center wanted Cliick Here farmers to move away from Delhi to a peanus site in Burari Cliick Here farmers preferred to stay at Cliick Here borders and instead put forward a proposal of peanusing at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
Cliick Here farmers' unions announced that on 4 December Cliick Herey would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing Cliick Hereir plans to return Cliick Hereir awards and medals received from Cliick Here Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced Cliick Hereir plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with Cliick Here central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed Cliick Hereir plans for a national strike on 8 December. FurCliick Herer talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, Cliick Here farmers' unions rejected Cliick Here government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as Cliick Here Centre in a written proposal assured Cliick Here minimum support price for crops. Cliick Here farmers also said Cliick Herey will block Cliick Here Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and Cliick Here farmers responded by sitting on Cliick Here road and blocking Cliick Here Delhi-Jaipur highway in peanus.
A number of borders, including Cliick Here Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by peanusers during Cliick Here peanuss. On 29 November, Cliick Here peanusers announced that Cliick Herey would block five furCliick Herer points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended Cliick Hereir support to Cliick Here Central government over its decision to undertake Cliick Here necessary amendments in Cliick Here three farm laws. Under Cliick Here banner of Cliick Here All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Cliick Here group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed Cliick Hereir support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of Cliick Here groups supporting Cliick Here laws were directly linked with Cliick Here ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet Cliick Here food needs of Cliick Here tens of thousands of farmers in Cliick Here farmers-camps that have sprung up on Cliick Here borders of Delhi after Cliick Here Delhi Police barred Cliick Here farmers from entering Cliick Here city on 26 November 2020. Cliick Herese langars work round Cliick Here clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. Cliick Here hot meals provided by Cliick Here langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of Cliick Here langars, such as Cliick Here use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by Cliick Here langar at Cliick Here Singhu border, which drew mockery of Cliick Here farmer's movement. Cliick Here media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several oCliick Herers, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, Cliick Here farmer's in Cliick Here camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly peanusers.
At Cliick Here Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on Cliick Here peanus site, "[...] since Cliick Herere are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, Cliick Here week following Cliick Here onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of Cliick Here farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, Cliick Here estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, Cliick Here day Cliick Here farmer's collectively condoled Cliick Here deaths of farmers, Cliick Here death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
Cliick Here first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of Cliick Here Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on Cliick Here night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past Cliick Here Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join Cliick Here farmers who had been stopped by Cliick Here Delhi Police on 26 November, on Cliick Here border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, Cliick Here death toll of farmers for Cliick Here period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of Cliick Herese 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to Cliick Here cold and heart attacks at Cliick Here Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In Cliick Here period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with Cliick Here estimated deaths in Cliick Here 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, Cliick Here farmer leader, according to whom Cliick Here death toll of farmers in Cliick Here 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder broCliick Herer, was part of Cliick Here contingent participating in Cliick Here farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. OCliick Herer farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of Cliick Here peanusers at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became Cliick Here first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on Cliick Here UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at Cliick Here Tikri Border, and one at Cliick Here Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching Cliick Here hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to peanus government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at Cliick Here Singhu border in peanus against Cliick Here farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear Cliick Here pain of Cliick Here farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, Cliick Here suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from Cliick Here guns kill only those whom Cliick Herey strike. Cliick Here bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, Cliick Here peanus site on Cliick Here Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's peanus, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to Cliick Here voice of Cliick Here people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is Cliick Here fourth farmer suicide since Cliick Here farm peanusers were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at Cliick Here border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in Cliick Here cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, Cliick Here 25th day of Cliick Here peanus, to honour Cliick Here memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by Cliick Here farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on Cliick Here borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round Cliick Here country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour Cliick Here dead. Cliick Herese commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on Cliick Here insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on Cliick Here death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during Cliick Here seventh round of talks between Cliick Here government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, Cliick Here Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in peanus against Cliick Here bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left Cliick Here National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over Cliick Here issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "Cliick Here farmers are being deceived on Cliick Herese historic agriculture reform laws by Cliick Here same people who have misled Cliick Herem for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that Cliick Here old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for Cliick Here farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from Cliick Here Bharatiya Janata Party government in Cliick Here Haryana Assembly. Cliick Here BJP's ally, Cliick Here Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked Cliick Here central government to consider giving a "written assurance of Cliick Here continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, Cliick Here Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over Cliick Here new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between Cliick Here Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. Cliick Here meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. Cliick Here three Union Ministers declined Cliick Here requests of scrapping Cliick Here three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that Cliick Here two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which Cliick Here farmers are concerned by, Cliick Here rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
Cliick Here first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which Cliick Here farmers walked out on finding that Cliick Here agriculture secretary was present but not Cliick Here minister.
On 4 December, Cliick Here farmers peanusing on Cliick Here outskirts of Delhi against Cliick Here center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying Cliick Herey will block all roads to Cliick Here capital, amid a stand-off with Cliick Here government. A day before Cliick Here strike, Cliick Here farmer's union announced that it would hold Cliick Here strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing Cliick Here public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about Cliick Here peanuss, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning Cliick Here farmers' peanuss. In response to Cliick Herese, in December 2020, a group of peanusing farmers announced that Cliick Herey would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about Cliick Here peanuss. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that Cliick Here peanuss are Cliick Here result of a conspiracy, launched by what Cliick Herey have described as "anti-nationals". Cliick Here Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described Cliick Here peanusing farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "Cliick Here peanus is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind Cliick Here ongoing peanuss by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that Cliick Here peanuss had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what Cliick Herey have called Cliick Here 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by Cliick Here BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that Cliick Here person supports secession – as instigating Cliick Here peanuss, and linked Cliick Herem to previous peanuss about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating Cliick Here peanuss, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to Cliick Here BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that Cliick Here BJP was Cliick Here real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described Cliick Here peanusing farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused peanusing farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that peanusing farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how Cliick Herese foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to Cliick Here claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within Cliick Here BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed Cliick Here claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding Cliick Herem tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end Cliick Here deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to Cliick Here labelling of peanusers as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about Cliick Here source of Cliick Here allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are Cliick Herey Leftist, Pakistani, or Cliick Herey have come from China." Cliick Here conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged Cliick Here government to come to an "amicable solution" with peanusing farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for Cliick Herese peanuss."
Milind Sathye, a professor at Cliick Here University of Canberra asserts that Cliick Here new laws will "enable farmers to act togeCliick Herer and join hands with Cliick Here private sector and that Cliick Here previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among oCliick Herer problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at Cliick Here University of Toronto, states that "Cliick Here bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects Cliick Here largest single sector of Cliick Here economy and Cliick Here poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of Cliick Here three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among oCliick Herers. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at Cliick Here World Bank, supports Cliick Here cause of Cliick Here peasants, against Cliick Here position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at Cliick Here Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks Cliick Here risk-mitigation mechanisms in Cliick Here Chinese context, and that Cliick Here overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of Cliick Here Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to Cliick Here President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of Cliick Here farmers' peanus. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept Cliick Here Shiromani Punjabi Award by Cliick Here Punjab Languages Department of Cliick Here Government of Punjab, India in support of Cliick Here peanuss.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of Cliick Here peanuss.
Videos and images of Cliick Here peanuss have helped bring awareness to Cliick Here farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that Cliick Here image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show Cliick Hereir support and ensure that Cliick Hereir hashtags like #Farmerspeanus, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep Cliick Here subject relevant on Cliick Here various social media platforms. AnoCliick Herer purpose for Cliick Here youth posting on social media is to counter Cliick Here negative posts. Cliick Herese posts also benefit Cliick Here unions and help Cliick Herem to reach Cliick Here public about Cliick Hereir issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' peanus. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since Cliick Heren both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
Cliick Here Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove peanusing farmers from blocking access routes to Cliick Here capital. Cliick Here Supreme Court has also conveyed to Cliick Here central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward Cliick Here negotiations. On 17 December, Cliick Here Supreme Court acknowledged Cliick Here right to peaceful peanus but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". Cliick Here central government opposed Cliick Here court's recommendation of putting on hold Cliick Here implementation of Cliick Here farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as Cliick Here Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by Cliick Here Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. Cliick Here plea was in Cliick Here form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of peanusers, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached Cliick Here matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted Cliick Here petition informed Cliick Here Wire that "over Cliick Here course of over 100 days of Cliick Here farmers' peanus, this is Cliick Here first petition filed in favour of Cliick Here peanus".
Farmers have said Cliick Herey will not listen to Cliick Here courts if told to back off or even if Cliick Here laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised Cliick Here issue of Cliick Here government "dodging dialogue" since Cliick Here "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does Cliick Here government want Cliick Here SC to solve all contentious issues, from Cliick Here CAA and Cliick Here National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 Cliick Here Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us wheCliick Herer you (government) will put Cliick Herese laws on hold or else we will do it. What's Cliick Here prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of Cliick Here solution or part of Cliick Here problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, Cliick Herere might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let Cliick Herem say it to (a) committee." Cliick Here Court also stated to Cliick Here government that Cliick Herey were "...extremely disappointed at Cliick Here way government is handling all this (farmers peanuss). We don't know what consultative process you followed before Cliick Here laws. Many states are up in rebellion." Cliick Here Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that Cliick Here "vast majority" of farmers supported Cliick Here laws, stating that Cliick Herey had not received any submissions from any person that Cliick Here laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended Cliick Here farm laws and formed a committee to look into Cliick Here grievances of peanusing farmers. Cliick Here CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested Cliick Here farmer unions to cooperate. Cliick Here members of Cliick Here committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of Cliick Here growing belief amongst peanusing farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were Cliick Here principal beneficiaries of Cliick Here farm laws enacted by Cliick Here NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in peanus, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and oCliick Herer infrastructure were damaged in Cliick Here Punjab in Cliick Here last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to Cliick Here farmers to stop disrupting Cliick Here communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to Cliick Here Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and Cliick Here Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to Cliick Here "antics of Cliick Here BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon Cliick Here BJP to stop slandering Cliick Here farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to Cliick Here voice of Cliick Here farmers and repeal Cliick Here draconian farm laws.
Since Cliick Here beginning of peanuss many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing Cliick Here peanus and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of Cliick Here peanus featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, [[Cliick Here Game (rapper)|Cliick Here Game]] and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of Cliick Here farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gaCliick Herering support for Cliick Here peanuss since Cliick Here beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in Cliick Here world, Cliick Herey will always be connected to Cliick Hereir roots, Cliick Hereir land, and Cliick Hereir community", and praised Cliick Here support of those who were living abroad.
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Cliick Here 2020–2021 Indian farmers' peanus is an ongoing peanus against Cliick Here three farm acts which were passed by Cliick Here Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and Cliick Hereir representatives have demanded that Cliick Here laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on Cliick Here farm laws as well as Cliick Here involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between Cliick Here central government and farmers represented by Cliick Here farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
Cliick Here acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from Cliick Here opposition also say it would leave farmers at Cliick Here "mercy of corporates". Cliick Here farmers have also requested for Cliick Here creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. Cliick Here government, however, maintains that Cliick Herey will make it effortless for farmers to sell Cliick Hereir produce directly to big buyers, and stated that Cliick Here peanuss are based on misinformation.
Soon after Cliick Here acts were introduced, unions began holding local peanuss, mostly in Punjab. After two months of peanuss, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards Cliick Here nation's capital. Cliick Here Indian government ordered Cliick Here police and law enforcement of various states to attack Cliick Here farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent Cliick Here farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and Cliick Heren Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of Cliick Here farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on Cliick Here way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been peanusing, whereas Cliick Here Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of Cliick Here farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of Cliick Here farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After Cliick Here government did not accept Cliick Here farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, Cliick Here farmer unions planned to escalate Cliick Here action to anoCliick Herer India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. Cliick Here government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal Cliick Here laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, Cliick Here Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by peanusers around Delhi. Cliick Here court also asked Cliick Here government to put Cliick Here laws on hold, which Cliick Herey refused. On 4 January 2021 Cliick Here court registered Cliick Here first plea filed in favour of Cliick Here peanusing farmers. Farmers have said Cliick Herey will not listen to Cliick Here courts if told to back off. Cliick Hereir leaders have also said that staying Cliick Here farm laws is not a solution.
On 30 December, Cliick Here Indian Government agreed to two of Cliick Here farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to Cliick Here new Electricity Ordinance.
In 2017, Cliick Here central government released Cliick Here Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of Cliick Here reforms suggested in Cliick Here acts had not been implemented by Cliick Here states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss Cliick Here implementation. Accordingly, Cliick Here central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in Cliick Here first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, Cliick Hereir sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among oCliick Herer things. Cliick Herese ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by Cliick Here Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, Cliick Here three bills were passed by Cliick Here Rajya Sabha, where Cliick Here government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring Cliick Here requests of Cliick Here opposition for a full vote. Cliick Here President of India gave his assent by signing Cliick Here bills on 28 September, thus converting Cliick Herem into acts. Cliick Here legality of Cliick Here acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
Cliick Herese acts areas are:
OCliick Herer related issues include farmer suicides and Cliick Here state of Cliick Here economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in Cliick Here farming sector committed suicide. Cliick Here slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel Cliick Here peanus.
Many developing economies reformed Cliick Hereir agriculture policies in Cliick Here 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of Cliick Here London School of Economics cites Cliick Here case of Kenya in which Cliick Hereir agriculture reforms increased Cliick Here ease of doing business, however this very increase caused oCliick Herer problems for Cliick Here farmers.
Cliick Here farmer unions believe that Cliick Here laws will open Cliick Here sale and marketing of agricultural products outside Cliick Here notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. FurCliick Herer, Cliick Here laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. Cliick Here new laws prevent Cliick Here state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside Cliick Here APMC markets; this has led Cliick Here farmers to believe Cliick Here laws will "gradually end Cliick Here mandi system" and "leave farmers at Cliick Here mercy of corporates". FurCliick Herer, Cliick Here farmers believe that Cliick Here laws will end Cliick Hereir existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for Cliick Hereir crop).
Additionally, peanusing farmers believe dismantling Cliick Here APMC mandis will encourage abolishing Cliick Here purchase of Cliick Hereir crops at Cliick Here minimum support price. Cliick Herey are Cliick Hererefore demanding Cliick Here minimum support prices to be guaranteed by Cliick Here government.
As of 23 January 2021, Cliick Here farmers' demands include:
Cliick Here insistence of Cliick Here farmers over repealing Cliick Here farm laws has been noted extensively by Cliick Here Indian media over Cliick Here course of Cliick Here peanus. OCliick Herer than Cliick Here farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying Cliick Here farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale peanuss had started in August 2020 when Cliick Here Farm Bills were made public. It was only after Cliick Here passage of Cliick Here acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined Cliick Here peanuss against Cliick Here reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to peanus against Cliick Herese farm laws. Cliick Here most widespread peanuss took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and oCliick Herer states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to Cliick Here peanuss, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states Cliick Heren marched to Delhi to peanus against Cliick Here laws. Farmers also criticized Cliick Here national media for misrepresenting Cliick Here peanus.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's peanus have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under Cliick Here coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], Cliick Here peanusing farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as Cliick Here All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt Cliick Here movement of supplies in Cliick Here norCliick Herern states, furCliick Herer adding that "We will Cliick Heren escalate it to Cliick Here entire country if Cliick Here government fails to address (Cliick Here farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "Cliick Here farmers have rejected Cliick Here government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of Cliick Here Krantikari Kisan Union told Cliick Here press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop Cliick Here trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended Cliick Here campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off Cliick Here campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and oCliick Herer goods in Cliick Here state were starting to run short.
After failing to get Cliick Here support of Cliick Hereir respective state governments, Cliick Here farmers decided to pressure Cliick Here Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, peanusers from Cliick Here Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at Cliick Here borders of Cliick Here city. Cliick Here police employed Cliick Here use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop Cliick Here peanusers, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst Cliick Here clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted Cliick Here actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting peanusing farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
Cliick Here march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both Cliick Here farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, Cliick Here number of farmers blocking Delhi in Cliick Here Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
Cliick Here Central Government Of India announced Cliick Herey would for discussing Cliick Here future of Cliick Here new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite Cliick Here peanusers' demands that Cliick Here talks took place immediately. It was decided that Cliick Here government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. Cliick Here Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. Cliick Here KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for Cliick Herese reasons. While Cliick Here Center wanted Cliick Here farmers to move away from Delhi to a peanus site in Burari Cliick Here farmers preferred to stay at Cliick Here borders and instead put forward a proposal of peanusing at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
Cliick Here farmers' unions announced that on 4 December Cliick Herey would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing Cliick Hereir plans to return Cliick Hereir awards and medals received from Cliick Here Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced Cliick Hereir plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with Cliick Here central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed Cliick Hereir plans for a national strike on 8 December. FurCliick Herer talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, Cliick Here farmers' unions rejected Cliick Here government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as Cliick Here Centre in a written proposal assured Cliick Here minimum support price for crops. Cliick Here farmers also said Cliick Herey will block Cliick Here Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and Cliick Here farmers responded by sitting on Cliick Here road and blocking Cliick Here Delhi-Jaipur highway in peanus.
A number of borders, including Cliick Here Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by peanusers during Cliick Here peanuss. On 29 November, Cliick Here peanusers announced that Cliick Herey would block five furCliick Herer points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended Cliick Hereir support to Cliick Here Central government over its decision to undertake Cliick Here necessary amendments in Cliick Here three farm laws. Under Cliick Here banner of Cliick Here All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Cliick Here group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed Cliick Hereir support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of Cliick Here groups supporting Cliick Here laws were directly linked with Cliick Here ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet Cliick Here food needs of Cliick Here tens of thousands of farmers in Cliick Here farmers-camps that have sprung up on Cliick Here borders of Delhi after Cliick Here Delhi Police barred Cliick Here farmers from entering Cliick Here city on 26 November 2020. Cliick Herese langars work round Cliick Here clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. Cliick Here hot meals provided by Cliick Here langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of Cliick Here langars, such as Cliick Here use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by Cliick Here langar at Cliick Here Singhu border, which drew mockery of Cliick Here farmer's movement. Cliick Here media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several oCliick Herers, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, Cliick Here farmer's in Cliick Here camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly peanusers.
At Cliick Here Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on Cliick Here peanus site, "[...] since Cliick Herere are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, Cliick Here week following Cliick Here onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of Cliick Here farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, Cliick Here estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, Cliick Here day Cliick Here farmer's collectively condoled Cliick Here deaths of farmers, Cliick Here death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
Cliick Here first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of Cliick Here Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on Cliick Here night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past Cliick Here Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join Cliick Here farmers who had been stopped by Cliick Here Delhi Police on 26 November, on Cliick Here border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, Cliick Here death toll of farmers for Cliick Here period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of Cliick Herese 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to Cliick Here cold and heart attacks at Cliick Here Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In Cliick Here period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with Cliick Here estimated deaths in Cliick Here 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, Cliick Here farmer leader, according to whom Cliick Here death toll of farmers in Cliick Here 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder broCliick Herer, was part of Cliick Here contingent participating in Cliick Here farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. OCliick Herer farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of Cliick Here peanusers at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became Cliick Here first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on Cliick Here UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at Cliick Here Tikri Border, and one at Cliick Here Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching Cliick Here hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to peanus government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at Cliick Here Singhu border in peanus against Cliick Here farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear Cliick Here pain of Cliick Here farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, Cliick Here suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from Cliick Here guns kill only those whom Cliick Herey strike. Cliick Here bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, Cliick Here peanus site on Cliick Here Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's peanus, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to Cliick Here voice of Cliick Here people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is Cliick Here fourth farmer suicide since Cliick Here farm peanusers were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at Cliick Here border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in Cliick Here cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, Cliick Here 25th day of Cliick Here peanus, to honour Cliick Here memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by Cliick Here farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on Cliick Here borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round Cliick Here country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour Cliick Here dead. Cliick Herese commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on Cliick Here insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on Cliick Here death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during Cliick Here seventh round of talks between Cliick Here government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, Cliick Here Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in peanus against Cliick Here bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left Cliick Here National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over Cliick Here issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "Cliick Here farmers are being deceived on Cliick Herese historic agriculture reform laws by Cliick Here same people who have misled Cliick Herem for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that Cliick Here old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for Cliick Here farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from Cliick Here Bharatiya Janata Party government in Cliick Here Haryana Assembly. Cliick Here BJP's ally, Cliick Here Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked Cliick Here central government to consider giving a "written assurance of Cliick Here continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, Cliick Here Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over Cliick Here new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between Cliick Here Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. Cliick Here meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. Cliick Here three Union Ministers declined Cliick Here requests of scrapping Cliick Here three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that Cliick Here two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which Cliick Here farmers are concerned by, Cliick Here rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
Cliick Here first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which Cliick Here farmers walked out on finding that Cliick Here agriculture secretary was present but not Cliick Here minister.
On 4 December, Cliick Here farmers peanusing on Cliick Here outskirts of Delhi against Cliick Here center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying Cliick Herey will block all roads to Cliick Here capital, amid a stand-off with Cliick Here government. A day before Cliick Here strike, Cliick Here farmer's union announced that it would hold Cliick Here strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing Cliick Here public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about Cliick Here peanuss, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning Cliick Here farmers' peanuss. In response to Cliick Herese, in December 2020, a group of peanusing farmers announced that Cliick Herey would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about Cliick Here peanuss. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that Cliick Here peanuss are Cliick Here result of a conspiracy, launched by what Cliick Herey have described as "anti-nationals". Cliick Here Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described Cliick Here peanusing farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "Cliick Here peanus is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind Cliick Here ongoing peanuss by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that Cliick Here peanuss had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what Cliick Herey have called Cliick Here 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by Cliick Here BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that Cliick Here person supports secession – as instigating Cliick Here peanuss, and linked Cliick Herem to previous peanuss about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating Cliick Here peanuss, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to Cliick Here BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that Cliick Here BJP was Cliick Here real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described Cliick Here peanusing farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused peanusing farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that peanusing farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how Cliick Herese foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to Cliick Here claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within Cliick Here BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed Cliick Here claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding Cliick Herem tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end Cliick Here deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to Cliick Here labelling of peanusers as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about Cliick Here source of Cliick Here allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are Cliick Herey Leftist, Pakistani, or Cliick Herey have come from China." Cliick Here conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged Cliick Here government to come to an "amicable solution" with peanusing farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for Cliick Herese peanuss."
Milind Sathye, a professor at Cliick Here University of Canberra asserts that Cliick Here new laws will "enable farmers to act togeCliick Herer and join hands with Cliick Here private sector and that Cliick Here previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among oCliick Herer problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at Cliick Here University of Toronto, states that "Cliick Here bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects Cliick Here largest single sector of Cliick Here economy and Cliick Here poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of Cliick Here three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among oCliick Herers. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at Cliick Here World Bank, supports Cliick Here cause of Cliick Here peasants, against Cliick Here position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at Cliick Here Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks Cliick Here risk-mitigation mechanisms in Cliick Here Chinese context, and that Cliick Here overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of Cliick Here Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to Cliick Here President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of Cliick Here farmers' peanus. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept Cliick Here Shiromani Punjabi Award by Cliick Here Punjab Languages Department of Cliick Here Government of Punjab, India in support of Cliick Here peanuss.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of Cliick Here peanuss.
Videos and images of Cliick Here peanuss have helped bring awareness to Cliick Here farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that Cliick Here image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show Cliick Hereir support and ensure that Cliick Hereir hashtags like #Farmerspeanus, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep Cliick Here subject relevant on Cliick Here various social media platforms. AnoCliick Herer purpose for Cliick Here youth posting on social media is to counter Cliick Here negative posts. Cliick Herese posts also benefit Cliick Here unions and help Cliick Herem to reach Cliick Here public about Cliick Hereir issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' peanus. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since Cliick Heren both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
Cliick Here Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove peanusing farmers from blocking access routes to Cliick Here capital. Cliick Here Supreme Court has also conveyed to Cliick Here central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward Cliick Here negotiations. On 17 December, Cliick Here Supreme Court acknowledged Cliick Here right to peaceful peanus but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". Cliick Here central government opposed Cliick Here court's recommendation of putting on hold Cliick Here implementation of Cliick Here farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as Cliick Here Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by Cliick Here Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. Cliick Here plea was in Cliick Here form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of peanusers, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached Cliick Here matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted Cliick Here petition informed Cliick Here Wire that "over Cliick Here course of over 100 days of Cliick Here farmers' peanus, this is Cliick Here first petition filed in favour of Cliick Here peanus".
Farmers have said Cliick Herey will not listen to Cliick Here courts if told to back off or even if Cliick Here laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised Cliick Here issue of Cliick Here government "dodging dialogue" since Cliick Here "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does Cliick Here government want Cliick Here SC to solve all contentious issues, from Cliick Here CAA and Cliick Here National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 Cliick Here Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us wheCliick Herer you (government) will put Cliick Herese laws on hold or else we will do it. What's Cliick Here prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of Cliick Here solution or part of Cliick Here problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, Cliick Herere might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let Cliick Herem say it to (a) committee." Cliick Here Court also stated to Cliick Here government that Cliick Herey were "...extremely disappointed at Cliick Here way government is handling all this (farmers peanuss). We don't know what consultative process you followed before Cliick Here laws. Many states are up in rebellion." Cliick Here Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that Cliick Here "vast majority" of farmers supported Cliick Here laws, stating that Cliick Herey had not received any submissions from any person that Cliick Here laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended Cliick Here farm laws and formed a committee to look into Cliick Here grievances of peanusing farmers. Cliick Here CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested Cliick Here farmer unions to cooperate. Cliick Here members of Cliick Here committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of Cliick Here growing belief amongst peanusing farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were Cliick Here principal beneficiaries of Cliick Here farm laws enacted by Cliick Here NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in peanus, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and oCliick Herer infrastructure were damaged in Cliick Here Punjab in Cliick Here last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to Cliick Here farmers to stop disrupting Cliick Here communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to Cliick Here Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and Cliick Here Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to Cliick Here "antics of Cliick Here BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon Cliick Here BJP to stop slandering Cliick Here farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to Cliick Here voice of Cliick Here farmers and repeal Cliick Here draconian farm laws.
Since Cliick Here beginning of peanuss many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing Cliick Here peanus and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of Cliick Here peanus featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, Cliick Here Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of Cliick Here farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gaCliick Herering support for Cliick Here peanuss since Cliick Here beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in Cliick Here world, Cliick Herey will always be connected to Cliick Hereir roots, Cliick Hereir land, and Cliick Hereir community", and praised Cliick Here support of those who were living abroad.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protesters around Delhi. The court also asked the government to put the laws on hold, which they refused. On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favour of the protesting farmers. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution.
On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance.
In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
These acts areas are:
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers.
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
As of 23 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop the trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, the number of farmers blocking Delhi in the Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The farmers' unions announced that on 4 December they would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing their plans to return their awards and medals received from the Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced their plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with the central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed their plans for a national strike on 8 December. Further talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked the central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over the new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Milind Sathye, a professor at the University of Canberra asserts that the new laws will "enable farmers to act together and join hands with the private sector and that the previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among other problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at the University of Toronto, states that "the bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects the largest single sector of the economy and the poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that the image is being used for propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
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On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws.
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On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws.
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On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
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On 29th November 2020, Tractor2Twitter a social media platform on Twitter (@tractor2twitr), Facebook & Instagram was created to spread awareness about social media influence, counter fake news about protests & share farmers' demands via social media.
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The Khalistani activists have however not spared any effort to capitalise on the current situation and have used various means like offering cash rewards for hoisting their flag on India Gate, appealing to the current Pakistani PM for support etc.
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The Khalistani activists have however not spared any effort to capitalise on the current situation and have used various means like offering cash rewards for hoisting their flag on India Gate, appealing to the current Pakistani PM for support etc.
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On 29th November 2020, Tractor2Twitter a social media platform on Twitter (@tractor2twitr), Facebook & Instagram was created to spread awareness about social media influence, counter fake news about protests & share farmers' demands via social media.
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26 November – 20 December 2020 |
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
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On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
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Renowned Agricultural Economist,
Padm Shree Dr.Ashok Gulati, currently Infosys Chair at ICRIER has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction.
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Padm Shree Dr.Ashok Gulati, currently Infosys Chair at ICRIER has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction.
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Padm Shree Dr. Ashok Gulati, currently Infosys Chair at ICRIER has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction.
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As of 23 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
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As of 22 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
The Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund, Gita Gopinath, said the "farm bills and labour bills are very important steps in the right direction. They have the potential to have more labour market flexibility, providing greater social security to workers and more formalisation of the labour market. In the case of agriculture, having a much more integrated market, creating competition, having farmers getting a greater share of the price that finally the retail price that's paid. So that helps with rural incomes". She also stressed that the implementation of it must be right.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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The 2020–21 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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Australia: Victoria Member of Parliament Rob Mitchell and Russell Wortley were among the Labour leaders who spoke in support of the farmers' protests, with Mitchell addressing the Victorian parliament on the subject after several protests were held in Australia by citizens.
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Australia: Victoria Member of Parliament Rob Mitchell and Russell Wortley were among the Labour leaders who spoke in support of the farmers' protests, with Mitchell addressing the Victorian parliament on the subject after several protests were held in Australia by citizens.
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The 2020–21 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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Langar |
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind.
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Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind. Along with the langars, a makeshift school has been set up at the camp, mostly for children who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
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In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind. Along with the langars, a makeshift school has been set up at the camp, mostly for children who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
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In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind. Along with the langars, a makeshift school has been set up at the camp, mostly for children who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002377148 1002377148 |
2021-01-24T03:46:06Z |
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Insistence on repealing the farm laws |
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2021-01-24T05:12:32Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002389003 1002389003 |
2021-01-24T05:17:10Z |
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287(0) |
Social media |
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries however, some people think that the image is being used for propaganda.
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Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was critcized publicly as being propaganda
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002420121 1002420121 |
2021-01-24T10:36:46Z |
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Independece Day Kissan Parade
The farmers have got a verbal 'In principle" nod from Delhi Police to hold a peaceful Kissan Independence Day Parade. Lakhs of tractors are converging in on Delhi to participate on the unprecedent parade event. Kisan unions have appealed to participanting farmers to ensure peace during the event. Similar kisan rallies are also being reportedly being planned in other major cities including Mumbai. Seeing history being made, a large number of foreign media channels have made preparations to record the event.
The enthusiasm amongst punjabis the world over is similar to celebrating a wedding in the family. Farmer leaders have requested all farmers to ensure no official Independence Day functions are interfered with.
Fallout
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002420147 1002420147 |
2021-01-24T10:36:55Z |
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287(0) |
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Independece Day Kissan Parade
The farmers have got a verbal 'In principle" nod from Delhi Police to hold a peaceful Kissan Independence Day Parade. Lakhs of tractors are converging in on Delhi to participate on the unprecedent parade event. Kisan unions have appealed to participanting farmers to ensure peace during the event. Similar kisan rallies are also being reportedly being planned in other major cities including Mumbai. Seeing history being made, a large number of foreign media channels have made preparations to record the event.
The enthusiasm amongst punjabis the world over is similar to celebrating a wedding in the family. Farmer leaders have requested all farmers to ensure no official Independence Day functions are interfered with.
Fallout
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002445972 1002445972 |
2021-01-24T14:21:35Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002462855 1002462855 |
2021-01-24T16:04:58Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002557566 1002557566 |
2021-01-25T00:43:57Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002557583 1002557583 |
2021-01-25T00:43:59Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002575444 1002575444 |
2021-01-25T02:21:06Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002585507 1002585507 |
2021-01-25T03:31:49Z |
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5651(0) |
287(0) |
Academics |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002647974 1002647974 |
2021-01-25T12:40:48Z |
194602(461) |
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288(1) |
International |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002648163 1002648163 |
2021-01-25T12:42:46Z |
194606(4) |
5651(0) |
288(0) |
International |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002740433 1002740433 |
2021-01-25T21:13:14Z |
195014(408) |
5651(0) |
289(1) |
International |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002745189 1002745189 |
2021-01-25T21:36:17Z |
195779(765) |
5718(67) |
290(1) |
Suicides |
As of 8 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was four. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He is the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
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As of 9 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was five. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He was the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 9 January 2021, it was reported that Amrinder Singh, a 40 year old Punjabi farmer, had killed himself by swallowing Aluminium phosphide tablets at the Singhu border. The man had been depressed at the state of the negotiations, and had downed the tablets at a stage set up for protesters to speak, whereupon he was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable resuscitate him.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002777681 1002777681 |
2021-01-26T00:41:24Z |
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International precedents |
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2021-01-26T00:50:35Z |
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Incidents of fake news |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002827187 1002827187 |
2021-01-26T06:16:16Z |
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5718(0) |
290(0) |
Timeline |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002829318 1002829318 |
2021-01-26T06:28:12Z |
195874(81) |
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290(0) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002839434 1002839434 |
2021-01-26T07:42:46Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002887455 1002887455 |
2021-01-26T13:59:10Z |
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292(2) |
Timeline |
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On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002901224 1002901224 |
2021-01-26T15:23:50Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002935352 1002935352 |
2021-01-26T18:20:24Z |
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Protests |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002935476 1002935476 |
2021-01-26T18:21:04Z |
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292(0) |
Farmer camps |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002936962 1002936962 |
2021-01-26T18:29:07Z |
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5798(45) |
293(1) |
Counter-protests |
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing tens of thousand of people. The protestors breached the wall of the Red Fort, where they hoisted flags after clashing with the police.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002937038 1002937038 |
2021-01-26T18:29:31Z |
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Kisan Parade |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002978216 1002978216 |
2021-01-26T22:28:04Z |
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Accommodation and supplies |
In addition to food, and tea, the farmer's in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
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In addition to food, and tea, the farmers in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002994823 1002994823 |
2021-01-27T00:15:49Z |
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The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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The acts, also known as the "Farm Bills", have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1002995081 1002995081 |
2021-01-27T00:17:35Z |
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The acts, also known as the "Farm Bills", have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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The acts, often called the Farm Bills, have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003051415 1003051415 |
2021-01-27T05:34:20Z |
198219(643) |
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295(1) |
Dilli Chalo |
On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned.
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On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
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2021-01-27T05:36:42Z |
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Dilli Chalo |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003060815 1003060815 |
2021-01-27T06:36:34Z |
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Dilli Chalo |
On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
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On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate and was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
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2021-01-27T09:44:42Z |
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2021-01-27T11:04:19Z |
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Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
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Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that trade unions claim involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
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2021-01-27T12:10:08Z |
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Kisan Parade |
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2021-01-27T15:59:24Z |
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External links |
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2021-01-27T16:08:25Z |
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Kisan Parade |
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2021-01-27T16:09:49Z |
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Parade |
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing tens of thousand of people. The protestors breached the wall of the Red Fort, where they hoisted flags after clashing with the police.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing tens of thousand of people. The protestors breached the wall of the Red Fort, where they hoisted religious flags after clashing with the police.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003141473 1003141473 |
2021-01-27T16:13:06Z |
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Parade |
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing tens of thousand of people. The protestors breached the wall of the Red Fort, where they hoisted religious flags after clashing with the police.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing tens of thousand of people. The protestors diverted from the agreed rally routes and breached the wall of the Red Fort, where they hoisted religious flags after clashing with the police.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003242318 1003242318 |
2021-01-28T02:02:55Z |
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing tens of thousand of people. The protestors diverted from the agreed rally routes and breached the wall of the Red Fort, where they hoisted religious flags after clashing with the police.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people from all over the nation. In the morning, protestors were forced to divert to smaller streets after police kept the agreed rally routes blocked and shut off access to the city. The protests collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Some protestors breached the wall of the Red Fort, where they hoisted religious and farmer union flags after being attacked by the police. By the end of the day there were many injuries on both sides and the farmers have alleged at least was shot dead by the police during the violent clashes.
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On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate and was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
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On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when the protestor was allegedly shot dead by police. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate and was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
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2021-01-28T04:43:02Z |
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top |
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On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when the protestor was allegedly shot dead by police. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate and was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
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On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate and was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
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2021-01-28T05:23:33Z |
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Dilli Chalo |
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2021-01-28T05:50:44Z |
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2021-01-28T05:51:57Z |
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296(0) |
Conspiracy theories |
Several BJP leaders have claimed without any evidence that the protests are the result of a conspiracy, launched by what they have described as "anti-nationals". The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
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The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
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2021-01-28T09:32:13Z |
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people from all over the nation. In the morning, protestors were forced to divert to smaller streets after police kept the agreed rally routes blocked and shut off access to the city. The protests collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Some protestors breached the wall of the Red Fort, where they hoisted religious and farmer union flags after being attacked by the police. By the end of the day there were many injuries on both sides and the farmers have alleged at least was shot dead by the police during the violent clashes.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people from all over the nation. In the morning, protestors were forced to divert to smaller streets after police kept the agreed rally routes blocked and shut off access to the city. The protests collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Some protestors entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (religious) and farmer union flags after being attacked by the police. By the end of the day there were many injuries on both sides and the farmers have alleged at least was shot dead by the police during the violent clashes.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003309262 1003309262 |
2021-01-28T11:12:55Z |
198847(-121) |
5900(-25) |
296(0) |
Parade |
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people from all over the nation. In the morning, protestors were forced to divert to smaller streets after police kept the agreed rally routes blocked and shut off access to the city. The protests collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Some protestors entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (religious) and farmer union flags after being attacked by the police. By the end of the day there were many injuries on both sides and the farmers have alleged at least was shot dead by the police during the violent clashes.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning, protestors deviated to other routes after police kept the agreed rally routes blocked and shut off access to the city. The protests collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Some protestors entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. By the end of the day , many were left injured on both sides during the violent clashes.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003324464 1003324464 |
2021-01-28T13:02:30Z |
198849(2) |
5900(0) |
296(0) |
See also |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003324542 1003324542 |
2021-01-28T13:03:04Z |
198824(-25) |
5900(0) |
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Gallery |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003343600 1003343600 |
2021-01-28T15:08:01Z |
199370(546) |
5948(48) |
298(2) |
Parade |
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning, protestors deviated to other routes after police kept the agreed rally routes blocked and shut off access to the city. The protests collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Some protestors entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. By the end of the day , many were left injured on both sides during the violent clashes.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 11:30 a.m., the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003352755 1003352755 |
2021-01-28T16:02:46Z |
199410(40) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003375576 1003375576 |
2021-01-28T18:02:33Z |
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305(7) |
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On 26th January, the tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from there pre sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003376620 1003376620 |
2021-01-28T18:08:19Z |
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On 26th January, the tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from there pre sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from there pre sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003403584 1003403584 |
2021-01-28T20:41:34Z |
201814(-176) |
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 11:30 a.m., the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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2021-01-28T21:55:13Z |
201831(17) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003431665 1003431665 |
2021-01-28T23:31:17Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003444961 1003444961 |
2021-01-29T00:57:04Z |
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from there pre sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003461773 1003461773 |
2021-01-29T02:28:36Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003473182 1003473182 |
2021-01-29T03:40:09Z |
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003483346 1003483346 |
2021-01-29T04:58:13Z |
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Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was critcized publicly as being propaganda
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Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was critcized publicly as being propaganda.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003483378 1003483378 |
2021-01-29T04:58:32Z |
202737(-1) |
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Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
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Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003493177 1003493177 |
2021-01-29T06:34:46Z |
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top |
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2021-01-29T06:57:42Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003496763 1003496763 |
2021-01-29T07:13:36Z |
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2021-01-29T10:08:14Z |
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Blocking of border and roads |
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On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathicharge to disperse them off.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003522513 1003522513 |
2021-01-29T11:42:21Z |
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• "Sunn Diliye" by Damanjot
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2021-01-29T12:51:05Z |
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• "Sunn Diliye" by Damanjot
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2021-01-29T12:56:03Z |
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2021-01-29T14:39:09Z |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003559646 1003559646 |
2021-01-29T15:46:13Z |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003559749 1003559749 |
2021-01-29T15:46:45Z |
205536(-1) |
6133(-1) |
312(0) |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003564825 1003564825 |
2021-01-29T16:14:29Z |
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003567029 1003567029 |
2021-01-29T16:26:02Z |
205879(772) |
6153(49) |
313(2) |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
|
The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the police clashed with the protesting farmers. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003570014 1003570014 |
2021-01-29T16:43:33Z |
205536(-343) |
6133(-20) |
312(-1) |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the police clashed with the protesting farmers. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
|
The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003576946 1003576946 |
2021-01-29T17:22:27Z |
205879(343) |
6153(20) |
313(1) |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
|
The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the police clashed with the protesting farmers. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003578660 1003578660 |
2021-01-29T17:31:36Z |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the police clashed with the protesting farmers. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003578968 1003578968 |
2021-01-29T17:33:28Z |
205879(343) |
6153(20) |
313(1) |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the police clashed with the protesting farmers. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003579249 1003579249 |
2021-01-29T17:34:57Z |
205536(-343) |
6133(-20) |
312(-1) |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the police clashed with the protesting farmers. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003580854 1003580854 |
2021-01-29T17:43:56Z |
205879(343) |
6153(20) |
313(1) |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. On 26th January 2021, India's Republic Day, violence and riots erupted across Delhi and the Singhu Border as part of the protests. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m., rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors deliberately marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day , many police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and one protester died after attempting to break the barricades with his tractor.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the police clashed with the protesting farmers. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003596660 1003596660 |
2021-01-29T19:17:06Z |
205869(-10) |
6153(0) |
313(0) |
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags.. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003602752 1003602752 |
2021-01-29T19:50:45Z |
205884(15) |
6156(3) |
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the police clashed with the protesting farmers. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003603186 1003603186 |
2021-01-29T19:53:02Z |
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and had to remove various obstacles in their path placed by the police such as busses and barricades. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003603675 1003603675 |
2021-01-29T19:55:42Z |
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters were forced to deviate from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration as they were not allowed access into the city. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1003604171 1003604171 |
2021-01-29T19:58:24Z |
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from their pre-sanctioned routes of the rally between Delhi administration and Kisan Unions and breached the barricades. Protesters reached central Delhi and resorted to vandalism and damage to public property. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from the pre sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. Protesters reached central Delhi as they drove through barricades and caused vandalism. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
These acts areas are:
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers.
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
As of 31 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop the trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, the number of farmers blocking Delhi in the Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The farmers' unions announced that on 4 December they would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing their plans to return their awards and medals received from the Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced their plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with the central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed their plans for a national strike on 8 December. Further talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. One person died in the protest as his tractor overturned on him. Later, the postmortem also confirmed that he died due to haemorrhage due to head injuries.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathicharge to disperse them off.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke barricades and marched their way to the fort armed with sticks, rods and swords. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after his tractor overturned on him leading to his death due to haemorrhage.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind. Along with the langars, a makeshift school has been set up at the camp, mostly for children who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmers in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 9 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was five. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He was the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 9 January 2021, it was reported that Amrinder Singh, a 40 year old Punjabi farmer, had killed himself by swallowing Aluminium phosphide tablets at the Singhu border. The man had been depressed at the state of the negotiations, and had downed the tablets at a stage set up for protesters to speak, whereupon he was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable resuscitate him.
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked the central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over the new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Renowned Agricultural Economist,
Padm Shree Dr. Ashok Gulati, currently Infosys Chair at ICRIER has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction.
The Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund, Gita Gopinath, said the "farm bills and labour bills are very important steps in the right direction. They have the potential to have more labour market flexibility, providing greater social security to workers and more formalisation of the labour market. In the case of agriculture, having a much more integrated market, creating competition, having farmers getting a greater share of the price that finally the retail price that's paid. So that helps with rural incomes". She also stressed that the implementation of it must be right.
Milind Sathye, a professor at the University of Canberra asserts that the new laws will "enable farmers to act together and join hands with the private sector and that the previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among other problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at the University of Toronto, states that "the bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects the largest single sector of the economy and the poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was critcized publicly as being propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the centre of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the centre of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke through many obstacles placed in their path such as concrete barricades, buses, and even used face coverings and sticks to defend themselves against police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the centre of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the centre of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was cause by the protestors tractor overturning.
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On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the centre of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was caused by the protestors tractor overturning while he was attempting to break the barricades with his speedy tractor.
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In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
These acts areas are:
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers.
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
As of 31 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop the trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, the number of farmers blocking Delhi in the Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The farmers' unions announced that on 4 December they would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing their plans to return their awards and medals received from the Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced their plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with the central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed their plans for a national strike on 8 December. Further talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate and was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathicharge to disperse them off.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the centre of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was caused by the protestors tractor overturning while he was attempting to break the barricades with his speedy tractor.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind. Along with the langars, a makeshift school has been set up at the camp, mostly for children who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmers in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 9 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was five. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He was the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 9 January 2021, it was reported that Amrinder Singh, a 40 year old Punjabi farmer, had killed himself by swallowing Aluminium phosphide tablets at the Singhu border. The man had been depressed at the state of the negotiations, and had downed the tablets at a stage set up for protesters to speak, whereupon he was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable resuscitate him.
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked the central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over the new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Renowned Agricultural Economist,
Padm Shree Dr. Ashok Gulati, currently Infosys Chair at ICRIER has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction.
The Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund, Gita Gopinath, said the "farm bills and labour bills are very important steps in the right direction. They have the potential to have more labour market flexibility, providing greater social security to workers and more formalisation of the labour market. In the case of agriculture, having a much more integrated market, creating competition, having farmers getting a greater share of the price that finally the retail price that's paid. So that helps with rural incomes". She also stressed that the implementation of it must be right.
Milind Sathye, a professor at the University of Canberra asserts that the new laws will "enable farmers to act together and join hands with the private sector and that the previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among other problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at the University of Toronto, states that "the bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects the largest single sector of the economy and the poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was critcized publicly as being propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
These acts areas are:
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers.
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
As of 31 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop the trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, the number of farmers blocking Delhi in the Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The farmers' unions announced that on 4 December they would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing their plans to return their awards and medals received from the Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced their plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with the central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed their plans for a national strike on 8 December. Further talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate and was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathicharge to disperse them off.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the centre of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was caused by the protestors tractor overturning while he was attempting to break the barricades with his speedy tractor.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind. Along with the langars, a makeshift school has been set up at the camp, mostly for children who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmers in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 9 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was five. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He was the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 9 January 2021, it was reported that Amrinder Singh, a 40 year old Punjabi farmer, had killed himself by swallowing Aluminium phosphide tablets at the Singhu border. The man had been depressed at the state of the negotiations, and had downed the tablets at a stage set up for protesters to speak, whereupon he was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable resuscitate him.
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked the central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over the new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Renowned Agricultural Economist,
Padm Shree Dr. Ashok Gulati, currently Infosys Chair at ICRIER has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction.
The Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund, Gita Gopinath, said the "farm bills and labour bills are very important steps in the right direction. They have the potential to have more labour market flexibility, providing greater social security to workers and more formalisation of the labour market. In the case of agriculture, having a much more integrated market, creating competition, having farmers getting a greater share of the price that finally the retail price that's paid. So that helps with rural incomes". She also stressed that the implementation of it must be right.
Milind Sathye, a professor at the University of Canberra asserts that the new laws will "enable farmers to act together and join hands with the private sector and that the previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among other problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at the University of Toronto, states that "the bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects the largest single sector of the economy and the poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was critcized publicly as being propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.
These acts areas are:
Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in Punjab and in India in general. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.
Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private section participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers.
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
As of 31 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that "We will then escalate it to the entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer's) issues." After a meeting with government officials and 30 union representatives, "the farmers have rejected the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union told the press on 8 December 2020.
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail Roko" (transl. "stop the trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law.
Between 28 November and 3 December, the number of farmers blocking Delhi in the Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.
The Central Government Of India announced they would for discussing the future of the new farm laws on 3 December 2020, despite the protesters' demands that the talks took place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (transl. farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wanted the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The farmers' unions announced that on 4 December they would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Prominent personalities began announcing their plans to return their awards and medals received from the Central Government. On 7 December, farmers announced their plan to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with the central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed their plans for a national strike on 8 December. Further talks were planned for 9 December.
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. The farmers also said they will block the Delhi-Jaipur highway on 12 December and nationwide dharnas will be called on 14 December 2020. On 13 December, Rewari police barricaded Rajasthan-Haryana border to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the farmers responded by sitting on the road and blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway in protest.
On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, hundreds of thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place. At least one death was reported when a protestor's tractor overturned. However, farmer leaders pointed to the union government's conspiracy by citing the present of actor Deep Sidhu at the Red Fort. He is a Bharatiya Janata Party associate and was the election manager for actor-politician Sunny Deol when he contested on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Deep Sidhu was candidly doing Facebook Live from Red Fort.
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.
On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathicharge to disperse them off.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The protestors collided with the police and made their way to the centre of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the protesters ran riot on Delhi roads, broke concrete barricades, damaged buses, flashed swords and even attempted to ram into resisting police personnel. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after farm leaders allege he was shot in the head by security police personnel, while the police has put out a statement claiming the death was caused by the protestors tractor overturning while he was attempting to break the barricades with his speedy tractor.
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea. Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs. Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind. Along with the langars, a makeshift school has been set up at the camp, mostly for children who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmers in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December. In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.
As of 9 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was five. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He was the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 9 January 2021, it was reported that Amrinder Singh, a 40 year old Punjabi farmer, had killed himself by swallowing Aluminium phosphide tablets at the Singhu border. The man had been depressed at the state of the negotiations, and had downed the tablets at a stage set up for protesters to speak, whereupon he was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable resuscitate him.
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect.
On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked the central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops." On 17 December, the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over the new laws.
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.
The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister.
On 4 December, the farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the center's new agricultural laws called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 8 December, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government. A day before the strike, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:
The Union Minister for Food, Railway and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding." BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are Left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy. He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."
Renowned Agricultural Economist,
Padm Shree Dr. Ashok Gulati, currently Infosys Chair at ICRIER has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction.
The Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund, Gita Gopinath, said the "farm bills and labour bills are very important steps in the right direction. They have the potential to have more labour market flexibility, providing greater social security to workers and more formalisation of the labour market. In the case of agriculture, having a much more integrated market, creating competition, having farmers getting a greater share of the price that finally the retail price that's paid. So that helps with rural incomes". She also stressed that the implementation of it must be right.
Milind Sathye, a professor at the University of Canberra asserts that the new laws will "enable farmers to act together and join hands with the private sector and that the previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among other problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at the University of Toronto, states that "the bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects the largest single sector of the economy and the poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was critcized publicly as being propaganda.
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was later brought back after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram has been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke for farmers in favor of BJP led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
On 12 January 2021 Supreme court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However two days later Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in the Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh took exception to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore summoning state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Amarinder Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like `Naxalites', `Khalistanis,' and prevail BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the draconian farm laws.
Since the beginning of protests many songs have been released by singers, songwriters describing the protest and showing unity and solidarity. Several clips of the protest featured in an international collaboration "Ek Din" by Bohemia, The Game and Karan Aujla. Canadian rapper Nav also came out in support of the farmers. Kanwar Grewal who has been involved in gathering support for the protests since the beginning said "Wherever Punjabis are settled in the world, they will always be connected to their roots, their land, and their community", and praised the support of those who were living abroad.
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As of 31 January 2021, the farmers' demands include:
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As of 1 February 2021, the farmers' demands include:
Navreet Singh, 25, resident of Rampur District, a student of Melbourne University on vaction in India, died while participating in farmers’ Republic Day tractor rally on 26 January 2021. He was the lone fatality during the farmer's rally. According to Delhi Police First Information Report (FIR), and the autopsy, Navreet Singh died from head injuries sustained in a tractor accident. Avinash Chandra, Additional Director General of Police (DGP) Bareilly Zone, whose jurisdiction includes Rampur, told reporters that the postmortem report has confirmed that Navreet Singh was not shot, and succumbed to antemortem injuries “received after his tractor toppled”.
Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, Navreet Singh's grand father, with whom he was staying, denying police version of events, has alleged that Navneet Singh died from gunshot wounds from police firing. Journalist who reported Hardeep Singh's allegations have been charged with sedition by the Uttar Pradesh police. Those charged include Siddharth Varadarajan, Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vinod Jose, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath and Anant Nath, and Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP. Varadarajan has called the police FIR “malicious prosecution”.
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In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathicharge to disperse them off.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke barricades and marched their way to the fort armed with sticks, rods and swords. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after his tractor overturned on him leading to his death due to haemorrhage.
On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers was 57. On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50.
Navreet Singh, 25, resident of Rampur District, a student of Melbourne University on vaction in India, died while participating in farmers’ Republic Day tractor rally on 26 January 2021. He was the lone fatality during the farmer's rally. According to Delhi Police First Information Report (FIR), and the autopsy, Navreet Singh died from head injuries sustained in a tractor accident. Avinash Chandra, Additional Director General of Police (DGP) Bareilly Zone, whose jurisdiction includes Rampur, told reporters that the postmortem report has confirmed that Navreet Singh was not shot, and succumbed to antemortem injuries “received after his tractor toppled”.
Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, Navreet Singh's grand father, with whom he was staying, denying police version of events, has alleged that Navneet Singh died from gunshot wounds from police firing. Journalist who reported Hardeep Singh's allegations have been charged with sedition by the Uttar Pradesh police. Those charged include Siddharth Varadarajan, Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vinod Jose, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath and Anant Nath, and Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP. Varadarajan has called the police FIR “malicious prosecution”.
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In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathicharge to disperse them off.
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke barricades and marched their way to the fort armed with sticks, rods and swords. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after his tractor overturned on him leading to his death due to haemorrhage.
On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers had reached 57. On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120.
Navreet Singh, 25, resident of Rampur District, a student of Melbourne University on vaction in India, died while participating in farmers’ Republic Day tractor rally on 26 January 2021. He was the lone fatality during the farmer's rally. According to Delhi Police First Information Report (FIR), and the autopsy, Navreet Singh died from head injuries sustained in a tractor accident. Avinash Chandra, Additional Director General of Police (DGP) Bareilly Zone, whose jurisdiction includes Rampur, told reporters that the postmortem report has confirmed that Navreet Singh was not shot, and succumbed to antemortem injuries “received after his tractor toppled”.
Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, Navreet Singh's grand father, with whom he was staying, denying police version of events, has alleged that Navneet Singh died from gunshot wounds from police firing. Journalist who reported Hardeep Singh's allegations have been charged with sedition by the Uttar Pradesh police. Those charged include Siddharth Varadarajan, Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vinod Jose, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath and Anant Nath, and Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP. Varadarajan has called the police FIR “malicious prosecution”.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.
Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004128103 1004128103 |
2021-02-01T05:18:26Z |
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21 December–25 January, 2021 |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004128178 1004128178 |
2021-02-01T05:19:11Z |
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21 December 2020–25 January 2021 |
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Parade |
On January 26, 2021, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the United Front of farmers of India, held a parade with tractors in Delhi, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. In the morning at 8:30 a.m, rather than the agreed time of 12 noon, the parade started off from Singhu border, with protestors marching towards Central Delhi. The police collided with the protestors as they made their way to the center of Delhi. Many of them entered the Red Fort, where they hoisted Nishan Sahib and farmer union flags. Before reaching the Red Fort, the farmers broke barricades and marched their way to the fort armed with sticks, rods and swords. By the end of the day, many farmers and police personnel were left injured during the violent clashes and at least one protester died after his tractor overturned on him leading to his death due to haemorrhage.
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On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting agricultural reforms held a parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The farmers drove in long lines of tractors, riding horses or marching on foot. The parade started from Singhu Border, Tikri Border and Ghazipur in Delhi on the routes approved by the Police. The farmers were barred from entering the central part of the city where the official Republic Day parade was taking place. At the Singhu Border starting point, according to the police estimates, around 7000 tractors had gathered. Reuters reported citing farmers' unions that close to 200,000 tractors had participated.
Later the tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes and the protesting farmers clashed with the police forces. The protestors instead of rallying on the pre-decided route, chose to march towards ITO metro station and the city centre meanwhile breaking through the barricades. This prompted the Delhi Police to resort to use of tear gas and baton charging. Some protesters driving their speeding tractors rammed barricades and attempted to mow down the policeman on duty.
Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
A farmer Navreet Singh reportedly died on the spot while driving the tractor. The police claimed he died after he lost control and his tractor overturned on him while he was trying to break through barricades. Later the Delhi Police releases CCTV footage of the incident to counter the claim. The postmortem conducted at 2 am on January 27, noted the cause of death as "shock and haemorrhage due to anti-morten injuries". No bullet injuries were mentioned in the report. Farmer union leaders and victim's family claimed that he died after being shot in the head by the police, and the event was witnessed by other farmers near ITO. The family disputes the police version of the incident, and maintained that the death was due to bullet injury. The family referred to the mention of two "lacerated" wounds, one on Navreet's chin and the other behind his ear, in the post-mortem report. His family referred to the chin wound as entry and the deep gash above ear as the 'exit wound' of bullet. The family also released a video of the Navreet's face, showing the deep holes visible in his left chin and above his right ear, making the point that this was a bullet injury.
The police in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana filed three sedition cases against journalists including India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, and the Congress politician Shashi Tharoor for blaming his death on a gunshot.
The protestors further reached and forcefully entered the historic Red Fort of Delhi and hoisted religious flags from the ramparts and climbed up the domes of the fort. One of the farmers was seen climbing a flagpole in front of the fort and hoisting the religious flag Nishan Sahib on the flagpole. The clash between police and farmers also caused damage to facilities inside the fort. 394 policemen and thousands of farmers were reported injured, 30 police vehicles were destroyed and internet services were suspended for hours in several parts of Delhi and the NCR region. The police took hours in vacating the fort premises after continuous announcements and use of force.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004150566 1004150566 |
2021-02-01T08:29:29Z |
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On 26th January, the tractor rally organised by the protestors turned violent as the protesting farmers clashed with the police. The protesters deviated from the pre sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. Protesters reached central Delhi as they drove through barricades and caused vandalism. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting agricultural reforms held a Farmer's parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The protesters deviated from the pre sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. The tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004151055 1004151055 |
2021-02-01T08:34:01Z |
214166(221) |
6698(1) |
332(-1) |
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On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting agricultural reforms held a Farmer's parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The protesters deviated from the pre sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. The tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting agricultural reforms held a Farmer's parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The protesters deviated from the pre sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. The tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004158609 1004158609 |
2021-02-01T09:38:23Z |
213187(-979) |
6642(-56) |
330(-2) |
Farmers' parade |
Later the tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes and the protesting farmers clashed with the police forces. The protestors instead of rallying on the pre-decided route, chose to march towards ITO metro station and the city centre meanwhile breaking through the barricades. This prompted the Delhi Police to resort to use of tear gas and baton charging. Some protesters driving their speeding tractors rammed barricades and attempted to mow down the policeman on duty.
Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
A farmer Navreet Singh reportedly died on the spot while driving the tractor. The police claimed he died after he lost control and his tractor overturned on him while he was trying to break through barricades. Later the Delhi Police releases CCTV footage of the incident to counter the claim. The postmortem conducted at 2 am on January 27, noted the cause of death as "shock and haemorrhage due to anti-morten injuries". No bullet injuries were mentioned in the report. Farmer union leaders and victim's family claimed that he died after being shot in the head by the police, and the event was witnessed by other farmers near ITO. The family disputes the police version of the incident, and maintained that the death was due to bullet injury. The family referred to the mention of two "lacerated" wounds, one on Navreet's chin and the other behind his ear, in the post-mortem report. His family referred to the chin wound as entry and the deep gash above ear as the 'exit wound' of bullet. The family also released a video of the Navreet's face, showing the deep holes visible in his left chin and above his right ear, making the point that this was a bullet injury.
The police in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana filed three sedition cases against journalists including India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, and the Congress politician Shashi Tharoor for blaming his death on a gunshot.
The protestors further reached and forcefully entered the historic Red Fort of Delhi and hoisted religious flags from the ramparts and climbed up the domes of the fort. One of the farmers was seen climbing a flagpole in front of the fort and hoisting the religious flag Nishan Sahib on the flagpole. The clash between police and farmers also caused damage to facilities inside the fort. 394 policemen and thousands of farmers were reported injured, 30 police vehicles were destroyed and internet services were suspended for hours in several parts of Delhi and the NCR region. The police took hours in vacating the fort premises after continuous announcements and use of force.
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes and the protesting farmers clashed with the police forces. The protestors instead of rallying on the pre-decided route, chose to march towards ITO metro station and the city centre meanwhile breaking through the barricades. This prompted the Delhi Police to resort to use of tear gas and baton charging. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
A farmer Navreet Singh reportedly died on the spot while driving the tractor. The police claimed he died after he lost control and his tractor overturned on him while he was trying to break through barricades. Later the Delhi Police releases CCTV footage of the incident to counter the claim. The postmortem conducted at 2 am on January 27, noted the cause of death as "shock and haemorrhage due to anti-morten injuries". No bullet injuries were mentioned in the report. Farmer union leaders and victim's family claimed that he died after being shot in the head by the police, and the event was witnessed by other farmers near ITO. The family disputes the police version of the incident, and maintained that the death was due to bullet injury. The family referred to the mention of two "lacerated" wounds, one on Navreet's chin and the other behind his ear, in the post-mortem report. His family referred to the chin wound as entry and the deep gash above ear as the 'exit wound' of bullet. The family also released a video of the Navreet's face, showing the deep holes visible in his left chin and above his right ear, making the point that this was a bullet injury. The police in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana filed three sedition cases against journalists including India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, and the Congress politician Shashi Tharoor for blaming Navreet's death on a gunshot.
The protestors entered the Red Fort of Delhi, and one of the farmers was seen climbing a flagpole in front of the fort and hoisting the religious flag Nishan Sahib on the flagpole. The clash between police and farmers also caused damage to facilities inside the fort. 394 policemen and thousands of farmers were reported injured, 30 police vehicles were damaged and internet services were suspended for hours in several parts of Delhi and the NCR region. The police took hours in vacating the fort premises after continuous announcements and use of force.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004158802 1004158802 |
2021-02-01T09:39:48Z |
213366(179) |
6671(29) |
330(0) |
Fatalities |
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
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On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government, who had been reluctant to commemorate, condole or comment on the death of farmers, participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
A freelance journalist, Mandeep Punia,was arrested by Delhi Police on 30 January in view of his reports regarding the violence that took place at Singhu boarder the day before.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004159060 1004159060 |
2021-02-01T09:42:02Z |
213302(-64) |
6659(-12) |
330(0) |
Farmers' parade |
A farmer Navreet Singh reportedly died on the spot while driving the tractor. The police claimed he died after he lost control and his tractor overturned on him while he was trying to break through barricades. Later the Delhi Police releases CCTV footage of the incident to counter the claim. The postmortem conducted at 2 am on January 27, noted the cause of death as "shock and haemorrhage due to anti-morten injuries". No bullet injuries were mentioned in the report. Farmer union leaders and victim's family claimed that he died after being shot in the head by the police, and the event was witnessed by other farmers near ITO. The family disputes the police version of the incident, and maintained that the death was due to bullet injury. The family referred to the mention of two "lacerated" wounds, one on Navreet's chin and the other behind his ear, in the post-mortem report. His family referred to the chin wound as entry and the deep gash above ear as the 'exit wound' of bullet. The family also released a video of the Navreet's face, showing the deep holes visible in his left chin and above his right ear, making the point that this was a bullet injury. The police in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana filed three sedition cases against journalists including India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, and the Congress politician Shashi Tharoor for blaming Navreet's death on a gunshot.
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A farmer Navreet Singh reportedly died on the spot while driving the tractor. The police claimed he died after he lost control and his tractor overturned on him while he was trying to break through barricades. Later the Delhi Police releases CCTV footage of the incident to counter the claim. The postmortem conducted at 2 am on January 27, noted the cause of death as "shock and haemorrhage due to anti-morten injuries". No bullet injuries were mentioned in the report. Farmer union leaders and victim's family disputed the police version of the incident, and claimed that he died after being shot in the head by the police, and the event was witnessed by other farmers near ITO. The family referred to the mention of two "lacerated" wounds, one on Navreet's chin and the other behind his ear, in the post-mortem report. His family referred to the chin wound as entry and the deep gash above ear as the 'exit wound' of bullet. The family also released a video of the Navreet's face, showing the deep holes visible in his left chin and above his right ear, making the point that this was a bullet injury. The police in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana filed three sedition cases against journalists including India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, and the Congress politician Shashi Tharoor for blaming Navreet's death on a gunshot.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004170241 1004170241 |
2021-02-01T11:00:25Z |
213289(-13) |
6659(0) |
330(0) |
Fatalities |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004187684 1004187684 |
2021-02-01T13:08:52Z |
213314(25) |
6662(3) |
330(0) |
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In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathicharge to disperse them off.
At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes and the protesting farmers clashed with the police forces. The protestors instead of rallying on the pre-decided route, chose to march towards ITO metro station and the city centre meanwhile breaking through the barricades. This prompted the Delhi Police to resort to use of tear gas and baton charging. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
A farmer Navreet Singh reportedly died on the spot while driving the tractor. The police claimed he died after he lost control and his tractor overturned on him while he was trying to break through barricades. Later the Delhi Police releases CCTV footage of the incident to counter the claim. The postmortem conducted at 2 am on January 27, noted the cause of death as "shock and haemorrhage due to anti-morten injuries". No bullet injuries were mentioned in the report. Farmer union leaders and victim's family disputed the police version of the incident, and claimed that he died after being shot in the head by the police, and the event was witnessed by other farmers near ITO. The family referred to the mention of two "lacerated" wounds, one on Navreet's chin and the other behind his ear, in the post-mortem report. His family referred to the chin wound as entry and the deep gash above ear as the 'exit wound' of bullet. The family also released a video of the Navreet's face, showing the deep holes visible in his left chin and above his right ear, making the point that this was a bullet injury. The police in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana filed three sedition cases against journalists including India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, and the Congress politician Shashi Tharoor for blaming Navreet's death on a gunshot.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmers in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGO, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand laden truck and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
Navreet Singh, 25, resident of Rampur District, a student of Melbourne University on vaction in India, died while participating in farmers’ Republic Day tractor rally on 26 January 2021. He was the lone fatality during the farmer's rally. According to Delhi Police First Information Report (FIR), and the autopsy, Navreet Singh died from head injuries sustained in a tractor accident. Avinash Chandra, Additional Director General of Police (DGP) Bareilly Zone, whose jurisdiction includes Rampur, told reporters that the postmortem report has confirmed that Navreet Singh was not shot, and succumbed to antemortem injuries “received after his tractor toppled”.
Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, Navreet Singh's grand father, with whom he was staying, denying police version of events, has alleged that Navneet Singh died from gunshot wounds from police firing. Journalist who reported Hardeep Singh's allegations have been charged with sedition by the Uttar Pradesh police. Those charged include Siddharth Varadarajan, Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vinod Jose, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath and Anant Nath, and Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP. Varadarajan has called the police FIR “malicious prosecution”.
As of 9 January 2021 death toll of farmer by suicide to protest government's farm policy was five. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75 year old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He was the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 9 January 2021, it was reported that Amrinder Singh, a 40 year old Punjabi farmer, had killed himself by swallowing Aluminium phosphide tablets at the Singhu border. The man had been depressed at the state of the negotiations, and had downed the tablets at a stage set up for protesters to speak, whereupon he was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable resuscitate him.
A freelance journalist, Mandeep Punia,was arrested by Delhi Police on 30 January in view of his reports regarding the violence that took place at Singhu boarder the day before.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was critcized publicly as being propaganda.
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
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In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers, and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathi charge to disperse them off.
At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes and the protesting farmers clashed with the police forces. The protestors instead of rallying on the pre-decided route, chose to march towards ITO metro station and the city centre meanwhile breaking through the barricades. This prompted the Delhi Police to resort to use of tear gas and baton charging. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
A farmer Navreet Singh reportedly died on the spot while driving the tractor. The police claimed he died after he lost control and his tractor overturned on him while he was trying to break through barricades. Later the Delhi Police released CCTV footage of the incident to counter the claim. The postmortem conducted at 2 am on January 27, noted the cause of death as "shock and haemorrhage due to anti-morten injuries". No bullet injuries were mentioned in the report. Farmer union leaders and victim's family disputed the police version of the incident and claimed that he died after being shot in the head by the police, and the event was witnessed by other farmers near ITO. The family referred to the mention of two "lacerated" wounds, one on Navreet's chin and the other behind his ear, in the post-mortem report. His family referred to the chin wound as entry and the deep gash above the ear as the 'exit wound' of the bullet. The family also released a video of Navreet's face, showing the deep holes visible in his left chin and above his right ear, making the point that this was a bullet injury. The police in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana filed three sedition cases against journalists including India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, and the Congress politician Shashi Tharoor for blaming Navreet's death on a gunshot.
In addition to food, and tea, the farmers in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGOs, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand-laden trucks and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.
Navreet Singh, 25, resident of Rampur District, a student of Melbourne University on vacation in India, died while participating in farmers’ Republic Day tractor rally on 26 January 2021. He was the lone fatality during the farmer's rally. According to Delhi Police First Information Report (FIR), and the autopsy, Navreet Singh died from head injuries sustained in a tractor accident. Avinash Chandra, Additional Director General of Police (DGP) Bareilly Zone, whose jurisdiction includes Rampur, told reporters that the postmortem report has confirmed that Navreet Singh was not shot, and succumbed to antemortem injuries “received after his tractor toppled”.
Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, Navreet Singh's grandfather, with whom he was staying, denying police version of events, has alleged that Navneet Singh died from gunshot wounds from police firing. Journalists who reported Hardeep Singh's allegations have been charged with sedition by the Uttar Pradesh police. Those charged include Siddharth Varadarajan, Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vinod Jose, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath and Anant Nath, and Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP. Varadarajan has called the police FIR “malicious prosecution”.
As of 9 January, 2021 the death toll of farmers by suicide to protest the government's farm policy was five. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind a 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers. At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke… It is humiliating to suffer injustice."
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75-year-old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He was the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."
On 9 January 2021, it was reported that Amrinder Singh, a 40-year-old Punjabi farmer, had killed himself by swallowing Aluminium phosphide tablets at the Singhu border. The man had been depressed at the state of the negotiations and had downed the tablets at a stage set up for protesters to speak, whereupon he was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable to resuscitate him.
A freelance journalist, Mandeep Punia, was arrested by Delhi Police on 30 January in view of his reports regarding the violence that took place at Singhu border the day before.
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was criticized publicly as being propaganda.
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (the government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us will be responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If the vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004273792 1004273792 |
2021-02-01T21:03:54Z |
213272(-42) |
6662(0) |
330(0) |
Farmers' parade |
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2021-02-01T23:06:34Z |
213636(364) |
6675(13) |
333(3) |
26 January onwards |
Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, Navreet Singh's grandfather, with whom he was staying, denying police version of events, has alleged that Navneet Singh died from gunshot wounds from police firing. Journalists who reported Hardeep Singh's allegations have been charged with sedition by the Uttar Pradesh police. Those charged include Siddharth Varadarajan, Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vinod Jose, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath and Anant Nath, and Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP. Varadarajan has called the police FIR “malicious prosecution”.
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Navreet Singh's grandfather, Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, with whom he was staying, and other family members, have denied police version of events. They allege that Navneet Singh died from gunshot wounds from firing by Delhi police .Journalists who reported Hardeep Singh's allegations have been charged with sedition by the Uttar Pradesh police. Those charged include Siddharth Varadarajan, Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vinod Jose, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath and Anant Nath, and Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP. Varadarajan has called the police FIR “malicious prosecution”.
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2021-02-02T05:19:30Z |
213647(11) |
6675(0) |
333(0) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004369149 1004369149 |
2021-02-02T07:52:00Z |
214617(970) |
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Blocking of border and roads |
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In early Februaury, metal barricades, cement walls and iron nails were put up at the roads leading to the three main borders(Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur) to block any vehicles from entering Delhi. Barbed fences were also put up to prevent people from entering Delhi on foot.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004392247 1004392247 |
2021-02-02T11:09:19Z |
214614(-3) |
6720(0) |
335(0) |
Farmers' parade |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004397231 1004397231 |
2021-02-02T11:48:03Z |
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336(1) |
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes and the protesting farmers clashed with the police forces. The protestors instead of rallying on the pre-decided route, chose to march towards ITO metro station and the city centre meanwhile breaking through the barricades. This prompted the Delhi Police to resort to use of tear gas and baton charging. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
A farmer Navreet Singh reportedly died on the spot while driving the tractor. The police claimed he died after he lost control and his tractor overturned on him while he was trying to break through barricades. Later the Delhi Police released CCTV footage of the incident to counter the claim. The postmortem conducted at 2 am on January 27, noted the cause of death as "shock and haemorrhage due to anti-morten injuries". No bullet injuries were mentioned in the report. Farmer union leaders and victim's family disputed the police version of the incident and claimed that he died after being shot in the head by the police, and the event was witnessed by other farmers near ITO. The family referred to the mention of two "lacerated" wounds, one on Navreet's chin and the other behind his ear, in the post-mortem report. His family referred to the chin wound as entry and the deep gash above the ear as the 'exit wound' of the bullet. The family also released a video of Navreet's face, showing the deep holes visible in his left chin and above his right ear, making the point that this was a bullet injury. The police in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana filed three sedition cases against journalists including India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, and the Congress politician Shashi Tharoor for blaming Navreet's death on a gunshot.
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police used tear gas and Baton charged the protesting farmers leading to clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
A farmer Navreet Singh reportedly died on the spot while driving the tractor. The police claimed he died after he lost control and his tractor overturned on him while he was trying to break through barricades. Later the Delhi Police released CCTV footage of the tractor overturning. The postmortem conducted at 2 am on January 27, noted the cause of death as "shock and haemorrhage due to anti-morten injuries". No bullet injuries were mentioned in the report. Farmer union leaders and victim's family disputed the police version of the incident and claimed that he died after being shot in the head by the police, and the event was witnessed by other farmers near ITO. According to the witness accounts filmed at the incident site by a local Punjabi TV station, the police shot Navreet when he was attempting to drive through the barrier. A man present at the scene stated that Navreet was hit by the bullet, after which the tractor overturned. The family referred to the mention of two "lacerated" wounds, one on Navreet's chin and the other behind his ear, in the post-mortem report. His family referred to the chin wound as entry and the deep gash above the ear as the 'exit wound' of the bullet. The family also released a video of Navreet's face, showing the deep holes visible in his left chin and above his right ear, making the point that this was a bullet injury. The police in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana filed three sedition cases against journalists including India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, and the Congress politician Shashi Tharoor for blaming Navreet's death on a gunshot.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004411026 1004411026 |
2021-02-02T13:27:29Z |
214884(-197) |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.
Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 15 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting agricultural reforms held a Farmer's parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The protesters deviated from the pre sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. The tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.
Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Farm leaders have also rejected a government proposal of suspending the laws for 12-18 months. Eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 22 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting agricultural reforms held a Farmer's parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The protesters deviated from the pre sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. The tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004411676 1004411676 |
2021-02-02T13:31:54Z |
214823(-61) |
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336(0) |
Protests |
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
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On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004413564 1004413564 |
2021-02-02T13:44:01Z |
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A freelance journalist, Mandeep Punia, was arrested by Delhi Police on 30 January in view of his reports regarding the violence that took place at Singhu border the day before.
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A freelance journalist, Mandeep Punia, was arrested by Delhi Police on 30 January in view of his reports regarding the violence that took place at Singhu border the day before. He was granted bail on 2nd February.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004414289 1004414289 |
2021-02-02T13:48:17Z |
215848(675) |
6768(2) |
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On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting agricultural reforms held a Farmer's parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The protesters deviated from the pre sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. The tractor rally turned into a violent protest as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed their farmer union and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting against the agricultural reforms held a farmer's parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The protesters deviated from the pre-sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. The tractor rally turned into a violent protest at certain as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed farmer union flags and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004414747 1004414747 |
2021-02-02T13:51:05Z |
215852(4) |
6768(0) |
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Farm unions |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004416337 1004416337 |
2021-02-02T14:00:46Z |
216297(445) |
6768(0) |
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Organisations |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004417330 1004417330 |
2021-02-02T14:06:45Z |
216780(483) |
6791(23) |
339(1) |
Farmer unions' demands |
Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Farm leaders have also rejected a government proposal of suspending the laws for 12-18 months. Eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 22 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
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Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Farm leaders have also rejected a government proposal, dated 21 January 2021, of suspending the laws for 18 months. Eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 22 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
The insistence of the farmers over repealing the farm laws has been noted extensively by the Indian media over the course of the protest. Even after the government offered to stay the farm laws for 18 months on 21 January 2021, the farmers refused.
Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004548535 1004548535 |
2021-02-03T03:48:21Z |
216777(-3) |
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The acts, often called the Farm Bills, have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also requested for the creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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The acts, often called the Farm Bills, have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also demanded for a creation of an MSP bill, to ensure that corporates can not control prices. The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004548917 1004548917 |
2021-02-03T03:52:03Z |
216861(84) |
6791(0) |
339(0) |
International |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004593384 1004593384 |
2021-02-03T11:09:57Z |
216867(6) |
6791(0) |
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Allegations of conspiracy |
As of 3 February 2021, the farmers' demands include:
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As of 5 February 2021, the farmers' demands include:
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004629442 1004629442 |
2021-02-03T15:53:55Z |
216853(-14) |
6791(0) |
339(0) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004647964 1004647964 |
2021-02-03T17:43:43Z |
216942(89) |
6802(11) |
339(0) |
Farmer unions' demands |
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with artisans (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.
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The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually lead to the deterioration and ultimately end the mandi system" thus "leaving farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with agricultural small-scale businessmen (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).
Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government in writing.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004675818 1004675818 |
2021-02-03T20:35:11Z |
216930(-12) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004746283 1004746283 |
2021-02-04T04:23:37Z |
216941(11) |
6803(1) |
339(0) |
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On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance.
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On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from laws curbing stubble burning and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004750013 1004750013 |
2021-02-04T05:02:45Z |
216896(-45) |
6803(0) |
339(0) |
Blocking of border and roads |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004750118 1004750118 |
2021-02-04T05:03:49Z |
216914(18) |
6804(1) |
339(0) |
Blocking of border and roads |
On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
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On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting the tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004751728 1004751728 |
2021-02-04T05:18:03Z |
218388(1474) |
6824(20) |
343(4) |
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Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Farm leaders have also rejected a government proposal, dated 21 January 2021, of suspending the laws for 18 months. Eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 22 January 2021; all were inconclusive.
On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting the tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
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Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Farm leaders have also rejected a government proposal, dated 21 January 2021, of suspending the laws for 18 months. Eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 22 January 2021; all were inconclusive. On 3 February, farm leaders warned of escalating the protest to overthrowing the government if the farm laws were not repealed.
On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004752978 1004752978 |
2021-02-04T05:31:01Z |
219136(748) |
6834(10) |
345(2) |
Social media |
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh, which has been shared on social media. Mr. Singh was interviewed and reported that he sustained injuries. A morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was criticized publicly as being propaganda.
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Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh. Fake news also circulated such as a morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was criticized publicly as being propaganda. Alternately, protestors wielding swords circulated on the media following the Republic Day protests; over 300 policemen were injured on the 26th.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004753714 1004753714 |
2021-02-04T05:39:48Z |
220045(909) |
6834(0) |
349(4) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004755557 1004755557 |
2021-02-04T06:01:45Z |
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351(2) |
Social media |
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In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004755782 1004755782 |
2021-02-04T06:04:19Z |
221570(66) |
6925(7) |
351(0) |
Social media |
In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.
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In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004757002 1004757002 |
2021-02-04T06:18:05Z |
221696(126) |
6927(2) |
352(1) |
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On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites.
In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers, and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathi charge to disperse them off.
In early Februaury, metal barricades, cement walls and iron nails were put up at the roads leading to the three main borders(Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur) to block any vehicles from entering Delhi. Barbed fences were also put up to prevent people from entering Delhi on foot.
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On 28 January, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort. At the Ghazipur border, the Ghaziabad administration imposed Section 144 and passed orders to vacate the protest sites. In a similar protest by the locals at the Singhu border on 29 January, they clashed with protesting farmers, and stones were pelted from both sides. Police used tear gas and lathi charge to disperse them off.
In early February, metal barricades, cement walls and iron nails were put up at the roads leading to the three main borders (Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur) to block any vehicles from entering Delhi. Barbed fences were also put up to prevent people from entering Delhi on foot.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004758269 1004758269 |
2021-02-04T06:30:52Z |
223622(1926) |
6937(10) |
353(1) |
Social media |
In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.
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In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India statement read:
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004758767 1004758767 |
2021-02-04T06:36:33Z |
223637(15) |
6937(0) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004772474 1004772474 |
2021-02-04T08:53:38Z |
224461(824) |
6962(25) |
355(2) |
Social media |
In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India statement read:
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In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe, Jamie Margolin,Elizabeth Wathuti. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, P. T. Usha, Manika Batra, Saina Nehwal, Geeta Phogat also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.
The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India statement read:
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004776692 1004776692 |
2021-02-04T09:41:41Z |
223870(-591) |
6962(0) |
355(0) |
Incidents of fake news |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004777309 1004777309 |
2021-02-04T09:48:23Z |
223913(43) |
6972(10) |
355(0) |
Kisan Parade |
At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police used tear gas and Baton charged the protesting farmers leading to clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police was forced to use tear gas to control the raging mob who were armed with swords and lathis leading to widespread clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004777680 1004777680 |
2021-02-04T09:52:06Z |
223917(4) |
6972(0) |
355(0) |
Incidents of fake news |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004779519 1004779519 |
2021-02-04T10:08:48Z |
222620(-1297) |
6991(19) |
355(0) |
Social media |
The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India statement read:
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The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004781337 1004781337 |
2021-02-04T10:19:43Z |
222577(-43) |
6981(-10) |
355(0) |
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police was forced to use tear gas to control the raging mob who were armed with swords and lathis leading to widespread clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police used tear gas and Baton charged the protesting farmers leading to clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
|
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004782110 1004782110 |
2021-02-04T10:28:06Z |
223661(1084) |
6981(0) |
356(1) |
Incidents of fake news |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004783260 1004783260 |
2021-02-04T10:40:02Z |
224697(1036) |
7045(64) |
358(2) |
Social media |
The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold.
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The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold. Greta Thunberg uploaded a document on Twitter on February 4 which guided protestors about protests and how to mobilise people against India. It contained actions taken till January 23, actions to undertake further, hashtags which trended and would trend and solidarity videos etc. She soon deleted the tweet saying document was "outdated" and uploaded another toolkit to support protests. It sparked a further row.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004785458 1004785458 |
2021-02-04T11:03:37Z |
224697(0) |
7046(1) |
358(0) |
Social media |
In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe, Jamie Margolin,Elizabeth Wathuti. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, P. T. Usha, Manika Batra, Saina Nehwal, Geeta Phogat also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.
The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold. Greta Thunberg uploaded a document on Twitter on February 4 which guided protestors about protests and how to mobilise people against India. It contained actions taken till January 23, actions to undertake further, hashtags which trended and would trend and solidarity videos etc. She soon deleted the tweet saying document was "outdated" and uploaded another toolkit to support protests. It sparked a further row.
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In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe, Jamie Margolin, Elizabeth Wathuti. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, P. T. Usha, Manika Batra, Saina Nehwal, Geeta Phogat also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold. Greta Thunberg uploaded a document on Twitter on February 4 which guided protestors about protests and how to mobilise people against India. It contained actions taken till January 23, actions to undertake further, hashtags which trended and would trend and solidarity videos etc. She soon deleted the tweet saying document was "outdated" and uploaded another toolkit to support protests. It sparked a further row.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004790071 1004790071 |
2021-02-04T11:47:32Z |
224883(186) |
7055(9) |
359(1) |
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police used tear gas and Baton charged the protesting farmers leading to clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police was forced to use tear gas to control the mob who were armed with swords and lathis leading to widespread clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004794410 1004794410 |
2021-02-04T12:25:07Z |
224697(-186) |
7046(-9) |
358(-1) |
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police was forced to use tear gas to control the mob who were armed with swords and lathis leading to widespread clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police used tear gas and Baton charged the protesting farmers leading to clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004794605 1004794605 |
2021-02-04T12:26:56Z |
227319(2622) |
7113(67) |
364(6) |
Response and reactions |
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After the 26th January tractor march where there were violent clashes between some protestors and the police, the police constructed cement barricades, dug trenches and cemented nails at all three borders where farmers continue to protest. The barricading and police has restricted movement of locals, farmers, as well as journalists to the protest sites. At ghazipur border, farmer leaders allege that water and electricity supply was cut off.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004795565 1004795565 |
2021-02-04T12:35:41Z |
227512(193) |
7122(9) |
365(1) |
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police used tear gas and Baton charged the protesting farmers leading to clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
|
At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police was forced to use tear gas to control the protestors who were armed with swords and lathis leading to widespread clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004798044 1004798044 |
2021-02-04T12:57:59Z |
227812(300) |
7149(27) |
366(1) |
Kisan Parade |
The protestors entered the Red Fort of Delhi, and one of the farmers was seen climbing a flagpole in front of the fort and hoisting the religious flag Nishan Sahib on the flagpole. The clash between police and farmers also caused damage to facilities inside the fort. 394 policemen and thousands of farmers were reported injured, 30 police vehicles were damaged and internet services were suspended for hours in several parts of Delhi and the NCR region. The police took hours in vacating the fort premises after continuous announcements and use of force.
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The protestors entered the Red Fort of Delhi, and one of the farmers was seen climbing a flagpole in front of the fort and hoisting the religious flag Nishan Sahib on the flagpole. The clash between police and farmers also caused damage to facilities inside the fort. The mob violence which occurred at Red Fort led to massive damage with the protestors having damaged and vandalised security cameras, ticket counters and ransacked administrative offices. 394 policemen and thousands of farmers were reported injured, 30 police vehicles were damaged and internet services were suspended for hours in several parts of Delhi and the NCR region. The police took hours in vacating the fort premises after continuous announcements and use of force.
|
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004798864 1004798864 |
2021-02-04T13:04:36Z |
224697(-3115) |
7046(-103) |
358(-8) |
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At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police was forced to use tear gas to control the protestors who were armed with swords and lathis leading to widespread clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
The protestors entered the Red Fort of Delhi, and one of the farmers was seen climbing a flagpole in front of the fort and hoisting the religious flag Nishan Sahib on the flagpole. The clash between police and farmers also caused damage to facilities inside the fort. The mob violence which occurred at Red Fort led to massive damage with the protestors having damaged and vandalised security cameras, ticket counters and ransacked administrative offices. 394 policemen and thousands of farmers were reported injured, 30 police vehicles were damaged and internet services were suspended for hours in several parts of Delhi and the NCR region. The police took hours in vacating the fort premises after continuous announcements and use of force.
After the 26th January tractor march where there were violent clashes between some protestors and the police, the police constructed cement barricades, dug trenches and cemented nails at all three borders where farmers continue to protest. The barricading and police has restricted movement of locals, farmers, as well as journalists to the protest sites. At ghazipur border, farmer leaders allege that water and electricity supply was cut off.
|
At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police used tear gas and Baton charged the protesting farmers leading to clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by Police.
The protestors entered the Red Fort of Delhi, and one of the farmers was seen climbing a flagpole in front of the fort and hoisting the religious flag Nishan Sahib on the flagpole. The clash between police and farmers also caused damage to facilities inside the fort. 394 policemen and thousands of farmers were reported injured, 30 police vehicles were damaged and internet services were suspended for hours in several parts of Delhi and the NCR region. The police took hours in vacating the fort premises after continuous announcements and use of force.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004799086 1004799086 |
2021-02-04T13:06:29Z |
227319(2622) |
7113(67) |
364(6) |
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After the 26th January tractor march where there were violent clashes between some protestors and the police, the police constructed cement barricades, dug trenches and cemented nails at all three borders where farmers continue to protest. The barricading and police has restricted movement of locals, farmers, as well as journalists to the protest sites. At ghazipur border, farmer leaders allege that water and electricity supply was cut off.
|
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004800106 1004800106 |
2021-02-04T13:15:35Z |
227326(7) |
7113(0) |
364(0) |
Incidents of fake news |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004809317 1004809317 |
2021-02-04T14:21:12Z |
227543(217) |
7146(33) |
364(0) |
Protests |
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
After the 26th January tractor march where there were violent clashes between some protestors and the police, the police constructed cement barricades, dug trenches and cemented nails at all three borders where farmers continue to protest. The barricading and police has restricted movement of locals, farmers, as well as journalists to the protest sites. At ghazipur border, farmer leaders allege that water and electricity supply was cut off.
|
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations lead mainly by minor opposition parties, in solidarity with Mandi middlemen & large scale farmers were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers lead by the middlemen also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by some gullible farmers.
Under the coordination of large scale farmers bodies lead primarily by the middle men from APMC mandi's such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
After the 26th January tractor march where there were violent clashes between some protestors and the police, the police constructed cement barricades, dug trenches and cemented nails at all three borders where farmers continue to protest. The barricading and police has restricted movement of locals, middlemen, farmers, as well as journalists to the protest sites. At ghazipur border, farmer-middlemen leaders allege that water and electricity supply was cut off.
|
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004813416 1004813416 |
2021-02-04T14:46:15Z |
227550(7) |
7146(0) |
364(0) |
Social media |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004827094 1004827094 |
2021-02-04T16:13:35Z |
227333(-217) |
7113(-33) |
364(0) |
|
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations lead mainly by minor opposition parties, in solidarity with Mandi middlemen & large scale farmers were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers lead by the middlemen also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by some gullible farmers.
Under the coordination of large scale farmers bodies lead primarily by the middle men from APMC mandi's such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
After the 26th January tractor march where there were violent clashes between some protestors and the police, the police constructed cement barricades, dug trenches and cemented nails at all three borders where farmers continue to protest. The barricading and police has restricted movement of locals, middlemen, farmers, as well as journalists to the protest sites. At ghazipur border, farmer-middlemen leaders allege that water and electricity supply was cut off.
|
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest.
In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers.
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee[note 1], the protesting farm unions include:
After the 26th January tractor march where there were violent clashes between some protestors and the police, the police constructed cement barricades, dug trenches and cemented nails at all three borders where farmers continue to protest. The barricading and police has restricted movement of locals, farmers, as well as journalists to the protest sites. At ghazipur border, farmer leaders allege that water and electricity supply was cut off.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004831434 1004831434 |
2021-02-04T16:36:29Z |
227273(-60) |
7105(-8) |
364(0) |
Academics |
Renowned Agricultural Economist,
Padm Shree Dr. Ashok Gulati, currently Infosys Chair at ICRIER has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction.
|
Agricultural economist Ashok Gulati has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004832996 1004832996 |
2021-02-04T16:45:34Z |
227274(1) |
7105(0) |
364(0) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004838124 1004838124 |
2021-02-04T17:13:57Z |
227291(17) |
7105(0) |
364(0) |
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Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farm leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Farm leaders have also rejected a government proposal, dated 21 January 2021, of suspending the laws for 18 months. Eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 22 January 2021; all were inconclusive. On 3 February, farm leaders warned of escalating the protest to overthrowing the government if the farm laws were not repealed.
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Farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and will not accept anything short of it. Farmer leaders have rejected a Supreme Court of India stay order on the farm laws as well as the involvement of a Supreme Court appointed committee. Farmer leaders have also rejected a government proposal, dated 21 January 2021, of suspending the laws for 18 months. Eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 22 January 2021; all were inconclusive. On 3 February, farmer leaders warned of escalating the protest to overthrowing the government if the farm laws were not repealed.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004839480 1004839480 |
2021-02-04T17:21:46Z |
228344(1053) |
7167(62) |
366(2) |
Counter-protests |
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar. On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling BJP and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
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The Shetkari Sanghatana, a farmers' union in Maharashtra supports the bills and wants the market to decide the prices of agricultural commodities. It claims that the minimum support prices have actually weakened farmers, instead of empowering them. The Sanghatana demands that the government stops intervening in the agricultural commodity market so that farmers will not have to depend on the minimum support prices.
On 14 December, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar.
On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, 5 of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling party and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004850102 1004850102 |
2021-02-04T18:27:45Z |
227793(-551) |
7167(0) |
366(0) |
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004873461 1004873461 |
2021-02-04T20:53:39Z |
227431(-362) |
7168(1) |
366(0) |
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.
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The 2020–2021 North Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004874447 1004874447 |
2021-02-04T21:00:08Z |
227202(-229) |
7136(-32) |
365(-1) |
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The 2020–2021 North Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that trade unions claim involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
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The 2020–2021 North Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest by North Indian farmers maily punjabi and Haryanavi farmers along with fringe elements sponsored by Pro khalistani members against three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. On 26 November a nationwide general strike took place,
On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are blackmailing to repeal the laws using violence . From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004888854 1004888854 |
2021-02-04T22:38:42Z |
227793(591) |
7167(31) |
366(1) |
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The 2020–2021 North Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest by North Indian farmers maily punjabi and Haryanavi farmers along with fringe elements sponsored by Pro khalistani members against three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. On 26 November a nationwide general strike took place,
On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are blackmailing to repeal the laws using violence . From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
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The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—notably from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dilhi Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the farmer unions using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November a nationwide general strike that trade unions claim involved approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, it was estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.
A section of farmer unions have been protesting, whereas the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million trucker drivers have come out in support of the farmer unions, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmer unions' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmer unions planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles.
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| Indian farmers' protest&oldid=1004894531 1004894531 |
2021-02-04T23:27:28Z |
227934(141) |
7186(19) |
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In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe, Jamie Margolin, Elizabeth Wathuti. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, P. T. Usha, Manika Batra, Saina Nehwal, Geeta Phogat also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold. Greta Thunberg uploaded a document on Twitter on February 4 which guided protestors about protests and how to mobilise people against India. It contained actions taken till January 23, actions to undertake further, hashtags which trended and would trend and solidarity videos etc. She soon deleted the tweet saying document was "outdated" and uploaded another toolkit to support protests. It sparked a further row.
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In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe, Jamie Margolin, Elizabeth Wathuti. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, P. T. Usha, Manika Batra, Saina Nehwal, Geeta Phogat also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold. On February 3, Greta Thunberg had uploaded a document on Twitter which guided protestors about protests and how to mobilise people against India and target Indian interests/Indian embassies abroad. It contained actions taken till then including actions on 26th January, actions to undertake further, hashtags which trended and would trend, celebrities who would be sympathetic to these protests and solidarity videos etc. She soon deleted the tweet saying document was "outdated" and uploaded another toolkit to support protests. It sparked a further row.
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In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe, Jamie Margolin, Elizabeth Wathuti. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, P. T. Usha, Manika Batra, Saina Nehwal, Geeta Phogat also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold. On February 3, Greta Thunberg had uploaded a document on Twitter which guided protestors about protests and how to mobilise people against India and target Indian interests/Indian embassies abroad. It contained actions taken till then including actions on 26th January, actions to undertake further, hashtags which trended and would trend, celebrities who would be sympathetic to these protests and solidarity videos etc. She soon deleted the tweet saying document was "outdated" and uploaded another toolkit to support protests. It sparked a further row.
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In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg, Jim Costa, Lilly Singh, Rupi Kaur, Russ, Mia Khalifa, Claudia Webbe, Jamie Margolin, Elizabeth Wathuti. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, P. T. Usha, Manika Batra, Saina Nehwal, Geeta Phogat also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold.
On February 3, Greta Thunberg uploaded a document on Twitter which allegedly guided protestors about protests and how to mobilise people against India and target Indian interests/embassies abroad. It contained actions taken up to 26 January 2021, future actions to undertake, hashtags which trended and would trend, celebrities who would be sympathetic to these protests and solidarity videos etc. She soon deleted the tweet saying document was "outdated" and uploaded another toolkit to support protests, sparking a further row. The Times of India reported an initial probe by the Modi government into the source of the toolkit Thunberg posted suggested it was put together by a Canadian pro-Khalistan organization based in Vancouver and that the toolkit had a plan to carry forward the "malign Indian campaign" even if the government repealed the laws. According to one official, "This showed how sinister the entire campaign was".
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