Tear Gas
NEW DELHI: Indian security forces resorted to firing tear gas on Tuesday as thousands of farmers, seeking minimum crop prices, attempted to march towards the capital, New Delhi, following failed talks with the government.
The clash occurred near Ambala, approximately 200 kilometers north of the capital, where thick clouds of tear gas were used to disperse the protesters. Police had strategically placed metal spikes, cement, and steel barricades on highways leading to the capital from three neighboring states, creating a formidable blockade.
Ranjay Atrishya, assistant commissioner of Delhi Police, confirmed the deployment of maximum personnel to manage the situation. Meanwhile, public gatherings of more than five people were prohibited in the capital. The farmers, a significant political force in India due to their sheer numbers, are demanding legislation to establish a minimum price for their crops and seeking other concessions, including debt relief.
Columns of tractors were seen moving towards the capital from the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The farmers’ call for a “Delhi Chalo” or “March to Delhi” echoes similar protests in January 2021 when farmers breached barricades and entered the city on Republic Day. These demonstrations are a renewed challenge ahead of national elections, expected to commence in April.
India’s agricultural sector involves two-thirds of its 1.4 billion population and contributes nearly a fifth to the country’s GDP. In November 2021, a year after prolonged protests against agricultural reform bills, Prime Minister Narendra Modi repealed the contentious laws, addressing a key demand of the farmers.
The 2020 protests, lasting over a year, had been the most significant challenge to Modi’s government since it took office in 2014, resulting in makeshift camps and the loss of at least 700 lives.
The ongoing struggle reflects the deep-seated issues faced by Indian farmers, including poverty, debt, and the impact of climate change on crops, leading to thousands of suicides annually.
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