JAKARTA - Tens of thousands of Indian peasants are again taking to the streets of New Delhi with their tractors to reject the Agricultural Reform Law (UU). The peasants embarked on this action to coincide with Republic of India Day which fell on Tuesday, January 26.
Launching Reuters, the peasants who took part in the action came from various states. They seem to fill the streets of New Delhi with ornate tractors.
There are also farmers who carry the Indian flag complete with the flag of their farmer union. "We will follow our leaders' instructions and hold a peaceful march," said a 30-year-old protester from Punjab in Singhu, Sukhjinder Singh.
Previously, nine rounds of talks between the two sides - the government and the farmers - had yet to produce an agreement. Likewise with the government's offer to postpone the agricultural reform law for 18 months.
The delay did not satisfy the peasants. They want the Agricultural Reform Law to be repealed immediately, not postponed its implementation.
"The peasants' organizations have a very strong grip," said Ambar Kumar Ghosh, an analyst at the New Delhi-based think tank Observer Research Foundation.
“They have the resources to mobilize support, and continue the protests for a long time. They have also been very successful at keeping the protests really focused, "he added.
Meanwhile police have allowed farmers to gather along an approved route for a massive rally on Indian Republic Day. But the tractor action appears to threaten the annual military parade that is common on Indian Republic Day.
"They (farmers) can choose another day besides January 26, but they have announced it now," said Indian Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
"Carrying out peaceful actions without accidents will be the concern of farmers and the police administration," he said.
Meanwhile, at the heart of the dispute is a new law, which the government says will overhaul the failed sector by deregulating agriculture and eliminating state intermediaries. But Indian farmers believe the changes will only benefit big companies.
Therefore, the fate of farmers will be even more heartbreaking. Tens of thousands of farmers have blocked major highways in India for nearly two months. Indian farmers do not seem to have retreated one bit from their stance, despite the rain, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the life-threatening cold weather.
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