JAKARTA - Indian farmers plan to hold a tractor parade to New Delhi. This action is part of the agricultural reform protests that have been held in recent times.
The wave of protests heated up after a meeting between the government and farmer representatives could not find common ground. According to Reuters, at least six meetings were held with zero conclusions.
"Hundreds of farmers will launch a tractor parade to New Delhi to voice our grievances against the new law," said Kamal Preet Singh Pannu, leader of the Sanyukta Kisan Andolan (Peasants Union Protest), one of 30 groups opposed to reform.
"The government wants to discredit and destroy our movement, but we will continue to protest peacefully," said Pannu.
Local authorities are stepping up security measures. They deployed police and put up barricades to prevent farmers from entering New Delhi in large numbers. Opposition parties and several senior Indian economists also lent support to the movement.
"I have now studied the draft new agricultural reform in India and realize that it is flawed and will cost farmers," tweeted Kaushik Basu, former chief economic adviser to the federal government.
“Our agricultural regulations need to be changed, but the new law will ultimately serve the interests of companies more than farmers. Hats off to the sensibility and moral strength of Indian farmers, "said Basu.
Previously, agricultural reforms were implemented last September by the Indian government. The rule removes any market protections around selling, pricing and storing agricultural produce that could have protected farmers from the free market for decades.
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