In a continued standoff with the government, Indian farmers have escalated their protests, burning effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other officials. The farmers, mainly from Punjab, are demanding higher prices for their crops and have been met with force from security forces.
The ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, an attempt to reach the capital, was halted 200km away, with water cannons and tear gas used against the protesters. Undeterred, farmer leaders have announced “mega programmes” across India, including a “Black Day” protest, a tractor rally on Feb 26, and a farm workers’ meeting in Delhi on March 14.
Black flags adorned tractors at the protest site, where effigies of PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Haryana’s chief minister were burnt. Protesters, many Sikhs from Punjab, tied black cloth over their turbans in solidarity.
The protest took a tragic turn with the death of a protester, sparking further outrage. Sartaj Singh, a police officer, confirmed the death at a protest site, with the cause pending autopsy. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced compensation, but farmer leaders rejected it, demanding a murder case be registered first.
“We will have a meeting in the evening to decide next steps (regarding the march),” farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters.
Amnesty International has condemned the protester’s death, emphasizing the right to peaceful assembly. “The price of protest must not be death,” said Aakar Patel, chair of Amnesty International India. With a general election looming in May, tensions are high as farmers continue their fight for fair prices.
