In an astonishing escalation of an ongoing protest by farmers, a tense standoff occurred at the Delhi border on December 6, with clashes erupting between police and the protesting farmers that included reports of usage of tear gas, barricades, and stone-pelting on some police officials.
The farmers–mainly from Punjab and Haryana–have raised their voices in unanimous dissent against some recent government policies on agriculture, which they believe threaten their livelihoods.
The confrontation started when hundreds of farmers attempted to break barricades erected by Delhi Police to enter the national capital. Again, the police used tear gas to disperse the masses; the chaotic situation was witnessed at the Shambhu border between Haryana and Delhi. Some reports also mentioned the protesters pelting stones at the officers.
The farmers criticize this as an act of brute force to suppress peaceful protests, while the police officials justify it by saying they were disrupting public order and preventing unauthorized entry into Delhi.
Underlying Issues
The immediate issues at the core of the protests center around agricultural reforms that the protesting farmers allege are torturing the small farmers only to benefit the big corporations while trying to chip away at the minimum support price (MSP) system.
The farmers have demanded abolishment of these controversial laws, demanding a legally guaranteed MSP for their crops instead.
The government, for its part, says the reforms seek to modernize agriculture, expand market access, and raise farmers’ incomes. The two groups had held several meetings, but none had yielded any results.
The protests are attracting a lot of attention from the national and international political parties, activists, and organizations in support of the farmers. The ongoing vendetta has caused transport blockade and huge delays in logistics within northern India, as highways and raised enormous cost for inter-State trade movements.
Government’s Response
In a late-night press release, government officials reiterated their willingness to consult farmers regarding their grievances. However, the farmers made it clear that talk simply would not do- they demanded actionable responses, along with the homily of the shabby laws.
The Supreme Court of India, watching the impasse drag on, suggested forming a panel to mediate between the two sides. However, farmer unions have expressed skepticism over such measures, saying that they did not trust government-led initiatives.
As the farmers continue to bring their tractors and other vehicles towards Delhi, the grit they have shown displays deep-rooted frustration over policies they see as unjust. Simultaneously, greater mobilization on both sides seems likely in the coming days, with the government facing great pressure to act before the crisis expands even further.
