India's farmers to resume march to Delhi from today
Thousands of Indian farmers are gearing up to resume their march towards the capital, Delhi, to advocate for minimum price guarantees for their crops.
This comes after the suspension of their protest at the end of February, prompted by the tragic death of a young farmer during the demonstrations.
To deter the farmers' march, Delhi's borders have been fortified with heavy barricades, and a substantial police presence has been deployed. The resumption of farmers' protests adds a layer of complexity as India approaches general elections, considering farmers as a significant voting bloc.
Analysts suggest that the federal government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would be cautious not to alienate this influential group so close to the polls.
Earlier in February, when the farmers' protests recommenced, the government engaged in talks with unions to prevent their march from the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. However, discussions broke down on at least three occasions, as the authorities struggled to meet all the farmers' demands.
In addition to seeking assured pricing for their crops, farmers are advocating for pensions for the elderly and urging the government to alleviate their debt burden. On the designated day, as per the call made by two farmers' unions, participants from across the country plan to converge in Delhi using public transport, including metros and buses.
Furthermore, the farmers have issued a call for "rail roko," a temporary halt to train services, for four hours on March 10. The evolving situation underscores the persistent challenges and demands driving the farmers' protest movement.
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