By Kaveesha Fernando
NEW DELHI, India (CWBN)_Â As local and international pressure increases against the Indian government to repeal the controversial farming laws passed this September, it appears that Indian farmers have now caused road closures at various locations in India.
The unrest, caused by outraged Indian farmers who feel the new laws will deregulate the market and leave them at the private sector’s mercy, has been mounting on several fronts. Political opposition has repeatedly asked the government to repeal the laws. The Indian diaspora’s participation in the protests has garnered international attention, and the strike has also caused economic and logistical issues, the most recent of which involves the transport sector.
Roads to India’s capital New Delhi were blocked for the better part of the day on Tuesday (December 8), while demonstrations continued to increase all across the nation, barring access to everything from businesses to transport facilities. The protest has already made international headlines and gained support from political leaders worldwide; Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s comments in support of the protest received a sharp rebuke from India recently.
Several rounds of discussions were held by the Indian government in an attempt to placate the farmers; the latest round is underway today. Yesterday’s discussions were fruitless, but both sides agreed to continue talks today.
The coronavirus pandemic has not made things easier for Indian farmers, who already have one of the highest farmer suicide rates in the world. The issue has also become important during the recent Indian State Assembly elections; the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seen success at elections largely due to relief schemes and hand-outs they have been offering farmers (and other disadvantaged populations).
