Indian farmers protest new laws with road block

Описание: (6 Mar 2021) Thousands of Indian farmers blocked a massive expressway on the edges of New Delhi on Saturday to mark the 100th day of protests against controversial agricultural laws.
Farmers burned effigies and chanted slogans against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Thousands have hunkered down outside New Delhi's borders since late November to voice their anger against three laws passed by parliament last year.
The legislation is unclear on whether the government will continue to guarantee prices for certain essential crops — a system that was introduced in the 1960s to help India shore up its food reserves and prevent shortages.
Farmers also fear that the legislation signals authorities are moving away from a system in which an overwhelming majority of farmers sell only to government-sanctioned marketplaces.
They worry this will leave them at the mercy of corporations that will have no legal obligation to pay them the guaranteed price.
Modi's government says the laws are necessary to modernize agriculture, but farmers say they will be pushed into poverty.
Ranjot Singh, a protesting farmer from Haryana said the Modi government was "delusional" and by clashing with farmers over the new laws, risks his political career.
But others are now ready to accept the regulations. Pawan Kumar, a fruit and vegetable grower and ardent Modi supporter, said he was ready to give them a chance.
Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmers have failed to end the stalemate.
The farmers have rejected an offer from the government to put the laws on hold for 18 months, saying they want a complete repeal.

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