Farmers’ protest: Protesters to resume Delhi march over crop prices

Indian farmers, currently protesting, have announced their plans to resume their march towards the capital city of Delhi this week, following the rejection of a government proposal to purchase certain crops at fixed prices under a five-year agreement.

Last week, the protestors began their march, only to be stopped approximately 200 kilometres (125 miles) away from Delhi.

Subsequently, farmer leaders engaged in discussions with government officials regarding their grievances.

However, on Monday night, they declared that the proposal put forth by the government was “not conducive to their interests”.

The government had suggested procuring pulses, maize, and cotton at specified floor prices—referred to as Minimum Support Price or MSP—through cooperatives over a five-year period.

Nonetheless, the farmers insist on a “legal guarantee for MSP on all 23 crops”.

“We appeal to the government to either resolve our issues or remove barricades and allow us to proceed to Delhi to protest peacefully,” Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a farm union leader, told local media.

They say they will resume marching from Wednesday.