New Delhi: The farmer protest in India is a year-long agitation by farmers against three farm laws passed by the central government in 2020. The farmers have been demanding the repeal of the laws and the legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. The protest has seen several rounds of talks between the government and the farmer unions, as well as mass rallies, road blockades, and hunger strikes by the farmers.
The latest update on the farmer protest is that the farmers have temporarily halted their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, which was aimed at reaching the national capital to intensify their agitation, after the fourth round of talks with the Centre on Sunday, February 18, 2024. The Centre proposed a new scheme for MSP, in which the government agencies will buy pulses, maize and crops at MSP for the next five years. The farmers said they will review the proposal for the next 48 hours and decide their next course of action. They expressed hope that their demands will be met within this timeframe; otherwise, they will resume their march on February 21 at 11 am.
The farmer protest has been one of the largest and longest-running protests in India’s history, attracting support and solidarity from various sections of society, as well as international attention and criticism. The protest has also faced challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the harsh weather conditions, the police crackdown, and the misinformation campaigns. The farmers have vowed to continue their struggle until their demands are fulfilled.
