Indian farmers block highway on 100th day of protest
Indian farmers young and old gathered on Saturday to mark the 100th day of protests against agricultural reforms by blocking a six-lane expressway outside New Delhi.
Heading in cars, trucks and tractors to the highway, the farmers protested three agriculture laws that they say hurt them by opening up the agriculture sector to private players. They fear the reforms will leave them at the mercy of big corporate buyers and end the practice of assured government purchases. The government says the laws are needed to attract new investment.
Since December, tens of thousands of farmers have camped out in the bitter cold on the outskirts of the capital. Their movement has attracted support from celebrities ranging from singer Rihanna to climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Farmers say they won’t give in until their demands are met.
"The government has to listen, whether it is today or tomorrow. As far as 100 days of protests are concerned, we won’t budge even if it is 1,000 days.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi painted the protests as politically motivated, and his government has lashed out at supporters of the protests. One protester died at a tractor rally on January 26, and police filed criminal charges against eight journalists for allegedly misreporting on the events of that day.
