Following their rejection of a government offer on agricultural prices, which prompted an offer of further discussions, thousands of farmers attempted to stage a protest march to Delhi on Wednesday but were dispersed by Indian police using tear gas and water cannons.
The farmers, who are primarily from Punjab in the north, have been requesting legally-backed increases in price for their produce. They are a significant voting group. Ahead of the May general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot afford to lose his temper.
The farmers, some with surgical masks, fled the tear gas and smoke clouds by running into the fields that surrounded their meeting spot on a highway some 200 km north of New Delhi, the capital.
More tear gas shells were shot upon them by police as they attempted to reorganize. Video clips on local media from another protest site roughly 100 kilometers distant showed farmers pointing a hose pipe of water at the police while they used water cannons.
The police action coincided with a fresh proposal from Modi’s administration to reopen negotiations over farmers’ demands for guaranteed crop prices.
“The government is ready to discuss all the issues,” Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda posted on social network X.
“I again invite the farmer leaders for discussion. It is important for us to maintain peace.”
Leader of the farmers Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters they will talk on the best course of action.
The previous government proposal for five-year contracts and guaranteed support prices for produce including corn, cotton, and pulses was rejected on Monday by the farmer’s associations.
