The India government will sit down Thursday with farmers' representatives to discuss new agricultural laws the workers claim will destroy their livelihoods.
More than 300,000 India farmers marched on Delhi to protest the passing of the laws. The government said it was willing to negotiate and scheduled a meeting Thursday.
Apart from the revision of the new laws, farmers are also making other demands such as the removal of fines for stubble burning.
More than 300,000 India farmers marched toward Delhi to protest the passing of new agricultural laws that they claim will destroy their livelihoods. The protesters set up camps along the roads leading to the capital city demanding they be heard.
Farmers, mostly from the states of Haryana and Punjab, said they were willing to stay in their camps for months if necessary if their demands are not met. Five important roads are now blocked by makeshift tents - making it difficult for traffic in and out of Delhi.
Some protesters attempted to reach the center of the city but were stopped by barricades and barbed wire. Police officers were reportedly forced to use tear gas and water cannon to hold the crowd.
The government passed new legislation that will deregulate crop pricing. This included the removal of guaranteed minimum crop prices. Demonstrators said the new laws would leave them at the mercy of large companies who will likely use deregulated prices to their advantage.
Lawmakers argue that the new legislation is meant to give farmers more autonomy when it came to the prices of their crops. Farmers' unions are demanding the government repeals the law - which they claim is "anti-farmer" and "pro-corporation."
"I took part in this protest to the Delhi border because the central government has sold out the farmers with these new laws, which did not have any consultation or input from farmers. If they are passed then the farmers' rights will be finished," one protester told reporters.
Protesters have reportedly brought enough food and supplies to last them for up to three months. One protester said that he was ready to endure the cold winter to fight for their rights.
