Why tens of thousands of Indian farmers are protesting again

By KRUTIKA PATHI
Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — Tens of thousands of Indian farmers are protesting for guaranteed crop prices, renewing a movement that succeeded in getting contentious new agricultural laws repealed in 2021. They began marching toward the capital New Delhi earlier this week, but their efforts have been blocked by police so far. Authorities are determined to avoid a repeat of the earlier protests, in which the farmers camped outside New Delhi for over a year. Farmer groups say they are resuming their protests because the government has failed to meet key demands, such as guaranteed crop prices, a doubling of farmers’ income and loan waivers. The protests come just a few months before elections where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to secure a third successive term.