Angry Indian Farmers Are ‘Ready to Die’ in Showdown With Modi
- Tens of thousands demand repeal of new agricultural laws
- Protesters say they are prepared to stay on streets for months
This article is for subscribers only.
As India’s virus numbers swell and the economy stumbles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has another crisis to deal with: Tens of thousands of angry farmers vowing to camp outside the capital for months.
The farmers -- mostly from Punjab, often called India’s bread-basket -- want him to repeal three laws passed in September that allow them to sell crops directly to private firms instead of licensed middlemen at state-controlled markets. While Modi has said the laws will help them earn more cash, farmers fear those companies won’t give them minimum prices set by the government.