US backs Indian farmers, as Delhi targets creators of ‘protest toolkit’ shared by Greta Thunberg
- While the protest has been largely peaceful, a recent bout of violence and vandalism led authorities to cut off power and internet access, among other measures
- Meanwhile, New Delhi police have filed a case against ‘unknown persons’ over a digital toolkit on how to support the protests
Criticism of the Indian government’s handling of farmers’ protests, which have lasted for weeks, grew on Thursday, with the US publicly backing the protests and opposition lawmakers expressing shock at the way the protesters have been treated.
Tens of thousands of farmers, largely from Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh states, have been living for more than two months on highways at the borders of New Delhi, after they were stopped from entering in November to protest a set of new farm laws.
Their protest has been largely peaceful. However, a group resorted to violence and vandalism after breaking through barricades and entering the capital on January 26, India’s Republic Day.
Farmers leaders condemned the violence, but did not call off the protest.
Local authorities have since then fortified barricades with concertina wire and dug trenches on roads leading to major protest sites. They also disconnected electricity supplies and suspended internet services, according to farmers’ unions.
