Thousands of farmers are protesting today in Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh against farm bills that were recently passed in parliament amid massive protests by the opposition, and will soon become law.
Protesting farmers blocked the highway and even parked tractors on roads to block traffic. Security has been tightened at state borders.
The protests, which started in the morning, have led to huge traffic jams on roads leading to Delhi.
Opposition parties like the Congress, DMK, Aam Aadmi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Trinamool Congress are supporting the protests. At least 10 central trade unions have also joined the protesters.
The government says the bills - passed amid what the opposition called "murder of democracy" - will help farmers get better prices for their produce by allowing them to sell directly to markets anywhere in the country, at prices they choose. Farmers, however, fear the loss of Minimum Support Price (MSP) or the assured price for their crop from the government, and the entry of private players.
In Bihar, which will vote in weeks, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav took part in a tractor rally. In visuals shared by news agency ANI, he could be seen driving a tractor down a main road in Patna as a large crowd of farmers, marshalled by armed policemen, marched alongside.
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill were passed by the Parliament earlier this week.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protest:
Maharashtra BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday hit out at the Congress and other opposition parties at the Centre for opposing the farm sector bills that were passed in the Parliament.
He said the Congress's stand on the issue was nothing but "double standards" as it was "out of power".
As the protests against farm bills escalate, Ayodhya-Lucknow Highway has been blocked during today's protest.
