Hundreds of Indian farmers gathered in New Delhi on Saturday (January 30) to start a one-day hunger strike.
Authorities blocked mobile internet services in several areas of the capital after a week of violent clashes.
Farmers are irritated by the new agricultural laws that they say benefit large private food buyers at the expense of producers.
Earlier this week, a planned parade of tractors on the anniversary of Republic Day turned violent.
When some protesters broke up, they broke down barricades and clashed with the police, who used tear gas to try to contain them.
One person died and hundreds were injured.
Agricultural leaders said today’s hunger strike was planned to coincide with the anniversary of the death of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi and would show Indians that the demonstrations were not violent.
“We are not going to hide behind the force of violence. Until the three laws are removed, we will not leave here. “
Tens of thousands of farmers have been camped out in protest places outside the capital for more than two months.
India’s Interior Ministry said on Saturday that internet services at three locations had been suspended until Sunday night to “maintain public safety”.
Video transcription
– Hundreds of Indian farmers gathered in New Delhi on Saturday to start a one-day hunger strike. Authorities blocked mobile internet services in several areas of the capital after a week of violent clashes. Farmers are furious about new agricultural laws that they say benefit large private food buyers at the expense of producers.
Earlier this week, a planned parade of tractors on the anniversary of Republic Day turned violent when some protesters broke up, broke down barricades and clashed with police who used tear gas to try to contain them. One person died and hundreds were injured. Agricultural leaders said today’s hunger strike was planned to coincide with the anniversary of the death of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi and would show Indians that the demonstrations were not violent.
[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
INTERPRETER: We will not hide behind the force of violence. Until the three laws are removed, we will not leave here.
– Tens of thousands of farmers have been camped at protest sites on the outskirts of the capital for more than two months. India’s Interior Ministry said on Saturday that internet services at three locations had been suspended until Sunday night to maintain public safety.