Thousands of farmers marched through the streets of the capital, chanting slogans and flashing flags, to press their demands like debt relief and remunerative prices for their produce and were joined by social activists and leaders of non-BJP parties in a show of strength near Parliament in New Delhi.
The farmers, who had gathered from various States and camped at the Ramlila ground overnight, started their march around 10.30 a.m. amid heavy policy deployment, only to be stopped at the Parliament Street police station.
The government came in for severe criticism for "not implementing a single major initiative for farmers in the past four and a half years".
(With inputs from PTI)
Around 35,000 farmers from across the country have converged near Parliament Street Police station in the national capital on November 30.
Leaders including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Loktantrik Janata Dal's Sharad Yadav, National Conference's Farooq Abdullah, CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury, CPI's Sudhakar Reddy and D. Raja, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed the rally.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the farmers rally. Mr. Kejriwal hit out at PM Modi over farmers' issues and alleged that he had "stabbed them in their back" by not fulfulling the promises made to them.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi at the farmers rally. "The farmers of India are not asking for a free gift, they are only asking for their rights and what is due to them. The prime minister said he will provide remunerative prices to farmers, bonus and increased MSP, but the situation today is you pay for insurance and it goes into the pocket of Anil Ambani. Farmers cannot even decide which company's insurance to buy," Mr. Rahul said.
A participant holds skulls during the Kisan rally.
A farmer wearing an animal mask takes part in the march.
Women participants at the Kisan Mukti March on November 29.
Farmers at the Ramlila Maidan on November 29, on the the eve of their march to Parliament Street.
Farmers from different States at the rally in New Delhi on Friday. These farmers are from Bhil and Pawara community of Maharashtra.
Food being prepared for the participants of the Kisan Mukti March.
An old man rests after the rally.
Street vendors sell wares to protesting farmers in New Delhi on Friday. Sushil Kumar Verma
