Dozens of people gathered in New Sudbury last Saturday to stand in solidarity with Indian farmers protesting new agriculture laws.
Farmers across India fear the legislation will dismantle regulated markets and stop the government from buying wheat and rice at guaranteed prices. They are calling for the government to repeal the laws and retain mandatory government purchases, among other demands.
The group in Sudbury held a car rally. Badhesha Karanbir Singh helped organize the event.
“Most of our community members here in Sudbury are from India and their families are struggling in India,” Singh said prior to the start of the rally. “This protest is meant to soothe the hearts of us living here. We just want to be involved. It helps us feel connected to our roots back in India.”
Similar rallies are being held across Canada, Singh said.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen in India, but we are showing our support,” he said. “In this globalized world, we don’t know where the food we eat comes from. Maybe the bread you ate this morning, perhaps the wheat was exported from India. We want to make the community more aware of the situation, and to maybe increase the appreciate for the work farmers do each and every day.”
Farmers in India are striking after five rounds of talks between the farmers and the Indian government failed to produce any breakthroughs. Farmer leaders have threatened to intensify their agitation and occupy toll plazas across the country if the government doesn't abolish the laws.
The two sides were scheduled for more talks this week.
The Indian government said the purpose of the legislation is to bring reform that will allow farmers to market their produce and boost production through private investment.
