22 Farmers Die during India Protests

At least 22 farmers died, Friday, during protests in India that lasted for three weeks, according to a spokesman for the Farmers' Union, who is leading the demonstration.

The farmers, including the elderly, women, and children  lost at least 22 of their people who had been part of the protests and died of various causes.

Seven farmers died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, while  Six have died at the Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who shot himself on Wednesday. In addition to at least nine have died in road accidents on route to the protest venues from their villages or while returning back from the protest sites, according to the protest leaders.

The farmers' protest which has been going on for nearly a month now is turning out to be one of the biggest and toughest of its kind demonstrations India has seen in a long time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to clear the air on the farm laws, as it have been facing stiff opposition from farmers who have been surrounding the borders of Delhi.

“Farm laws have not been introduced overnight. Over last 20-30 years, Central government and state governments had detailed discussions on these reforms,” Modi stated, addressing Madhya Pradesh's farmers at the 'Kisan Kalyan' event in Raisen. “ Agriculture experts, economists and progressive farmers have been demanding reforms.”

“I request all political parties with folded hands, please keep all the credit. I'm giving credit to all your old election manifestos,” Modi added. “ I just want ease in the life of farmers, I want their progress and want modernity in agriculture.”

Thousands of farmers gathered, opposing anti-farmer and pro-corporate laws introduced by the Modi government.

Farmers will converge at Nasik on December 20, marching on December 21 led by Dr Ajit Nawale, secretary of the Maharashtra unit of All India Kisan Sabha.

They  will be joined by AIKS national president Ashok Dhawale at the borders of the capital, where the protesting farmers have been camping.

"The farmers’ march from Nasik to Mumbai had brought down the arrogance of then Bharatiya Janata Party government in Maharashtra,” Dhawale told NewsClick. “Now, it’s time for the Modi government. No other government in the history of India has fired tear gases on farmers and drenched them in the middle of winter. But these tricks have failed and farmers are still on the outskirts of Delhi."

"There will be no compromise on the fundamental demands of this agitation. The government can come up with any trick to buy time, but farmers have lots of patience,” he added. “We will peacefully protest until anti-farmers laws are scrapped."