Jan 26, 2021 - World

Indian police fire tear gas at rallying farmers on tractors in capital

Rebecca Falconer

Farmers ride through the smoke of tear gas fired by the police as farmers continue to protest against the central government's recent agricultural reforms in New Delhi on January 26 — Farmers ride through the smoke of tear gas fired by the police as they protest the Indian central government's recent agricultural reforms in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of Indian farmers burst through barricades and police tear gas to protest farming laws in New Delhi, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepared to lead Republic Day celebrations Tuesday, per the BBC.

Why it matters: The tractor rally that the central government tried and failed to stop is the culmination of a months-long protest over the new laws deregulating India's agriculture, which have embarrassed Modi, the New York Times notes. Farmers say the laws drive down crop prices and benefit big corporations.

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Indian police fire tear gas at rallying farmers on tractors in capital

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