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India sees the biggest protest in history

Farmers' Protests - Level 4

A protest in India could be the largest in human history. Tens of thousands of farmers took to the streets of India's capital city to protest about new laws. Another 250 million people from a cross-section of society joined a 24-hour general strike. They came from all walks of life. They wanted to show solidarity with the farmers. The size of the protest made the government meet the protesters face-to-face rather than call in the police.

India's farmers are furious about agricultural reforms that will shake up India's farming society. Farmers are accusing the government of ignoring them for the benefit of big agri-business. Their protests around Delhi look like a blockade of the city. A farmers' union said: "We will block rail tracks if our demands are not met." It said agriculture was too important to play party politics with. The government said it was optimistic about finding a compromise.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Farmers' Protests - Level 5

A protest has taken place in India that could be the largest in human history. Tens of thousands of farmers went to India's capital city to voice concerns about new legislation. This number is nothing out of the ordinary for a protest. However, up to 250 million people from a cross-section of society joined in a 24-hour general strike. The protestors came from all walks of life to show solidarity with the farmers. The scale of the protest made the government change its tactics. It met the protesters face-to-face. Protests are usually met with a show of force from the police.

India's farmers are up in arms about of three reforms of the country's agriculture industry. They will cause great upheaval to India's farming society. Furious farmers are on the streets. They are accusing the government of selling them out for the benefit of big agri-business. They have set up protest camps around Delhi. It looks like a blockade of the city. A farmers' union said: "We will block rail tracks if our demands are not met." It said agriculture was too important to play party politics with. The agriculture minister said he was optimistic about finding a compromise.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Farmers' Protests - Level 6

A huge protest has taken place in India in what could be the largest demonstration in human history. Tens of thousands of farmers descended on the capital New Delhi to voice concerns about new farming legislation. This number is nothing out of the ordinary for a demo. However, history was made when up to 250 million people from a broad cross-section of the subcontinent joined in a 24-hour general strike. The protestors came from all walks of life to show solidarity with the farmers. The scale of the protest forced the government to meet the protesters face-to-face. The numbers made the government change its tactics somewhat, as marches are usually met with a show of force from the police.

India's farmers are up in arms about the enactment of three laws to "reform" the country's agriculture industry. The laws represent a radical upheaval of India's agrarian society. Furious farmers are venting their anger on the streets. They are accusing the government of selling out millions of India's agricultural workers for the benefit of big agri-business. They have set up protest camps around Delhi in what looks like a blockade of the city. A farmers' union representative said: "We will block rail tracks if our demands are not met." He said agriculture was too important for governments to play party politics with. Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar said he was optimistic about finding a compromise.

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson