Protesting Farmers Flood India’s Capital, Storm Historic Fort

Enlarge this image

Protesting farmers riding tractors shout slogans as they march to the capital during India’s Republic Day celebrations on Tuesday in New Delhi.

Altaf Qadri/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Altaf Qadri/AP

Farmers and their supporters hoist flags over the historic Red Fort monument in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Dinesh Joshi/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Dinesh Joshi/AP

Tuesday’s violence happened on Republic Day, a national holiday marking 71 years since India’s post-colonial constitution took effect. The centerpiece of the holiday is a traditional military parade, over which Modi presided.

Farm unions had obtained permits for their tractor brigade, which was supposed to be held after the military parade. But some tractors deviated from the convoy route agreed upon with the government and broke through police barriers early.

Clashes broke out in which some farmers attacked empty buses set up as barricades. Police fired tear gas and water cannons and beat farmers with lathis — bamboo rods used by police in South Asia. Authorities temporarily cut off Internet access in some parts of the capital.

At least one farmer reportedly died.

Last week, the Indian government offered farmers a deal: an 18-month suspension of the three agriculture laws until a permanent compromise could be reached. But farm unions refused, demanding a permanent repeal of the laws.

After nightfall Tuesday, those unions called off the tractor rally. Farmers climbed down from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

But they did not go home. They returned only to their protest camps, on the outskirts of Delhi — from which they’re planning another march on the capital in less than a week.

• New Delhi
• farmers
• Indian