Recent Indian farmers' protest

The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest was a protest against three farm acts that were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. The acts, often called the Farm Bills, have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition who say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also demanded the creation of a minimum support price (MSP) bill, to ensure that corporates cannot control the prices. The union government, however, maintains that the laws will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation. Related endemic legacy issues include farmer suicides and low farmer incomes. Despite India being largely self-sufficient in foodgrain production and having welfare schemes, hunger and nutrition remain serious issues, with India ranking as one of the worst countries in the world in food security parameters.

Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmers— notably from Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana— began a movement named 'Dilli Chalo' (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farmers marched towards the nation's capital. Police and law enforcement used water cannons and tear gas to prevent the farmers from entering Delhi. On 26 November, a nationwide general strike that reportedly involved approximately 250 million (250,000,000) people took place in support of the farmers according to the trade unions that organised the protests. On 30 November, India Today estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.

Over 50 farmer unions have been protesting, whereas government claims some farm unions have come out in support of the farm laws. Transport unions representing over 14 million truck drivers have come out in support of the farmers, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the government did not accept the farmers' demands during talks on 4 December, the farmers planned to escalate the action to another India-wide strike on 8 December 2020. The government offered some amendments in laws, but unions are asking to repeal the laws. From 12 December, farmers took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles. By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions related to removing blockades created by protestors around Delhi. The court also intends to take forward the negotiations with the various bodies of protesting farmers. Also, the court asked the government to put laws on hold, which they refused.

In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things. These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20th and 22nd of September, the three bills were rushed through the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote - ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts.

These acts are as follows:

1. Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act: expands the scope of trade areas of farmers produce from select areas to "any place of production, collection, and aggregation." Allows electronic trading and e-commerce of scheduled farmers' produce. Prohibits state governments from levying any market fee, cess or levy on farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for trade of farmers’ produce conducted in an 'outside trade area'.
2. Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act: creates a framework for contract farming through an agreement between a farmer and a buyer prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce. It provides for a three-level dispute settlement mechanism: the conciliation board, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, and Appellate Authority.'
3. Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act: allows for the center to regulate certain food items in the course of extraordinary situations like war or famine. Requires that imposition of any stock limit on agricultural produce be based on price rise.

The farm unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage voluntary electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with arhtiyas (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).

Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.

Among the demands is the removal of punishments and fines for stubble burning as well as release of farmers arrested for burning paddy stubble in Punjab.

As of 21 December 2020, the farmers' demands included:

1. Convene a special Parliament session to repeal the farm laws
2. Make minimum support price (MSP) and state procurement of crops a legal right
3. Assurances that conventional procurement system will remain
4. Implement Swaminathan Panel Report and peg MSP at least 50% more than weighted average cost of production
5. Cut diesel prices for agricultural use by 50%
6. Repeal of Commission on Air Quality Management in NCR and the adjoining Ordinance 2020 and removal of punishment and fine for stubble burning
7. Release of farmers arrested for burning paddy stubble in Punjab
8. Abolishing the Electricity Ordinance 2020
9. Centre should not interfere in state subjects, decentralization in practice
10. Withdrawal of all cases against and release of farmer leaders

On 19 November 2021, the union government decided to repeal the bills, and both houses of Parliament passed the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 on 29 November. Following the announcement of the repeal of the farm laws, farmer unions continued with the demand for guaranteed minimum support prices (MSPs), reminding the government of the aim of doubling farmers' income by 2022; and the 2004 MS Swaminathan–headed National Commission on Farmers reports. The Supreme Court appointed committee report was released by a committee member on 21 March 2022.

The 2024 Indian farmers' protest is the second round of continuous protests and road blockades initiated by farmers in the northern states of Punjab and Haryana on 13 February 2024, primarily located at Punjab's Shambhu border. The main requests of the protests include securing legal assurance for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops and complete forgiveness of loans for all farmers.