‘Republic Day’: Indian farmers ride caravan of tractors into New Delhi

(REUTERS): Marking a symbolic protest against the three contentious farm laws, caravans of tractors clogged a key highway in northern India on Monday ahead of celebrations for Republic Day.

According to details, loudspeakers blared anti-government songs as the lengthy procession of vehicles rolled down National Highway, accompanied by dozens of community kitchens to hand out meals and beverages in the winter cold.

“We will teach Modi a lesson that he will never forget,” said one of the protesters, from the district of Ludhiana in Punjab. India marks its founding as a republic on Tuesday with a military parade in the historic city centre, but the farmers plan their own peaceful show of strength.

Farmers have blockaded approaches into New Delhi for about two months to protest against three new farm laws. Their unions are pushing for repeal of the laws, after rejecting a government proposal to suspend the measures.

Several rounds of talks with Modi’s government have made little headway, and protesters now aim to up the ante with the procession set to follow Tuesday’s military parade.

At the weekend, police said they would allow at least 12,000 tractors to traverse a 100-kilometre (62-mile) stretch around the capital, despite some intelligence warnings of possible efforts to disrupt the farmers’ peaceful rally.