Thousands of farmers in India to do "Tractor Prade on 26 January"

Indian farmers on Friday rejected a proposal by the government to postpone three controversial agrarian reform laws for a year and a half, warning that they would stop the protests if the government seek to repeal the laws and guarantee minimum crop prices. Farm leaders said that hundreds of farmers from neighboring states, including Haryana, Punjab, and western Uttar Pradesh, would drive tractors in New Delhi during the Republic Day national holiday on January 26, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi would join the parade of military forces.

Although some former government officials have expressed concerns that the protests may turn violent, leaders said they would remain peaceful. They urged the police to allow the convoy to enter the capital.

The 11th round of talks between government officials led by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and already forty agricultural leaders on Friday was inconclusive.

The peasants remained adamant on their demands while the government urged them to consider their proposal for deliberations to address their concerns after defying the laws.

"There is a stalemate as the government reiterates its offer to defer laws, which is not acceptable." Darshan Pal said that a farmer leader told reporters after the meeting.

The Modi government has said that the laws introduced in September will remove farmers from the obligation to sell produces only in regulated wholesale markets. But farmers say that the bills are designed to benefit private buyers.

Tomar said that the government is committed to reforms. If (agricultural leaders) agree with our proposal, we can meet tomorrow.

Hundreds of farmers have been camping on the national capital's outskirts for nearly two months, blocking some roads connecting New Delhi to neighboring states.

Supporting the farmers, the main opposition Congress party said that the government had shown "insensitivity and arrogance" towards the farmers and urged them to accept their demands.