Two months into their ongoing protest against three contentious farm laws, the protesters on Tuesday undertook a tractor rally to the national capital. Things however took a problematic turn with many of the protesters indulging in violence and vandalism. According to the Delhi Police, several hundred officials have been injured in the altercation, and multiple cases have been filed.
Following the clashes, many of the farm leaders have denounced the violence strongly. Bharat Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait for example warned that those who "created violence and unfurled flags at Red Fort" would have to "pay" for their actions. "Some people will have to leave this place immediately. Those who broke barricading will never be a part of the movement," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
At the end of Tuesday, the protesters had begun moving back to their earlier position - along Delhi's borders. And according to reports, their plans to hold a second rally on February 1 has been put on hiatus. According to an India Today update that quotes a farmer involved in the protests, there will be no march to Parliament on Budget Day. Reportedly, the Unions are holding a meeting to discuss this, and a decision is likely to be available by the end of the day.
Ahead of the tractor rally, on Monday, the farmers had revealed their intention to hold a foot march towards the Parliament. "On February 1, we will march on foot towards Parliament in Delhi from different locations." Krantikari Kisan Union chief Darshan Pal was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
However, in the wake of Tuesday's violent clashes, there have been several developments. The wishes of the protestors aside, a new march also presents logistical problems owing to the simple fact that security has been heightened in Delhi, and permissions are likely to become harder to obtain.