A group of about 40 local residents has gathered several times recently to show their support for farmers back in their homeland of India.
“We are raising our voice against bills that the Indian government has passed against Indian farmers,” said organizer Amandeep Singh.
For weeks, farmers in India have been protesting new laws put in place by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi with tens of thousands of farmers marching to New Delhi.
Supportive protests like the one in Castlegar have popped up across Canada and around the world.
“Under the new laws, a minimum support price (MSP) is not guaranteed,” explained Singh.
“If MSP is withdrawn they will not be able to survive, pushing them into more debt and poverty and eventually will end up in selling their farms at lower prices to private corporations.”
“Farmers are protesting not because of any agenda but simply to save their lives,” said Singh.
“Our main occupation is farming back in India and this is why we want to show support by initiating this protest for our farmers.”
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betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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