With negotiations between the government and the farmers' unions at a standstill, the protests don't appear to be ending anytime soon. Why are the farmers protesting the new laws? According to Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the umbrella body representing protesting farmers, at least 147 farmers have died during the protests due to causes including suicide, road accidents and exposure to cold weather. Government leaders have failed to reach any agreement or compromise with leaders of more than 30 farmers' unions despite months of negotiation. Several days later, the government announced that it was willing to suspend the laws for another 12 to 18 months, while it worked with farmers' unions to seek a long-term compromise.

Source: The Nation February 11, 2021 00:45 UTC