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New Delhi | August 2025
The farmers are back. Nearly four years after the massive 2021 protests shook the nation, thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh have once again gathered at Delhi’s borders. Their demand: a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all crops.
Why Farmers Are Protesting Again
The government had earlier promised a committee to look into MSP reforms. But with no concrete law in sight, farmers’ unions accuse the Centre of betraying their trust. Rising input costs, crop losses from floods, and falling mandi prices have only sharpened their anger.
“Without MSP, we cannot survive. We want a law, not promises,” says Baldev Singh, a farmer leader from Punjab.
The Agitation on the Ground
- Farmers have set up tents, kitchens and medical camps at Singhu and Tikri borders.
- Tractor convoys from Haryana and Punjab continue to pour in.
- Internet restrictions have been imposed in some protest sites to maintain order.
Authorities have deployed heavy police forces and barricades, determined to prevent a repeat of 2021’s chaotic scenes.
Why MSP Matters
MSP is the minimum rate at which the government buys crops from farmers. Currently, it is declared for 23 crops, but procurement happens mainly for wheat and paddy. Farmers argue that without a legal guarantee, they remain vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen and corporate buyers.
Government’s Response
Union Agriculture Minister has urged farmers to return home, promising that talks are open. The government says making MSP a legal right could distort markets and strain fiscal budgets. However, farmer groups insist that food security and farmer survival are more important than economic theories.
Public Reaction
The protests have reignited memories of 2021, when farmers camped for over a year, forcing the government to repeal controversial farm laws. This time, social media is buzzing with hashtags like #MSPGuarantee and #FarmersProtest2.0, drawing widespread attention.
Parting Thoughts
As tractors roll back to Delhi’s borders, the standoff between farmers and government is once again testing India’s democracy. Whether the demand for a legal MSP turns into another year-long agitation—or leads to a breakthrough—will decide not just the future of farmers, but also the political landscape of 2025.
