2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
Following the announcement of a "complete boycott of Chinese goods" during the 2020 Diwali season; figures released by The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) showed that the season "gave China the expected loss of ₹40,000 crore (US$5.6 billion)". Various initiatives were taken across the country to stop the sale of Chinese goods during the festive season, and in turn replace it with Indian products. A survey found out that "71 per cent of respondents (out of 14,000) stated that they had consciously refrained from purchasing made in China items".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
By March 2021, Huawei was back into the Indian market with another deal worth ₹300 crore (US$42 million) from Bharti Airtel. Supposedly Bharti Airtel decided to go ahead since Huawei was already looking after Airtel's long-distance networks. By August 2021, Chinese apps, including those from companies that had been banned, were back in the Indian cyberspace.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
On 8 August, the Business Today reported that mainland China's exports to India since January 2020, amidst the boycott calls, had fallen 24.7 per cent year-on-year according to the Government of India's customs data. It was also reported that the share of Chinese smartphones companies in the Indian market fell to 72 per cent during the June quarter 2020 from 81 per cent in the March quarter 2020." However, an article in The Hindu attributed the decline largely to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India, with imports from China rising back to nearly pre-lockdown levels in July. On 9 September, the Financial Express reported that the "Border clash fails to dampen India-China trade" and that there was a "surge in exports" from India to China.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Kashmir, Ladakh and Arunachal
On 6 September, the Hindustan Times reported that social media posts were being shared of how locals from Chushul and Merak villages are helping to supply water and other essential to the Indian Army, including front-line areas such as Black Top.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Kashmir, Ladakh and Arunachal
On 17 June, following the Galwan clash, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah tweeted, "Those Kashmiris tempted to look towards China as some sort of saviour need only google the plight of Uighur Muslims. Be careful what you wish for...". He deactivated his Twitter account following the tweet. Khalid Shah, an Associate fellow at ORF, writes that at large the Kashmiri population has "left no stone unturned to mock the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Chinese belligerence." Stone pelters in Srinagar used slogans such as "cheen aya, cheen aya" (transl.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Kashmir, Ladakh and Arunachal
China has arrived, China has arrived) to make fun of the Indian security forces while a joke going around is "cheen kot woat?" (transl. where has China reached?). Memes show Xi Jinping dressed in Kashmiri attire with others showing him cooking wazwan. Khalid writes that while China has become a part of many conversations, online and offline, India should be worried that "Chinese bullying is compared to the actions of the Government of India". Following the tensions with China, communication lines had been cut in Ladakh in places along the border causing a communication blackout, resulting in local councillors requesting the government for the lines to be restored.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Kashmir, Ladakh and Arunachal
Following the Galwan clash former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki told The Economic Times that "After the ugly face-off in Ladakh on Monday night, it is only natural that the residents of the border villages of Arunachal Pradesh will have some worries". Prem Das Rai, a former member of Parliament, says that it is but natural that those along the borders will be concerned.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Wartime gallantry awards to members of Indian military
In January 2021, the Indian government decorated six Indian Army personnel for bravery during the Galwan clash ("Operation Snow Leopard"). One posthumous Maha Vir Chakra, the second-highest wartime gallantry decoration, and five Vir Chakras (four posthumous decorations) were awarded.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping was reported to be under no public pressure to respond to the border tensions with India, even after the Galwan incident. Reuters reported that "Beijing's response also points to its interest in de-escalating a crisis over a stretch of border that is less politically important than other territorial priorities, such as claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
Long Xingchun, a senior research fellow at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, wrote on 25 May that "unlike previous standoffs, the latest border friction was not caused by accident, but was a planned move of New Delhi. India has been clearly and definitely aware that the Galwan Valley region is Chinese territory."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
On 26 May, Xi Jinping, during an annual meeting of PLA representatives urged the military "to prepare for the worst-case scenarios" and "to scale up battle preparedness." (He had mentioned "battle preparedness" during his meeting with the PLA in 2019 as well). Furthermore, he said that the COVID-19 pandemic had brought a profound change on the global landscape about China's security and development.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
Following the Galwan clash, on 20 June, the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi posted a written diplomatic protest "demanding India to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident [...] (and) strictly discipline Indian front-line troops..." On 25 June 2020, in an interview to the Press Trust of India, Ambassador Sun Weidong said that "the incident was completely instigated by the Indian side and the responsibility does not lie with the Chinese side." With regard to the number of Chinese casualties in the Galwan clash, Hu Xijin, the editor of the daily tabloid Global Times, tweeted "Based on what I know, Chinese side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash" but attached no numbers with it.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
In August, China arrested a neitizen for spreading "rumours" related to the Galwan clash and PLA deaths. He was arrested for writing that poor quality military vehicles manufactured by Dongfeng Off-road Company resulted in the deaths of the PLA soldiers. His arrest was noted in Chinamil.com (a Chinese Ministry of Defence website). A News18 report said that a number of voices, a growing "murmur", from the Chinese diaspora, showing dissent online has grown. The article mentions Deng Yuwen, Hu Ping and Wang Qianqian's comments about the border dispute, the strength of China's alliance with Russia, and infighting.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
In an interview to The Guardian, Cai Xia, expelled from the CCP on 17 August 2020, said that the recent India-China border clash and "provoking conflict" elsewhere was part of Xi's way to "divert the attention of the Chinese public" from "domestic economic and social tensions" as well as "to consolidate his own position and authority". On completion of 100 days of the tensions Ambassador Sun Weidong said that the "onus [is] 'not on China' to resolve [the] border standoff".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
Liu Zongyi, the secretary-general of the Research Centre for China–South Asia Cooperation at Shanghai Institute of International Studies, in an interview on 21 September 2020, said that the Indian Army is nibbling away at Chinese land. He gave the example of Hot Springs near Dêmqog as being Chinese territory and said that it was under Indian control as China did not respond fast enough to "India's nibbling". Zongyi also accused India of having "secretly built roads during the night and at times [developing] roads at a speed of one to two kilometres per day."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
Zongyi called it an implementation of a "forward policy" or "offensive defensive" policy. He linked the border tension to Hindu nationalism and added that India was becoming a "leading anti-China force", even more than the United States. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, on 29 September, once again said that China does not recognise India's union territory of Ladakh, objects to Indian infrastructure construction and that reports of new military bases being built by China were false and motivated.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
Following the first ban on Chinese apps, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian as well as the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, Ji Rong, made statements raising concern over the ban. Further, China warned India on 31 July 2020 that a "forced decoupling" of the economies of both countries will only result in both economies getting hurt, a lose—lose situation.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
Following the Indian governments fourth ban list in November, the Chinese Embassy in India stated, "[...] These moves in glaring violation of market principles and WTO rules severely harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," while Zhao Lijian said that "the Indian government has the responsibility to [...] protect the lawful rights and interests of international investors including Chinese companies."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China
On 19 February 2021 and onwards Chinese state media portrayed the deaths of four soldiers. On 31 May 2021, a Chinese blogger Qiu Ziming, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for questioning PLA losses in Galwan. The portrayal of the four deaths as well as appearances on state-media by the regimental commander Qi Fabiao continued to the first anniversary of the event. On 3 August 2021, China released two short videos on the social media in relation to clashes in 2020.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, China, Wartime gallantry awards to Chinese soldiers
On 19 February 2021, Chinese revealed that 4 PLA soldiers who had been killed in the Galwan clash as well as the regimental commander were honoured.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, International, Protests
Small-scale protests against China's actions along the Indo-China border were held in Canada, the United States and Japan. Tibetan-American, Taiwanese-American, and Indian-American held a rally at Times Square in New York raising placards with slogans such as 'Boycott China', 'Tibet stands with India' and 'Stop Chinese Aggression'. On 10 August 2020, a small scale protest against Chinese aggression was held by Indian-Americans at National Mall facing the United States Capitol in Washington. The protesters also praised India's move to ban Chinese apps and highlighted the plight of the  Uyghurs.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, International, Governments
Tibet: President Lobsang Sangay made statements related to the border clashes, saying that "what happened to Tibet could happen to India" and that "the Indian government should make Tibet one of the key issues in its policies on China".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, International, Commentary
An editorial was published in the Taipei Times titled, "Taiwan must stand with India" on 19 June 2020. The article analysed the India China border clashes; and ended saying "Taiwan should deepen ties with India, in particular economic, military and intelligence ties, to contain Chinese expansionism and put Xi back into his box."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, International, Commentary
The European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) wrote on 7 August 2020 that India's reaction to Chinese aggression has "surprised China". In a previous commentary in early July, EFSAS stated that China should realise that if it forces India into a corner, India will join "the ever growing comity of nations that seek to compel China to adhere to the norms of the international order and abide by the rule of law", irrespective of India wanting or not wanting to walk down that path. In early September, EFSAS stated that India's tactical responses in Ladakh left "China stuck in quicksand of its own making."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, International, Commentary
On 19 September 2020, an article in the Nikkei Asian Review and the Hindustan Times noted that in 2020 while the world was busy watching the US and China conduct military exercises in the South China Sea from July through September, a distraction, "Beijing was engaged in a real-life standoff with India in the Himalayas".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, International, Commentary
A survey of over 1,000 Americans (reported on 1 September 2020) found that, "over 63 per cent of Americans support neither China nor India if they were to engage in a military conflict. In the case of an economic conflict, 60.6 per cent of respondents supported no interference."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, International, Commentary
On 9 September 2020, Japan and India signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement. Australia and India signed a similar Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) on 4 June 2020. With this, India has military logistics sharing pacts with all partners of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
In June, media reports started emerging of India losing the information and perception war to China. China's information warfare focused on trying to portray India as the aggressor and at the same time used the state media to repeatedly emphasize China's economic and military power. An article in the New Indian Express on 17 July 2020 stated that Indian soldiers felt that "India, with its muted approach, allowed China to dominate the narrative." Pakistan has helped China in the information war against India.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
Tara Kartha, a former director in the National Security Council Secretariat of India, in August 2020, wrote on China's psy–ops and propaganda during the skirmishes. She noted China's use of "strong media messaging" such as videos of "the swift mobilization of troops by air and train from Hubei province to the Indian borders". She points out that the troops were from the Wuhan area (a sub-provincial city of Hubei), the original epicenter of the coronavirus and that the "swift mobilization" would also mean the troops weren't acclimatized for the high altitude battleground of eastern Ladakh.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
Another video was of the deployment of Z-10 attack helicopters; Kartha notes that the original Z-10 has "underpowered engines (which make) it unsuitable for high altitudes" and that even Pakistan preferred American and Turkish aircraft rather than the Chinese variants.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
Kartha also mentions other attempts of propaganda by China, including reports of deploying karate fighters, capabilities of is naval prowess, 'power messaging' by Xi such as his directive to PLA to get ready for war, the usage of "wolf warriors" such as Hou Yanqi, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal; while statements directed at keeping friendly relations, especially with the business community of the world are made by other senior officials such as China's Foreign Minister. Hindustan Times noted that most of the psy-ops tactics utilised by the PLA during the Doklam stand-off are being seen here again. India Today noted that the PLA have also conducted firing drills at locations from where the Indian troops can hear the sounds.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
Chinese media have given little to no attention to the dispute and have downplayed the clashes. In the first month of the standoff, there was only a single editorial piece in the China Daily and the People's Daily. The People's Daily and the PLA Daily did not cover the Galwan clash while the Global Times (Chinese) carried it on page 16. The state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) carried the official military statement on social media with no further coverage.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
The Global Times ran a number of opinion pieces and one editorial which questioned why China did not disclose its death toll publicly. China analyst Yun Sun explained that while there may be very little information in the English media of China about the border dispute, there is much more analysis in the Chinese language media. The Chinese media however welcomed Prime Minister Modi's 19 June statement.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
The Global Times quoted Lin Minwang, a professor at Fudan University's Center for South Asian Studies in Shanghai, as saying that "Modi's remarks will be very helpful to ease the tensions because as the Prime Minister of India, he has removed the moral basis for hardliners to further accuse China". In late June China blocked access to all Indian media and newspaper websites.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
In India, before the 15 June clash, some Indian media persons and defence analysts downplayed the extent of the Chinese incursions. However following the 15 June clash at Galwan nearly all mainstream newspapers carried front-page stories as well as multi-page stories of the Galwan incident. Following the clash, Times Now published a list that it said contained the names of the Chinese soldiers who were killed in the clash but cautioned that the information "could be a fake forward"; multiple sources subsequently said that it was fake news.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
Another list reported by Indian media that was said to also show Chinese soldiers who were killed in action was described by Chinese spokesperson Zhao Lijian as fake news. Ahead of the commanders' meeting on 6 June, disinformation campaigns were reportedly run by Chinese state-controlled media as well as corporations. The Chinese broadcasters showed military manoeuvres along the border, reportedly designed to frighten India. Following the Galwan clash, international coverage in The New York Times and The Guardian commented on the "nationalistic" character of the leaders of both countries and the "dangers posed by expansionist nationalism". The BBC described the situation in Galwan as "an extraordinary escalation with rocks and clubs".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In media
There was a large extent of fake news in relation to border events from both Indian and Chinese handles. In the social media space, Chinese users used Pakistani memes against India. It was reported that Indian users had difficulty in understanding Chinese language memes meant to attack India. A Taiwanese image of Rama slaying a dragon was viral in the Indian social media sphere. TikTok was reported to have given "shadow bans" to videos related to the border tension. Statements from India were removed from Chinese social media companies such as Weibo and WeChat.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In popular culture
On the first day of Losar, 12 February 2021, Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsundue, began a 500 kilometer walk from Dharamshala to New Delhi. Tsundue has cited the Galwan Valley clash as one of the reasons and triggers for his march, other than the main goal of asking India to revisit its one China policy.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, In popular culture
The pre-look trailer for the web series 1962: The War in the Hills starts with a passing mention of the 2020 standoff; the web series is inspired by the events at Galwan Valley during the 1962 war.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes
The 2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes are clashes between Sudan and Ethiopia together with Amhara militants and Eritrea in the disputed border region of al-Fashaga (an area of Sudan east of the Atbara River and South of the Tekeze River). Since 2008 Ethiopia has dropped all claims to the al-Fashaga as long as Sudanese allowed Ethiopian farmers and militants to stay in the area undisturbed. With the outbreak of the Tigray War, Sudanese forces were able to move into the region due to an agreement with Ethiopia just three days before. When the Amhara militants left to assist the federal government in the war, Sudanese forces started to drive out the Ethiopian farmers, including the Amhara, effectively breaking the 2008 compromise. Ethiopia has also accused Sudan of killing Amhara farmers.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes
The clashes first began in the Abu Tyour area along the Ethiopia–Sudan border on 15 December 2020 when Amhara militants allegedly backed by the Ethiopian government ambushed several Sudanese military officers, killing 4 of them. Since then, Sudan has recaptured most of the disputed border. Despite it still being legally Sudanese territory the Amhara region has called Sudanese deployment an invasion and has said that al-Fashaga belonged to Ethiopia's Amhara region. Abiy Ahmed has made statements supporting that claim. Because of Sudan kicking out the Amhara militants, Sudanese farmers have begun to cultivate their land for the first time in 25 years. The Amhara militants have also been killing Sudanese farmers.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Background
In 1902, British-ruled Sudan and the Ethiopian Empire signed a treaty to properly demarcate the border, but it failed as some areas along the border were left unresolved. In both the 1902 and a later 1907 treaty the international boundary runs to the east which means the land of al-Fashaga is Sudanese but Ethiopians had already settled the area and had already been cultivating there along with paying taxes to the Ethiopian government.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Background
After the Eritrean–Ethiopian War Ethiopia and Sudan began long-dormant talks to settle the exact location of their 744 km-long (462 miles) border. With the most difficult area to agree on being the al-Fashaga region.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Background
In 2008, they reached a compromise. Ethiopia agreed to the al-Fashaga region being a part of Sudan but Amhara farmers would still be allowed to continue living there undisturbed. Tigrayans farmers in the northern regions of al-Fashaga were also allowed to stay there.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Background
Once the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was removed from power in 2018, Amhara Region leaders whose sub-national territory Fashaga is located in condemned the deal as a secret bargain and said they were not properly consulted when the deal was made.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Prelude
At the start of the Tigray War, the head of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council, Lt. General Abdel Fattah, dispatched over 6,000 soldiers to the Ethiopian border as part of an agreement reached with Ethiopia on 1 November 2020 to prevent Tigrayan rebels from using Sudan as a supply route (who would attack Ethiopian bases just two later.) With Sudanese troops finally being deployed to the border, the 2008 compromise was practically dissolved.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Prelude
And once the Amhara militants were re-deployed to Tigray to help the federal government, the Sudanese soldiers started began removing potentially thousands of Amhara and Tigrayan farmers from the region. The Sudanese troops would make rapid progress in consolidating their hold on the disputed territory. On 2 December, the Sudanese Armed Forces occupied the Khor Yabis area, controlled by Ethiopia for 25 years, expelling Ethiopian militants without a fight. Three days later, Sudan would deploy the Sixth Infantry Division to al-Fashaga to take control of Jebel Tayara, Gallabat locality. Sudan would continue to penetrate deeper into al-Fashaga by the second week of December.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2020
On 15 December, Ethiopian militants, allegedly backed by the Ethiopian government, ambushed several Sudanese troops killing an officer and three soldiers. Later that day, the Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said that the armed forces of Sudan were prepared to "repel" the military aggression. Already dealing with a war in the north, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tried to calm the situation by tweeting, "Such incidents will not break the bond b/n our two countries as we always use dialogue to resolve issues."


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2020
Tensions increased when Sudan started mobilising soldiers to the contested border and by New Year's day, it claimed to have recaptured all villages in the region. In response, Ethiopian military chief General Birhanu Jula Gelalcha said, "Our military is engaged elsewhere, they took advantage of that. This should have been solved amicably. Sudan needs to choose dialogue, as there are third party actors who want to see our countries divided."


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2020
On 28 December, Sudan claimed to have captured the villages of  Asmaro, Lebbaki, Pasha, Lamlam, Melkamo, Males, Ashkar, Arqa, Umm Pasha Teddy. In total it captured 11 settlements that Ethiopian militias were controlling. Sudan also claimed to have captured the town of Lilli from Amhara forces and militias. Lilli is home to Amhara militia commanders, major traders and farmers. In total, over a thousand Ethiopian farmers live there.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
On 3 January, Sudan captured 45 Amhara militiamen who had crossed into Sudan. Sudanese deputy army asserted to restore al-Fashaga, that had been occupied by Ethiopians of the Amhara ethnic group.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
Ethiopian militiamen kidnapped three Sudanese merchants from the Basanda area of El-Gadarif state on 30 January after penetrating seven kilometres inside Sudanese territory, and set their motorcycle on fire. The Sudanese military deployed additional reinforcements after the kidnapping. Armed relatives of the abductees tried to enter the Ethiopian town of Metemma, but were persuaded to withdraw. The merchants were later released after payment of a ransom.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
On 14 February, Sudan said Ethiopian soldiers crossed into its territory. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Sudan had been plundering and displacing Ethiopian citizens since 6 November 2020 and that the Sudanese army should evacuate the area that it has forcefully occupied. Ethiopia has also accused Sudan of crossing into its territory.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
On 20 February, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Eritrean forces had entered into the al-Fashaga region with Ethiopian forces. Four days later on 24 February, Eritrea denied the involvement of its forces in the tensions on the Sudanese-Ethiopian borders. Stating that it wished for a peaceful solution to the conflict and that his government understands Sudan's position regarding its right to extend its sovereignty over its land.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
On 23 February, Ethiopia asked Sudan to withdraw its troops from the disputed border area before peace talks could begin. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Dina Mufti, said that Ethiopia does not want to enter into conflict with Sudan again. He also said that Ethiopia wished to return to the 2008 compromise which would allow Ethiopian troops and civilians enter region undisturbed. Finally Mufti said there was a third party who pushed Sudan to enter into conflict with Ethiopia. The same day Sudan stated that it would not withdraw its troops from the border region and said the deployment of the Sudanese army on the border strip with Ethiopia is a final and irreversible decision.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
On 2 March, Sudanese army continued to push in the last Ethiopian stronghold of Bereket in the disputed border region of al-Fashaga against Ethiopian-backed forces. In the meantime, Sudan claimed Eritrean forces were helping the Ethiopians.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
Sudan closed the Gallabat-Metemma border crossing with Ethiopia on 3 April, two days after Ethiopian militiamen attacked Sudanese customs officials in presence of the Ethiopian military. Walid Ahmad al-Sajjan, commander of the Fifth Brigade of the Sudanese Armed Forces in Umm Barakit, stated on 8 April that the Sudanese military had retaken 95% of the disputed al-Fashaga region from Ethiopia.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
On 13 April, Sudan released 61 Ethiopian soldiers it had captured and handed them to the Ethiopian government through the Gallabat border crossing.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
Three children of the Fellata tribe were kidnapped by Ethiopian militias from an area near Gallabat and Metemma on 23 July. Sudanese captain Bahaa El-Din Youssef, commander of the Gallabat Military Region, was later captured while pursuing the militia behind the kidnapping. Meanwhile, the military build-up continued on the border and Sudan closed the Gallabat border crossing with Ethiopia on 24 July.


2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes, Clashes, 2021
Sudan's military stated on 26 September that Ethiopian forces had tried to capture the Umm Barakit area a day earlier, but were forced to withdraw after being confronted by it.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis
The 2020–2021 Georgian political crisis started after the 2020 Georgian parliamentary election. The opposition accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of election fraud and did not recognize the results. They announced protests and parliamentary boycott. The opposition held a rally on November 1, a day after the elections, and called for snap parliamentary elections. On November 2, the eight opposition parties refused to enter parliament. In February 2021, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia resigned over plans to arrest opposition leader Nika Melia, which occurred on 23 February.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, Protests
On November 1, a day after the parliamentary elections, the opposition parties and civil society organizations accused Central Election Commission of falsifying the election results in favour of the ruling Georgian Dream party and started protesting the alleged election fraud. During the protests the United National Movement majoritarian candidate for Gldani constituency Nika Melia took off the monitoring bracelet which he was obliged to wear by the court after being charged with organizing, managing or participating in group violence during the 2019 protests and released on bail, saying that "this is the symbol of injustice".


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, Protests
On 3 November 2020, all eight opposition parties who received the parliamentary mandates signed a joint statement renouncing their seats in the parliament. They also boycotted the second round of election and called on voters to abstain. 12 other opposition parties, who were unable to enter the legislative body also joined the agreement.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, Protests
Following parties and coalitions signed the agreement: United National Movement, European Georgia, Alliance of Patriots, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Lelo for Georgia, Girchi, Citizens, Labour Party, Republican Party, State for the People, European Democrats, Law and Justice, United Georgia, Tribune, Victorious Georgia, For the Justice, Free Democrats, Freedom, Free Georgia, Christian Democratic Movement.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, Protests
The oppostion held daily rallies and performances in Tbilisi and the regions. On November 8, the rallies were held in Tbilisi, Batumi, where many people were mobilized, calling on the Georgian Dream to hold repeat elections. Georgian Dream members said that the election was fair and competitive and it was not rigged. The international organizations also recognized the election results. A large-scale rally was held on November 14 as well as on November 17-18, when US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Georgia. On November 26 the Prime Minister of the Georgia Giorgi Gakharia announced a large-scale two-months-long nationwide restriction plan starting from November 28 to slow a second wave of resurgent COVID-19 outbreak in the country. After that, the rallies were stopped and negotiations have already started.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, Negotiations
After the November 8 rally, the government of Georgia began negotiations with the opposition. Several rounds of talks were held as early as November but the parties failed to reach an agreement. Negotiations continued in December. International organizations were involved in the talks this time. Certain issues were agreed upon, but some were still unresolved. At the same time, the President of Georgia chose December 11 as the date for the new parliament to hold first session.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, Negotiations
The Georgian Dream wanted to agree on negotiations by this time, but it failed, and the parliament of the 10th convocation started working unilaterally. After that, the opposition again refused to enter parliament. At the same time, the representatives of the opposition asked the parliament to cancel their mandates, which meant that the opposition would not be in the parliament until the new elections, i.e. until 2024.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, End of unilateral boycott
The year 2020 ended in such a way that none of the opposition MPs entered the parliament. On 5 January 2021, four businessmen from the Alliance of Patriots proportional list entered the Parliament replacing the top three on the party list – Irma Inashvili, Giorgi Lomia and Gocha Tevdoradze, whose requests to annul their parliamentary mandates had been granted by the Parliament the day before. They launched the European Socialists, which became the first opposition party in the 10th convocation of the Georgian Parliament.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, End of unilateral boycott
Following the European Socialists, the Citizens party, which recently found itself at odds with the rest of the boycotting opposition, began separate negotiations with the ruling party and agreed to quit the opposition's boycott and enter the Parliament after having signed electoral reform deal with the Georgian Dream. The decision of the Citizens was criticized by other opposition parties. Most of the opposition continued to boycott and demand new elections. The ruling party stated that the suspension of MP status for other opposition legislators would be voted on only after the fifth round of election talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, Arrest of Nika Melia
After parliament did not suspend mandates for opposition lawmakers on February 1, the opposition called the Georgian Dream "a weak and coward party" that feared the consequences. Meanwhile, the court increased the bail for Nika Melia, the chairman of the UNM, after he took off a monitoring bracelet on November 1. Melia refused to pay bail, despite numerous warnings about the violation of law. On February 17, the court sentenced him to imprisonment. Nika Melia himself was in the UNM office and called on the people to support him, asserting that his prosecution was politically motivated.


2020–2021 Georgian political crisis, Arrest of Nika Melia
The international organizations called on the Georgian Dream not to take further steps to avoid more polarization. The supporters mobilized near the UNM office. On February 18 Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia resigned, saying that he could not agree with the Georgian Dream that it was not right time for Melia's detention and that the rivalry inside the country poses serious threats of destabilisation. The Ministry of Internal Affairs decided to postpone the operation, but only temporarily after the situation was neutralized. On February 23, the police stormed the UNM office and arrested Melia. The opposition renewed the rallies. The political crisis deepened even more.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak
In 2020 and 2021, an ongoing outbreak of Avian influenza subtype H5N8 has been occurring at poultry farms and among wild bird populations in several countries and continents, leading to the subsequent cullings of millions of birds to prevent a pandemic similar to that of the H5N1 outbreak in 2008. The first case of human transmission was reported by Russian authorities in February 2021, as several poultry farm workers tested positive for the virus.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, Early outbreak in Saudi Arabia
On 4 February 2020, Saudi Arabian government reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N8 virus on a poultry farm. The outbreak, which occurred in the central Sudair region, killed more than 22,000 birds in a few weeks.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, H5N8 spreads to Russia and Central Asia
In the summer months, H5N8 was detected in wild birds in western Russia and Kazakhstan, because this included waterbirds that migrate into northern and western Europe, it was considered likely that the virus would be detected there later in the year (as would be confirmed in October–November).


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021
On October 22, the agriculture minister Carola Schouten of the Netherlands confirmed that H5N8 had been found in samples from wild birds in the country. As a countermeasure, it was required that birds in poultry farms were kept indoors and isolated. From late October to mid-November, it had spread to three chicken farms and a duck farm in the country, and the 320,000 birds in the farms had been eradicated to stop the spread.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021
Shortly after the first detection in the Netherlands, it was confirmed in the United Kingdom (October: poultry; November: wild birds and poultry), Germany (October: wild birds; November: wild birds and poultry), Republic of Ireland (October and November: wild birds), Belgium (November: wild birds), Denmark (November: wild birds and poultry), France (November: poultry) and Sweden (November: poultry). These outbreaks resulted in countermeasures that were similar to those already taken in the Netherlands.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021
According to official confirmed reports from the Ministry of Agriculture Foresty and Fisheries of Japan, multiple dead chickens were found in 49 poultry farms: 16 onShikoku Island, 15 on Kyushu Island, ten in Kanto region, five in western Honshu, one each on Awaji Island, Gifu Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture, Japan from November 5, 2020 to February 25, 2021. According to a local official confirmed report, these cases were the highly pathogenic H5N8 type flu.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021
On November 10, South Korea's agriculture ministry said it had confirmed the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu in samples from wild birds in the central west of the country and issued its bird flu warning.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021
On November 27, China's agriculture ministry reported that H5N8 had been found in wild swans in Shanxi province, while Norway detected its first case of the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu in wild geese in Sandnes municipality, prompting the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to introduce a regional ban on outdoor poultry.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021
On November 30, South Korea reported an outbreak of pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza at a farm in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, killing over 19,000 ducks.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021, 2021 outbreaks
The H5N8 avian influenza was reported in two districts of Indian state of Kerala in early January 2021 which killed hundreds of birds in late December 2020. Thousands of birds were culled. Avian influenza outbreaks of unknown subtypes were later also reported in five other states of India. 160,000 birds in two poultry farms in Barwala, Panchkula and Raipur Rani are to be culled. 437,000 birds have died in this poultry belt between mid-December and 8 January 2021. By 9 January 2021, seven states confirmed the outbreak.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021, 2021 outbreaks
On January 15, authorities in Namibia suspended the importation and transit of poultry from European countries where an outbreak of the Avian influenza subtype H5N8 has been reported.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021, 2021 outbreaks
On January 20, Iraq reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu on a farm in the city of Samsara, which killed 63,700 birds out of the 68,800-strong flock, according to the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The remaining birds were subsequently culled.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021, 2021 outbreaks
According to Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishers official confirmed report on January 21, a detection of H5N8 type bird-flu from weaken bodies condition of edible ducks on poultry farm in Yokoshibahikari, near Narita, Chiba Prefecture. A total ten poultry farms were shipped past a week, relative many edible ducks slaughtered by Japan Self-Ground Defence Force. A second case occurred at a poultry farm near Narita on January 24, and many edible ducks were slaughtered, including amount already shipped to many poultry farm in Japan by JSGDF, according to JAFFM official confirmed report.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021, 2021 outbreaks
On February 1, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 in wild Swans at the Winter Palace, Beijing.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021, 2021 outbreaks
On February 2, authorities in Brandenburg, Germany, culled 14,000 turkeys on a farm due to a confirmed outbreak of H5N8 in the Uckermark area.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021, 2021 outbreaks
On February 9, Algeria reported an outbreak of H5N8 on a poultry farm in the town of Aïn Fakroun. The outbreak killed 50,000 birds, with the remaining 1,200 birds in the flock being culled, according to a report from the Agriculture Ministry.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, International spread in late 2020 and early 2021, 2021 outbreaks
Afghanistan reported an outbreak of H5N8 bird flu on a poultry farm in Herat Province on February 25. The outbreak killed 794 birds, while the remaining 22,000-strong flock were subsequently culled, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health.


2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, Outbreak, Human transmission confirmed
On 20 February 2021, Russian authorities reported the first known human cases of H5N8 as 7 farm workers tested positive. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission and the cases were described as "mild" or asymptomatic. The World Health Organization was notified.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest
The 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. A stalemate between the central government and the farmers has been seen for the past few months.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest
Farmers, farmer unions and their representatives have demanded that the laws be repealed and have stated that they will not accept a compromise. Farmer leaders welcomed the Supreme Court of India stay order on the implementation of the farm laws in January 2021 which remains in effect. Farmer leaders also rejected a government proposal, dated 21 January 2021, of suspending the laws for 18 months.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest
Eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions between 14 October 2020 and 22 January 2021; all were inconclusive with the government only agreeing to two of the farmer demands related to stubble burning and an electricity ordinance. A Supreme Court appointed committee has submitted its confidential report before the court. Six state governments (Kerala, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi and West Bengal) have passed resolutions against the farms acts, and three states (Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan) have tabled counter legislation in their respective state assemblies. None of the counter legislation passed the respective state governors.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest
The acts, often called the Farm Bills, have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many farmer unions, and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates". The farmers have also demanded the creation of an Minimum Support Price (MSP) bill, to ensure that corporates cannot control the prices. The government, however, maintains that the laws will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated that the protests are based on misinformation.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest
Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmer unions—mainly from Punjab and Haryana—began a movement named Dili Chalo (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farming union members marched towards the nation's capital. The Indian government ordered the police and law enforcement of various states to attack the protesters using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to prevent the farmer unions from entering into Haryana first and then Delhi. On 26 November 2020, a nationwide general strike involving millions of people, according to trade unions, took place in support of the farmer unions. On 30 November, an estimated crowd of 200,000 and 300,000 farmers was converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest
On 26 January, India's Republic Day, tens of thousands of the farmers held a farmer's parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The protesters deviated from the pre-sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. The tractor rally turned into a violent protest at certain points as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. Later protesters reached Red Fort and installed farmer union flags and religious flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest
While a section of farmer unions have been protesting, the Indian Government claims some unions have come out in support of the farm laws. By mid December, the Supreme Court of India had received a batch of petitions asking for the removal of blockades created by the protesters around Delhi. Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off. Their leaders have also said that staying the farm laws is not a solution. As of 21 March 2021, according to Haryana Police, there are around 40,000 committed protestors sitting at Singhu and Tikri at the Delhi border.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Background
The Agriculture Census in India, last held in 2014, identified that farmers in India have small land holdings, one of the reasons they are not able to meet their needs. Two-thirds of the land holdings in the country are less than one hectare. Other related issues include farmer suicides and the state of the economy in India. India reported a total 296,438 Indian farmers suicides between 1995 and 2015. In 2019, 10,281 people who work in the farming sector committed suicide. The slower growth of Punjab's economy, particularly its agricultural sector, is believed to have helped fuel the protest.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Background, Second green revolution
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during an interview in 2004, said,


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Background, Second green revolution
"We need a second green revolution, making use of modern advances [...] For that we need to revitalize India's research agricultural system, India's extension system, India's credit system. The more we commercialize our agriculture, the more our farmers need access to commercial inputs and that was a modernization of our agriculture credit system. [ ...] There are other rigidities because of the whole marketing regimes set up in the 1930s which prevent our farmers from selling their produce where they get the highest rate of return. It is our intention to remove all those handicaps which come in the way of India realizing its vast potential as one large common market."


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Background, Second green revolution
On 8 February 2021, in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Modi referenced this interview of Manmohan Singh and said – "Manmohan Singh talked about it but Modi is having to do it now. Be proud". Prime Minister Modi has referred to the second agricultural revolution in 2015, 2016, and 2017.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Background, Three agriculture laws
In 2017, the central government released the Model Farming Acts. However, after a certain period of time, it was found that a number of the reforms suggested in the acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was set up in July 2019 to discuss the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) in the first week of June 2020, which dealt with agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Background, Three agriculture laws
These ordinances were introduced as bills and passed by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 and 22 September, the three bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, via a voice vote – ignoring the requests of the opposition for a full vote. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts. The legality of the acts has been questioned since both agriculture and markets come under State list.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Background, International precedents
Many developing economies reformed their agriculture policies in the 1980s and 1990s to encourage private sector participation. Swati Dhingra of the London School of Economics cites the case of Kenya in which their agriculture reforms increased the ease of doing business, however this very increase caused other problems for the farmers. In February 2021, 87 farmers' unions in the United States wrote a solidarity letter, giving the example of Reagan era farm policies— "Reagan era furthered the farm crisis through deliberate federal policy changes, with systematic erosion of parity prices and other deregulatory efforts."


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Farmer unions' demands
The farmer unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage hike electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess, or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually lead to the deterioration and ultimately end the mandi system" thus "leaving farmers at the mercy of corporates".


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Farmer unions' demands
Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with agricultural small-scale businessmen (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop). Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government in writing.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Farmer unions' demands
Farmers have been insistent over repealing the farm laws. Even after the government offered to stay the farm laws for 18 months on 21 January 2021, the farmers refused the stay and pushed for repeal. Other than the farm unions and leaders, people such as Markandey Katju and Thol. Thirumavalavan have also made statements in relation to staying the farm laws.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Farmer unions' demands, List of protesting farm unions
Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, the protesting farm unions include:


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Farmer unions' demands, List of protesting farm unions
Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) have extended support.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020
In Punjab, small-scale protests had started in August 2020 when the Farm Bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit. transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020
Railway services remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest. From 12 December, farmer unions took over highway toll plazas in Haryana and allowed free movement of vehicles. In certain parts of India, bullock-cart rallies in support of farmer's protest have also been organized by marginal farmers. Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt the movement of supplies in the northern states, and if the government fails to address the farmer's issues, it would be done nationwide.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Rail Roko and Dilli Chalo
On 24 September 2020, farmers started a "Rail roko" (transl. "stop the trains") campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Rail Roko and Dilli Chalo
After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protesters from the Dilli Chalo (transl. "let us go to Delhi") campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protesters, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the clashes, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Rail Roko and Dilli Chalo
The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of millions of people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law. Between 28 November and 3 December, the number of farmers blocking the border roads of Delhi was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand. Despite demands for immediate talks, the centre chalked out 3 December 2020 as the date. Further the Prime Minister would not be present and only select farm unions were invited. This select invitation caused some unions to refuse to attend the meeting. One of the demands of the centre was that the farmers move to a designated protest site in Burari, while the farmers wanted to protest at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Rail Roko and Dilli Chalo
Effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations were set on fire and prominent personalities began announcing their plans to return their awards received from the Central Government. This was followed by more strikes and talks between the central government and farmer and their unions. A day before the strike on 8 December, the farmer's union announced that it would hold the strike between 11 am and 3 pm alone to avoid inconveniencing the public.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Rail Roko and Dilli Chalo
On 9 December 2020, the farmers' unions rejected the government's proposals for changes in-laws, even as the Centre in a written proposal assured the minimum support price for crops. On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, thousands protested in Delhi, where tractor rallies and a storming of the historic Red Fort took place.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Blocking of borders and roads
A number of borders, including the Kundli Border, Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border, were blocked by protesters during the protests. On 29 November, the protesters announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura. This resulted in minor clashes involving stone pelting and lathi charges with the police.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Blocking of borders and roads
In early February 2021, metal barricades, cement walls and iron nails were put up at the roads leading to the three main borders (Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur) to block any vehicles from entering Delhi. Barbed fences were also put up to prevent people from entering Delhi on foot. As of 22 March 2021 a number of Delhi borders remained shut. There are around 40,000 protestors sitting at Singhu and Tikri. Some highways were also blocked in protest.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Counter-protests
The Shetkari Sanghatana, a farmers' union in Maharashtra, supports the bills and wants the market to decide the prices of agricultural commodities. It claims that the minimum support prices have actually weakened farmers, instead of empowering them. The Sanghatana demands that the government stops intervening in the agricultural commodity market so that farmers will not have to depend on the minimum support prices.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Counter-protests
On 14 December 2020, a group of 10 farmers' unions extended their support to the central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three farm laws. Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Narendra Singh Tomar.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Counter-protests
On 24 December, 20,000 Kisan Sena members marched to Delhi in support of farm laws. However, five of the groups supporting the laws were directly linked with the ruling party and many do not have any relation to agriculture or farmers.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2020, Counter-protests
On 28 January 2021, the residents of the border villages which the farmers occupied, staged protests to make farmers vacate the sites as it affected their commute. They also accused the farmers for disrespecting tricolor at Red Fort.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2021, Republic Day Kisan Parade
On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting agricultural reforms held a parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. The farmers drove in long lines of tractors, riding horses or marching on foot. The parade started from Singhu Border, Tikri Border and Ghazipur in Delhi on the routes approved by the Police. The farmers were barred from entering the central part of the city where the official Republic Day parade was taking place. At the Singhu Border starting point, according to the police estimates, around 7000 tractors had gathered. Reuters reported citing farmers' unions that close to 200,000 tractors had participated.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2021, Republic Day Kisan Parade
At around 8 am, a few hours early from the permitted time, farmers started to gather separately at Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. The tractor rally commenced from the Singhu border and was designated to follow a decided route. However, as the rally progressed, it deviated and marched towards other routes. The protestors marched towards ITO metro station and the city centre, and broke through the barricades. The Delhi Police used tear gas and baton charged the protesting farmers leading to clashes. Several metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended by police.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2021, Republic Day Kisan Parade
The protestors entered the Red Fort of Delhi, and one of the farmers was seen climbing a flagpole in front of the fort and hoisting the religious flag Nishan Sahib on the flagpole. The clash between police and farmers also caused damage to facilities inside the fort. 394 policemen and thousands of farmers were reported injured, 30 police vehicles were damaged and internet services were suspended for hours in several parts of Delhi and the NCR region. The police took hours in vacating the fort premises after continuous announcements and use of force.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2021, Republic Day Kisan Parade
After the 26 January tractor march, the police constructed cement barricades, dug trenches and cemented nails at all three borders where farmers continue to protest. The barricading and police has restricted movement of locals, farmers, as well as journalists to the protest sites. At the Ghazipur border, farmer leaders alleged that water and electricity supply was cut off.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2021, Republic Day Kisan Parade
As of 28 January, the Delhi Police stated that it has filed various criminal cases on the incidents of violence and arrested several people. More than 300 police personnel were injured in the violence by protesters who used batons and sharp weapons. The violence and hoisting of a religious flag on the ramparts of the Red Fort made the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) and All India Kisan Sangharsh Co-ordination Committee decide to quit the farmers' protest. Sharad Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, and Captain Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister of Punjab, condemned the violence. One person died in the protest as his tractor overturned on him. Later, the postmortem also confirmed that he died due to haemorrhage due to head injuries.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2021, Impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Protestors at the protest sites around Delhi have decreased following the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this has also been attributed to the harvest season.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Protests, 2021, Following protests
On 3 February, farmer leaders warned of escalating the protest to overthrowing the government if the farm laws were not repealed. A peaceful anti-farm law protest is attacked in Bihar. On 21 March specific mention was made of Bengaluru, "....you (farmers) have to turn Bengaluru into Delhi. You will have to lay siege to the city from all directions". The Samyukta Kisan Morcha has planned that 200 farmers will protest outside the Parliament every day during the monsoon session starting from 22 July 2021. On 5 September 2021, a farmers' mahapanchayat was held in Muzaffarnagar. On 27 September 2021 farmer unions called a Bharat Bandh. The bandh had limited nation-wide impact.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Organisation, Langar
Scores of langars and makeshift kitchens have been deployed by farmer's organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the tens of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi after the Delhi Police barred the farmers from entering the city on 26 November 2020. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. The hot meals provided by the langars include lentils, seasonal vegetables, roti, buttermilk, and tea.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Organisation, Langar
Delhi-based media outlets have made significant commentary on some aspects of the langars, such as the use of mechanical roti makers which can cook 1000 roti an hour, or when farmers were seen eating pizzas made by the langar at the Singhu border, which drew mockery of the farmer's movement. The media also made adverse comments on farmer's consumption of dried fruits and nuts such as cashews and raisins at an "almond langar" provided by beneficent NRIs.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Organisation, Langar
Organizations engaged in setting up and running langars include Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee at Singhu border; Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuriwale sect, Tikri border; Khalsa Aid; Dera Baba Jagtar Singh from Tarn Taran, Delhi based Jamindara Student Organisation; Gurdwara Head Darbar Kot Puran, Ropar, Muslim Federation of Punjab, and several others, including NRI-NGOs which have pitched in with aid in kind. Along with the langars, a makeshift school has been set up at the camp, mostly for children who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Organisation, Accommodation and supplies
In addition to food, and tea, the farmers in the camps, are being supported by domestic and international NGOs, including UK based NGO Khalsa Aid, with provisions of tents, solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry, library, medical stalls, dental camp, which did tooth retraction, cleaning, filling, and scaling treatments, foot massage chairs for elderly protesters.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Organisation, Security and control
At the Singhu border, farmers have installed eight CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site, "[...] since there are so many people coming in now. We come to know of incidents where people with ulterior motives try to create problems. This way, we can keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to blame us for any anti-social activity," said a farmer from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's CCTV department.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities
On 20 December 2020, the day the farmer's collectively condoled the deaths of farmers, the death toll was 41. On 30 December 2020, it was over 50. On 2 January 2021, the estimate of dead-farmers had reached 57. On 8 January 2021, the week following the onset of winter rains, death toll of farmers including death by suicide during farmer's satyagraha, according to leaders of the farmer's movement, had crossed 120. As of 5 March 2021, 248 farmers were confirmed dead. Samyukt Kisan Morcha has stated that until 10 July 2021 over 537 participants have died in the protest.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, 2020
The first farmer to die was Dhanna Singh (age 45) of Mansa district in Punjab. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda). He died, on the night of 26 November 2020, according to farmer leaders and media reports, while trying to negotiate his tractor past the Haryana Police road barricade of sand-laden trucks and stones. He was on his way to join the farmers who had been stopped by the Delhi Police on 26 November, on the border of Haryana, and Delhi.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, 2020
On 20 December, the death toll of farmers for the period 15 September to 20 December, according to media reports, was 41. Of these 38 were from Punjab (30 from Malwa, six from Doaba,and two from Majha), and three from Haryana. This total includes seven farmers who have died due to the cold and heart attacks at the Tikri border, and six at Singhu border, including Sant Baba Ram Singh, who committed suicide on 16 December.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, 2020
In the period 26 November – 18 December, according to Manoj Yadava, Director-General of Police, Haryana, 25 farmers died (heart attacks and cold 14, accident 10, suicide 1). This estimate however did not match with the estimated deaths in the 'struggle' by Dr Darshan Pal, the farmer leader, according to whom the death toll of farmers in the 'struggle' during this period is 35.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, 2020
Piara Singh, a 70-year-old poor farmer, and member of BKU (Dakaunda) died on 29 December, of pneumonia, in a Sangrur private hospital. Piara Singh, according to his elder brother, was part of the contingent participating in the farmer's-satyagraha since 26 November. Other farmers cremated on 29 December included Amarjeet Singh Rai in Jalalabad, and farm laborer Malkiat Kaur of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, 2021
On 1 January 2021, Galtan Singh, 57, of Baghpat, UP, who was part of the protesters at Ghazipur border, died after complaining of breathlessness. He became the first farmer fatality of 2021, and first reported farmer-death on the UP border. On 2 January, three farmers died: two at the Tikri Border, and one at the Singhu border. In Tikri Jagbir Singh, 66, from Jind district, died of suspected heart-attack; and Jashnpreet, 18, from Bathinda, died after he was evacuated to after evacuation to PGIMS, Rohtak. Shamsher Singh, 44, a dalit farmer, who was in Singhu camp with his son, 13, died after he complained of chest pain, before reaching the hospital in Soneput, Haryana.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, 2021
Navreet Singh, 25, resident of Rampur district, a student of Melbourne University on vacation in India, died while participating in farmers’ Republic Day tractor rally on 26 January 2021. He was the lone fatality during the farmer's rally. According to Delhi Police First Information Report (FIR), and the autopsy, Navreet Singh died from head injuries sustained in a tractor accident. Avinash Chandra, Additional Director General of Police (DGP) Bareilly Zone, whose jurisdiction includes Rampur, told reporters that the postmortem report has confirmed that Navreet Singh was not shot, and succumbed to antemortem injuries "received after his tractor toppled".


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, 2021
Navreet Singh's grandfather, Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, with whom he was staying, and other family members,  have  denied  police version of events. They  allege that Navneet Singh died from gunshot wounds from  firing by Delhi police . Journalists who reported these allegations were charged with sedition by the Uttar Pradesh police. Those charged include Siddharth Varadarajan, Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vinod Jose, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath and Anant Nath, and Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP Varadarajan has called the police FIR "malicious prosecution".


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, 2021
A freelance journalist, Mandeep Punia, was arrested by Delhi Police on 30 January in view of his reports regarding the violence that took place at Singhu border the day before. He was granted bail on 2 February.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, 2021
On October 3, during the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre eight farmers were killed and several injured after they were run over by an SUV from the convoy of the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra during a black flag protest at Tikunia in UP’s Lakhimpur Kheri. Following the incident, some protesting farmers set the SUV and one other vehicle on fire and lynched 4 people to death including three BJP members and a driver. The son of Ajay Mishra, Ashish Mishra, was alleged to be the driver behind the ramming attack and was interrogated and arrested on October 9.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, Suicides
As of 9 January 2021, the death toll of farmers by suicide to protest the government's farm policy was five. Sant Baba Ram Singh, a Sikh priest, shot himself on 16 December 2020 at the Singhu border in protest against the farm laws. According to J.S. Randhawa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Haryana, Ram Singh, Left behind a 10-page note, dated 14 December, and a handwritten suicide letter, dated 16 December 2020, in which he wrote that he could not bear the pain of the farmers.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, Suicides
At his funeral on 18 December, in Karnal, attended by farmer leaders, religious heads, and Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the suicide letter was read out, which said, "Bullets fired from the guns kill only those whom they strike. The bullet of injustice, however, kills many with a single stroke... It is humiliating to suffer injustice."


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, Suicides
On 18 December, according to Joginder Singh Jawanda, BKU (Ugrahan) leader, a heavily indebted 22-year-old Punjab farmer, killed himself with poison in his village after returning from Singhu, the protest site on the Delhi border. On 27 December, Amarjit Singh Rai, a lawyer, committed suicide by taking poison. Rai before he took his life wrote in a note that he was "sacrificing his life" in support of farmer's protest, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "listen to the voice of the people".


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, Suicides
2 January 2021, Kashmir Singh Ladi, 75-year-old farmer from Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed suicide. He was the fourth farmer suicide since the farm protesters were stopped on 26 November 2020, by UP Police on Delhi-UP Ghazipur Border, also called UP gate. Kashmir Singh who had been camping at the border since 28 November along with his son, and grandson, hanged himself in a toilet. Ladi, according to a government official, left a note in Punjabi, that says, "Till when shall we sit here in the cold? This government isn't listening at all. Hence, I give up my life so that some solution emerges."


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, Suicides
On 9 January 2021, it was reported that Amrinder Singh, a 40-year-old Punjabi farmer, had killed himself by swallowing Aluminium phosphide tablets at the Singhu border. The man had been depressed at the state of the negotiations and had downed the tablets at a stage set up for protesters to speak, whereupon he was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable to resuscitate him.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, Homage to the dead
On 20 December, the 25th day of the protest, to honour the memory of 41 farmers who have died since 15 September, called shahid by the farmer's leaders, national 'Shradhanjali Diwas' (Homage and Remembrance Day), was observed at Singhu, Tikri, UP Gate, and Chilla, farmer-camps with largest farmer's presence on the borders of Delhi, and in town and villages all-round the country. According to Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan) simultaneous events were organized in 98 villages in 15 Punjab districts, on 20 December, to honour the dead. These commemorations continued till 24 December.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fatalities, Homage to the dead
On 4 January 2021, on the insistence of farmer's leaders, government ministers and officials of National Democratic Alliance Government participated in two-minute silence during the seventh round of talks between the government and farmers leaders held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. On  11 February 2021, Rahul  Gandhi, in the Loka Sabha proposed  that the house observe  two minutes silence for farmers who had lost their lives during the protests. While the opposition observed the two-minute silence, some members, including those of the ruling BJP, nosily opposed the proposal to condole the dead farmers by not participating in the two-minute silence.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions
People who have been protesting for nine months, leaving aside their farming cannot be farmers. If the bills were really that bad, the mandis or wholesale markets should have closed by now


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Domestic
On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democratic Alliance. On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked the central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops."


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Domestic
On 30 November, PM Modi raised concerns over the issue of misled and radicalized farmers. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades", citing numerous times opposition members were convicted of spreading lies. Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead, that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect. On 17 December, the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare wrote an open letter to farmers over the new laws.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Domestic, Talks between Government of India and farmers
Ten rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmers (represented by farm unions) uptil 20 January 2021. The first round of talks were on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister. The meeting on 4 January was attended by three Union Ministers – agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and commerce ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash. The three Union Ministers declined the requests of scrapping the three new farm laws as it required more consultation with higher authorities. It is reported that the two sides have managed to reach an agreement on only two issues which the farmers are concerned by, the rise in power tariffs and penalties for stubble burning.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Domestic, Incidents of fake news
Several politicians have circulated misinformation and fake news about the protests, and based on this, have made allegations of separatism, sedition, and 'anti-national' activities concerning the farmers' protests. In response to these, in December 2020, a group of protesting farmers announced that they would be establishing a unit to counter misinformation being spread about the protests. Notable incidents of fake news include:


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Domestic, Allegations of conspiracy
Union Minister Piyush Goyal has described the protesting farmers as "Leftist and Maoist" and being "hijacked" by unknown conspirators. Former Rajya Sabha MP and vice-president of BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Kripal Parmar stated, "The protest is driven by vested interest of few anti-national elements." Union Minister and BJP politician Raosaheb Danve has alleged an international conspiracy, claiming that China and Pakistan are behind the ongoing protests by farmers. BJP MLA Surendra Singh said, "....this is a sponsored agitation by anti-national forces and has foreign funding."


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Domestic, Allegations of conspiracy
BJP Uttarakhand chief Dushyant Kumar Gautam stated that the protests had been 'hijacked' by "terrorists" and "anti-national" forces. Several BJP leaders have blamed what they have called the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' – a pejorative term used by the BJP and its supporters, against anyone who disagrees with its politics, which implies that the person supports secession – as instigating the protests, and linked them to previous protests about India's citizenship laws. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has accused such unnamed conspirators of instigating the protests, as has Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Domestic, Allegations of conspiracy
In response to the BJP's claims, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that the BJP was the real 'Tukde Tukde Gang' and trying to divide Punjab. BJP General Secretary Manoj Tiwari has also described the protesting farmers as "urban naxals". Rajasthan BJP leader Madan Dilawar has accused protesting farmers of "conspiring" to spread avian influenza in India after reports of some cases of avian flu were made in January. Dilawar claimed that protesting farmers were spreading avian influenza by "eating chicken biryani and cashew nuts/almonds" although he did not clarify how these foods and avian influenza are connected.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Domestic, Allegations of conspiracy
Opposition to the claims of conspiracy has been voiced from within the BJP and outside it. BJP leader Surjit Singh Jyani, who was part of a committee that negotiated with several farmers unions, vocally opposed the claims, stating, "This type of language should be avoided. We know many farmers groups are left-leaning but branding them tukde tukde gang and anti-national will not end the deadlock." Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, Uddhav Thackeray has voiced opposition to the labelling of protesters as "anti-national", pointing to some confusion among BJP leaders about the source of the allegations of conspiracy.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Domestic, Allegations of conspiracy
He stated, "BJP leaders should decide who farmers are – are they Leftist, Pakistani, or they have come from China." The conspiracy claims have also been opposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress politician, Ashok Gehlot, who urged the government to come to an "amicable solution" with protesting farmers "...instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests."


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Academics
Agricultural economist Ashok Gulati has been vocal in his support for the bills and contends that the bills are bold steps in the right direction. The Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund, Gita Gopinath, said the "farm bills and labour bills are very important steps in the right direction. They have the potential to have more labour market flexibility, providing greater social security to workers and more formalisation of the labour market.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Academics
In the case of agriculture, having a much more integrated market, creating competition, having farmers getting a greater share of the price that finally the retail price that's paid. So that helps with rural incomes". She also stressed that the implementation of it must be right. Milind Sathye, a professor at the University of Canberra asserts that the new laws will "enable farmers to act together and join hands with the private sector and that the previous system had led to growing farm debt and farmers suicides, among other problems". Rajshri Jayaraman, Associate Economics Professor at the University of Toronto, states that "the bills are confusing and to pass legislation like this affects the largest single sector of the economy and the poorest people in an already poor country during a pandemic."


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Academics
On 1 January 2021, 866 academicians from across India came out in support of the three farm laws. This includes seven vice-chancellors and academicians from Delhi University, JNU, Rajasthan University, Gujarat University, Allahabad University and Banaras Hindu University among others. Kaushik Basu, former chief economist at the World Bank, supports the cause of the peasants, against the position of Arvind Panagariya, former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank. Hansong Li, a Chinese scholar at Harvard University, argues that although India's farm reforms bear resemblance to China's own market-oriented agricultural reforms, India lacks the risk-mitigation mechanisms in the Chinese context, and that the overall crisis has shown a lack of public trust and cohesion in India.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Academics
On 24 April 2021, a number of civil society members urged both sides to end the stalemate.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Repudiation of awards
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India on 3 December 2020, in his support of the farmers' protest. On 4 December 2020, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh returned his Padma Shri Award. Punjabi folk singer Harbhajan Mann refused to accept the Shiromani Punjabi Award by the Punjab Languages Department of the Government of Punjab, India in support of the protests.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Repudiation of awards
Rajya Sabha MP and SAD(D) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also announced that he would return his Padma award due to his personal support of the protests.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Social media
Videos and images of the protests have helped bring awareness to the farmers cause and many have gone viral including one of a police officer with baton raised in hand towards an elderly Sikh man, Sukhdev Singh. Fake news also circulated such as a morphed video claiming that no violence in this incident had occurred was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya; however, this video was flagged as being misinformation by Twitter, and the video was criticized publicly as being propaganda. Alternately, protestors wielding swords circulated on the media following the Republic Day protests; over 300 policemen were injured on the 26th.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Social media
Hashtags are also being used by youth to show their support and ensure that their hashtags like #FarmersProtest, #standwithfarmerschallenge, #SpeakUpForFarmers, #iamwithfarmers, #kisanektazindabaad, #tractor2twitter, #isupportfarmersare trending to keep the subject relevant on the various social media platforms. Another purpose for the youth posting on social media is to counter the negative posts. These posts also benefit the unions and help them to reach the public about their issues and concerns.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Social media
On 20 December 2020, Facebook removed a page named Kisan Ekta Morcha, an official news source from farmers' protest. It was restored after public outrage. Since then both Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram have been accused of removing and shadow banning content that spoke either in favour of farmers or against the BJP-led government, an accusation it has faced in past too.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Social media
In early February a "social media war" erupted after a tweet by Rihanna saying "why aren't we talking about this?!" with the hashtag #FarmersProtest. Numerous celebrities and international figures came out in support such as Greta Thunberg, Lilly Singh, Jamie Margolin, Elizabeth Wathuti and Claudia Webbe. Following this the Indian Ministry of External affairs came out with a clarification statement with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Social media
Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Kailash Kher, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, P. T. Usha, Manika Batra, Saina Nehwal, Geeta Phogat  also posted tweets with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. The Ministry of External Affairs statement characterised a "small section of farmers" as protesting against the legislation and highlighted the Prime Minister's offer to keep the laws on hold.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Social media
In February 2021, Twitter removed over 500 accounts that criticized Narendra Modi's government for its conduct during Indian farmers' protests. Ravi Shankar Prasad, the justice and technology minister, told India's parliament: "I politely remind the companies, whether it is Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or WhatsApp or anyone, they are free to work in India, do business, but they need to respect the Indian Constitution."


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Social media, Protest Toolkit
On 3 February, Greta Thunberg uploaded a document on Twitter which allegedly guided protestors about protests and on how to mobilise people against India and target Indian interests/embassies abroad. It contained actions taken up to 26 January 2021, future actions to undertake, hashtags which trended and would trend, celebrities who would be sympathetic to these protests and solidarity videos etc. She soon deleted the tweet saying that the document was "outdated", and uploaded another toolkit to support protests, sparking a further row.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Response and reactions, Social media, Protest Toolkit
The Times of India reported that an initial probe by the Modi government, into the source of the toolkit that Thunberg posted, suggested that it was put together by a Canadian pro-Khalistan organization based in Vancouver, and that the toolkit had a plan to carry forward the "malign Indian campaign", even if the government repealed the laws. According to one official, "This showed how sinister the entire campaign was". Bangalore Fridays for Future activist Disha Ravi was picked up by policy in questioning related to the toolkit.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement
The Supreme Court of India has received numerous petitions seeking direction to remove protesting farmers from blocking access routes to the capital. The Supreme Court has also conveyed to the central government that it intends to set up a body for taking forward the negotiations. On 17 December, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but added, "you (farmers) have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion". The central government opposed the court's recommendation of putting on hold the implementation of the farm laws. Agitating farmer unions have decided to consult Prashant Bhushan, Dushyant Dave, HS Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves as far as the Supreme Court proceedings go.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement
A plea submitted by several students of Panjab University on 2 December 2020 was registered by the Supreme Court as a public petition on 4 January 2021. The plea was in the form of a letter which called out police excesses, illegal detentions of protesters, "misrepresentation, polarization and sensationalisation" by media channels and approached the matter on humanitarian grounds. A student who drafted the petition informed The Wire that "over the course of over 100 days of the farmers' protest, this is the first petition filed in favour of the protest".


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement
Farmers have said they will not listen to the courts if told to back off or even if the laws are stayed. Farmer union leaders have also raised the issue of the government "dodging dialogue" since the "SC has said earlier that it will not intervene". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a statement in this regard, "Why does the government want the SC to solve all contentious issues, from the CAA and the National Register of Citizens to farm laws?"


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement
On 11 January 2021 the Chief Justice of India said during hearings, "We are not experts on agriculture and economics. Tell us whether you (the government) will put these laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here? [ ...] We don't know if you are part of the solution or part of the problem [...] We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement
Each one of us will be responsible if anything goes wrong [...] If the vast majority says that laws are good, let them say it to (a) committee." The Court also stated to the government that they were "...extremely disappointed at the way government is handling all this (farmers protests). We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion." The Court also rejected a claim by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the "vast majority" of farmers supported the laws, stating that they had not received any submissions from any person that the laws were beneficial.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement, Supreme Court stay order and farm laws committee
On 12 January 2021, the Supreme Court of India suspended the farm laws and formed a committee to look into the grievances of protesting farmers. The CJI, Sharad Arvind Bobde, requested the farmer unions to cooperate. The members of the committee included agriculture experts Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Ghanwat and Bhupinder Singh Mann. However, two days later, Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself and released a press statement,


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement, Supreme Court stay order and farm laws committee
"As a farmer myself and a Union leader, in view of the prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst the farm unions and the public in general, I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me so as to not to compromise the interest of Punjab and farmers of the Country, I am recusing myself from the Committee and I will always stand with my farmers and Punjab"


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement, Supreme Court stay order and farm laws committee
Irrespective of Mann recusing himself, and the following criticism, the Supreme Court, and the remaining members of the Supreme Court-appointed committee, continued with the tasks outlined to the committee. Criticism raised, related to bias in appointing the committee, was addressed by the Supreme Court:


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement, Supreme Court stay order and farm laws committee
Where is the question of bias when the Committee is not given any power to adjudicate. We have asked them to hear the grievances of farmers and give us a report [...] You unthinkingly cast aspersions on people because they have expressed some opinion in the past and you think they are disqualified to sit in the Committee. This has become a culture of branding people whom you do not want and criticising them. The reputation of people we appointed has been torn to shreds. Public opinion is important but it is not determinative for the Court to decide.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Supreme Court of India involvement, Supreme Court stay order and farm laws committee
The committee called on the public for suggestions by 20 February 2021. It went on to conduct a number of meetings online, including speaking to 73 farmers organisations and related organisations. In September 2021, panel member Anil Ghanwat requested the Chief Justice to make the committee report public.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Counter legislation by states
The Punjab state assembly passed four bills to counter the centers three farm laws. Following this Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh also tabled bills to amend and counter the central laws. The respective state governors have either returned the bills or have sat on them refusing to give them assent and send it to the President.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fallout
As fallout of the growing belief amongst protesting farmers that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani were the principal beneficiaries of the farm laws enacted by the NDA Government, Punjab and Haryana farmers, in protest, decided to surrender Jio-sims and switch to rival networks. A number of Reliance Jio telecom towers and other infrastructure were damaged in Punjab in the last week of December 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to stop disrupting the communication towers.


2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, Fallout
On 30 December, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh objected to the Punjab Governor Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore's summoning of the state's chief secretary and the Director-General of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta. Gupta has served as DG of Intelligence of Punjab police, and with Intelligence Bureau for eight years before being appointed DG Punjab police. Singh alleged that Badnore had bowed to the "antics of the BJP" which has falsely claimed breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He called upon the BJP to stop slandering the farmers with terms like 'Naxalites', 'Khalistanis', and for the BJP central leadership to pay heed to the voice of the farmers and repeal the farm laws.