As negotiations failed to end the week-long protest by Indian farmers in New Delhi, more than 40 Catholic bishops in Kerala have sought government action to address the farmers’ plight.
Federal agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar led the government team in negotiations lasting more than seven hours with 40 leaders of farmer unions on Dec. 3. Although talks failed, the teams are meeting again on Dec. 5.
“Millions of families of farmers in the country are worried about their future because of the new farm laws,” said Card. George Alencherry after a three-day session of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council attended by 42 bishops in the southern state.
Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana States, have been protesting in the national capital since Nov. 29 to demand the repeal of what they termed as three anti-farmer laws.