Farmers, workers protest against Modi's labor policies

STORY: The protest, held at New Delhi's Ramlila Maidan ground, was called by three unions – All India Agriculture Workers Union, Centre of Indian Trade Unions and the All India Kisan Sabha – and was backed by the regional Communist Party of India (Marxist).

They are demanding relief from inflation, legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers and minimum wage for all workers at 26,000 rupees ($317) per month.

"Millions of people coming here from far-off places means that their everyday life is deteriorating due to Modi government's policies," said senior Communist leader, Sitaram Yechury.

For Modi, unemployment is emerging as a major challenge along with high inflation, and could prove costly in state elections later this year and a general election in mid-2024, analysts said.