TORONTO -- While violence between farmers and police in India continues to escalate, thousands of people across Canada are showing their solidarity through peaceful protests.
Canadian protesters expressed support for farmers from India鈥檚 Punjab region after the Indian government passed a series of agricultural laws in September that farmers say jeopardize their livelihoods.
Protesters say the new laws prevent farmers from selling crops such as grain to the government at a fixed cost, forcing them to sell privately to buyers and opening them up to exploitation by big corporations.
Thousands of protesters on Saturday outside of the Indian consulate to show their support for the farmers.
In Saskatoon, packed sidewalks in peaceful protest, and in Halifax more than 100 vehicles participated in a car rally outside Canada鈥檚 immigration museum Pier 21 in the south end of Halifax.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was among the first world leaders to express support for the farmers鈥� right to protest, reiterated that support on Friday.
"Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protest anywhere around the world. And we're pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue," Trudeau said.
Trudeau鈥檚 remarks have been criticized by officials in India who accused the prime minister of meddling in international politics and encouraging protests in their country.
The Indian government now say Trudeau鈥檚 comments amount to interference in its affairs and potentially damaging to its relations to Canada. Indian media is also criticizing Trudeau questioning his actions while claiming the prime minister is catering to the Canadian-Sikh population.
Meanwhile in India, a nationwide strike is expected Tuesday and farmers have blocked key highways in the outskirts of New Delhi for the past 10 days.
The Indian government has defended the laws, calling them necessary in order to open up farmers to the free market and to expand the country鈥檚 agriculture sector.
Brampton City Councillor Gurpreet Singh Dhillon said there are many Canadians who have family back in India. For them, protesting in Canada is the best way to have their voices heard.
鈥淭here鈥檚 many people who still own farmland back in India whose families, friends and loved ones are still farmers,鈥� Dhillon said.
He said it was important for Brampton鈥檚 city council to pass a motion expressing solidarity with Indian farmers given that hundreds of thousands of Canadians of Indian descent live in Brampton.
鈥淲e want to ensure that the fundamental and democratic right to protest is respected,鈥� said Dhillon.
The protests in India have recently been met with water cannons, tear gas and violent force against the farmers.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great cause of concern not only for us but for the international farming community as well,鈥� said Dhillon.
According to the of the United Nations, 70 per cent of India鈥檚 population depends on agriculture for income. Despite this, farmers have been facing economic hardships over the past three decades.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not only just about farming, it鈥檚 their livelihood, it鈥檚 their future and it鈥檚 their children鈥檚 future as well,鈥� said Dhillon.
