Opposition parties protest with farmers

NEW DELHI — Major Indian opposition parties boycotted the opening day of Parliament’s budget session Friday in solidarity with protesting farmers engaged in a two-month standoff over new agricultural laws the government refuses to repeal.

India’s ceremonial President Ram Nath Kovind listed the government’s priorities in an address to Parliament. The budget is to be presented Monday.

A statement by the main opposition Congress party said 16 opposition parties boycotted the president’s address to Parliament “in full solidarity with the agitating farmers, whom the Modi government is trying to defame,” referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

People living near the farmers’ campsites on the outskirts of New Delhi are demanding the farmers leave the area because of disruptions to their businesses and lives.

On Friday, about 300 people hurled stones at farmers camping in the Singhu area and uprooted some tents. They shouted slogans asking the farmers to go home. Police used tear gas to disperse them.

Arun Kumar / AFP via Getty Images Police try to stop residents of Singhu, India, on the outskirts of New Delhi, as they clash with farmers who were continuing to protest the government’s recent agricultural reforms and were blocking a highway.