Indian opposition boycotts parliament in support of protesting farmers

Indian farmers listen to their leader Rakesh Tikait at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi (AP)

Major Indian opposition parties have boycotted the opening day of parliament’s budget session in solidarity with farmers engaged in a two-month standoff over new agricultural laws which the government refuses to repeal.

The protests were marked by violence on Tuesday, India’s Republic Day, when tens of thousands of farmers stormed the 17th century Red Fort in a brief but shocking takeover that played out live on news channels.