Tarlochan Singh, an elderly farmer, summed up the mood, saying: 

“It is not merely about a few legal infirmities in the laws. It is the philosophy of governance that will trigger a national crisis, a situation that will widen the conflict between the rich and the poor...

If this direction is not changed, we may be heading for civil war in this country. We have to understand the nature of the threat first; it is not about legalese, it is about life.”

“Everybody is going to be affected — the small businessmen, the agriculture workers, the consumers. We don’t need governments, courts and committees to tell us what our pain is.

Why is the government doing such a favour that will endanger our lives?

None will move from here until the laws are repealed.

The government can fire on us, unleash tanks or do bombarding from fighter planes. We die or defeat this government.”

Asked what would happen if the leaders strike a deal with the government and decide to give up, he said:

“It is not possible now. You must have a very low-grade moral fabric to strike a deal with the government on this issue. Our leaders aren’t like that.”