THOUSANDS of people drove to an Indian consulate in Birmingham over the weekend in solidarity with farmers in India who are protesting against punitative agricultural reforms.

It comes after about 250,000 people in India went on strike last week in a standoff with the government over new farming laws which would allow privateers greater roles in the sector.

Birmingham is in Tier 3 — meaning that groups of more than six are not allowed to meet. 

But thousands of people from across England joined the protest against the new laws that they say would ruin Indian farmers’ livelihoods.

The Kisaan Car Rally started at Guru Har Rai Gurdwara in West Bromwich on Saturday morning before participators — in trucks, tractors, cars and supercars — drove to the consulate.

The protest resulted in severe road congestion in West Bromwich, central Birmingham, and the Jewellery Quarter, where the consulate is. People then left their cars to protest outside the mission.

The National Sikh Police Association UK advised people not to attend because of Tier 3 restrictions, and warned people if they did, to stay in their cars or potentially face enforcement action.

West Midlands Police superintendent Sarah Burton said: “While we absolutely respect and support the right to demonstrate, there are requirements that need to be met by law.

“An organiser needs to be identified and the police should be notified in advance.”

A Kisaan car rally to the India High Commission in London, organised by the Federation of Sikh Organisations, took place earlier this month. Thirteen out of hundreds of protesters were arrested for breaching coronavirus restrictions.

A smaller convoy of 35 cars drove to India House, organised by the Indian Overseas Congress.

Similar protests have also taken place in the US and Canada.