Indian farmers’ leaders on Monday sought to step up pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal three agricultural reform laws by starting a 24-hour relay hunger strike.

Modi’s government is urging the farmers to engage in further talks to end a deadlock which has led to thousands camping on the outskirts of New Delhi for more than three weeks.

The protesters have blocked roads connecting the national capital with neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, hitting public transport and the supply of fruit and vegetables.

“We are going on a 24-hour relay hunger strike, skipping meals, to press our demands of repealing three agricultural laws,” Yogendra Yadav, a prominent protest leader, said.

The leaders called on their supporters to skip one meal on Dec. 23, in solidarity with the protests against the new laws, approved by parliament in September without much debate.

The farmers fear that the new laws could pave way for ending state procurement of crops while helping big retail buyers.

Modi has defended the laws saying they would help increase farmers’ incomes as they will encourage more private investments in cold-stores, procurement and distribution.

More than 30 protesters have died in recent weeks, mainly due to the cold as they were sleeping in the open with temperatures falling to 4 degree Celsius, according to the farmers’ leaders.

They also called on their supporters to boycott Modi’s monthly radio address.

“People should bang their utensils at home on Sunday when Modi speaks up on radio,” Jagjit Dallewal, President of the Bharti Kisan Union, said.

NAN