Bangladesh, Sept. 28 -- From the state of Punjab in the north to Karnataka in the south, farmers across India intensified their protests on Monday against the "pro-corporate" reforms in the agricultural sector.

The protests come a day after Indian President Ram Nath Kovid signed into law three farm bills that farmers fear would hurt their interests as they pave the way for the entry of private players into the agricultural market.

The protests started around 7am in the national capital, when a group of farmers set on fire a tractor at the iconic India Gate. As local TV channels started beaming the images live, Delhi Police swung into action and arrested five of the protesters.

The Indian government was equally quick to blame the main o...