Farmers protesting against the three new farm laws marched into Central Delhi on Tuesday on their tractors, motorbikes, horses and even cranes. The farmers chanted ‘jai jawan jai kisan’ and ‘rang de Basanti’ as they broke police barricades along the way to make their way to the heart of the national capital.

Locals stood on both sides of the roads at various locations showering flower petals on the farmers amid drum beats.

Thousands of farmers kicked off their tractor rally on Wednesday, the 72nd Republic Day of India, and entered Delhi from various border points knocking down police barricades and clashing with police. Farmers, protesting against news farm laws were lathicharged teargassed at various points in the national Capital.

The farmers had been granted permission by Delhi police to hold the tractor rally at 12 noon, after the conclusion of the Republic Day parade in central Delhi’s Rajpath.

The protesting farmers started gathering from 8 am at various border points along Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Soon the crowds swelled in numbers and proceeded towards central Delhi, pulling down barricades at Tikri and Singhu border. Videos tweeted by news agency ANI showed chaos at the Singhu border.

Standing atop vehicles decked up with flags, the protesters danced to the tune of patriotic songs such as ‘Aisa desh hai mera’ and ‘Sare jahan se achcha’. “People think farmers are only meant to plough their fields. But there is much more to a farmer’s life. We also ride motorbikes and horses though we worship our tractors as it helps in earning our bread and butter.

“Today, everything is on display in this historical rally,” said Gagan Singh, a protestor riding a horse to the parade.