On Saturday, farmer organizations in Haryana, India, launched widespread protests against newly implemented crop procurement rules for the Rabi season under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) banner. Demonstrations occurred across multiple districts, with farmers blocking highways and toll plazas for about four hours, leading to significant traffic disruptions. The protests were a response to new measures such as OTP-based verification and mandatory registration on the 'Meri Fasal-Mera Byora' digital portal, which farmers argue complicate the procurement process and burden them further. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini defended these changes, asserting they aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the procurement system. He accused opposition parties of misleading farmers and assured that the procurement process would run smoothly. However, farmer leaders, including Sumit Dalal from the All India Kisan Sabha, labeled the new rules as anti-farmer and warned of escalating protests if their demands are not met. The protests also highlighted issues such as the requirement for vehicle registration and strict quality standards for crops, which farmers claim are impractical given their current challenges. The situation remains tense, with farmers vowing to escalate their agitation if necessary.