Thousands of farmers in England will rally in London’s Parliament Square on Tuesday to protest the end of inheritance tax exemption announced by the exchequer last month.

Organizers said around 20,000 farmers could attend Tuesday’s London rally. Television presenter and farmer Jeremy Clarkson is also expected to attend.

Protesting farmers have promised that their demonstrations will be peaceful but warned that the situation could worsen if the government refuses to back down.

The farmers’ protests in the UK bring back memories of a similar rally led by Indian farmers in 2021, in which the UK gave its two cents and received a sharp rebuke from New Delhi in return.

What do the protests in England mean?

Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, who is trying to raise funds to fix public services, announced in October that farmers worth more than 1 million pounds ($1.26 million) will not be able to leave their farms tax-free to their children from 2026.

Opposition to the so-called “tractor tax” is part of a broader backlash against Reeves’ fiscal plans. Some of Britain’s biggest companies have warned that increases to employers’ social security contributions will fuel inflation.

Farmers say the change would threaten the sustainability of family farms, which often have tight profit margins and would be forced to sell land to cover their children’s tax bill, increasing the risk of food production being damaged.

What happened in 2021?

In 2021, the Indian government was reeling under intense pressure from farmers in Punjab and Haryana who were protesting against the farm laws promulgated by the administration.

The protests were so widespread that farmers blocked major roads entering the national capital Delhi, demanding the government repeal the laws.

At the time, many Labor, Liberal Democrat and Scottish National Party MPs expressed concerns about the safety of protesters.

SNP MP Martin Day said: “Tanks and tear gas, repeated clashes between police and farmers and disruptions to internet connectivity were issues of concern.”

Lawmakers even urged Britain’s then prime minister, Boris Johnson, to take up the issue with India during his upcoming visit to India.

In response, the Indian High Commission in Britain said: “We deeply regret that instead of a balanced debate, false allegations, without evidence or facts, are being made that cast aspersions on the world’s largest functioning democracy and its institutions.”

With input from Reuters