The protests started after the 2016–2017 Drought in Tamil Nadu, which was caused after the worst rainfall to the state after 140 years.

The protesting farmers shaved half of their moustaches and heads, held snakes and mice in their mouths, performed mock funerals, flogged themselves, brought the skulls of other farmers who had committed suicide, drank their urine and even ate human feces as protest.

The crisis was caused by water shortage due to poor rainfall, reduced crop costs, and decreasing access to formal financial services.

[14] The loan waiver of Rs 36,359 crore announced by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, added more weight to the demands of the farmers.

The protestors wore nooses around their heads, held skulls they said belonged to the farmers who had committed suicide, performed mock funerals and kept dead rats and snakes in their mouths.

Although these protests received media and political attention due to their exceptional appearance, they did not contribute in any of their requests being addressed.

[25] April 4: On the 22nd day of the protest, the Tamil Nadu High Court gave judgement waiving farmers loan in cooperative banks.

[26] April 10: After 28 days, a group of farmers led by Ayyakannu reportedly went to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to send a memorandum, but they were not given access.

"[28][29] April 14: After 32 days of the protest, the farmers dressed up as women wearing sarees to get the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and audiences.

They started singing funeral songs and screamed at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come and make a visit to their grief stricken women and pay attention of their sufferings.

[40] April 23: after Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy met them and agreed to address their problems, the farmers temporarily stalled their protests.

[46] July 7: Approximately 70 farmers were arrested when they tried to perform a demonstration near the Prime Minister's house in Lok Kalyan Marg.

[51] October 26: The farmers returned after completing their protests as the rainy season and beginning of winter left most of its members sick.

[52] Ayyakannu spoke to the media that more than 5 lakh farmers from all across the country will march to Delhi on November 20, 2017 to corner the Bhartiya Janata Party-led NDA Government.

[53][54] The food for the farmers were prepared by volunteers belonging to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).