Punjab Bandh: Farmers Protest Across the State, Roads Blocked, Traffic Disrupted

The Punjab Bandh called by farmer organizations on Monday caused significant disruptions across the state, with roads blocked and traffic movement severely affected. The bandh, organized by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, was a response to the Centre’s failure to address the long-standing demands of protesting farmers.

The bandh, which began at 7 am and lasted until 4 pm, saw farmers staging sit-ins and blocking key highways and roads in various districts, including Patiala, Amritsar, and Bathinda. While the protest caused inconvenience to commuters, emergency services were allowed to operate, ensuring that essential activities were not disrupted.

Why Was the Punjab Bandh Called?

The Punjab Bandh was announced last week by farmer organizations to pressurize the government into addressing their demands. The primary issues include:

1. Legal Guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP): Farmers are demanding a legal framework to ensure MSP for their crops.
2. Debt Waiver: Many farmers are burdened by loans and are seeking relief through a complete debt waiver.
3. Pension for Farmers: A demand for pensions to support aging farmers.
4. No Hike in Electricity Tariffs: Farmers are opposing any increase in electricity rates, which would add to their financial burden.
5. Withdrawal of Police Cases: Farmers want the withdrawal of cases filed against them during previous protests.
6. Justice for Lakhimpur Kheri Victims: They are also seeking justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, where farmers lost their lives.

The bandh is part of a larger movement that has been ongoing for months, with farmers camping at the Punjab-Haryana border and staging protests to highlight their grievances.

Key Highlights of the Punjab Bandh

1. Road Blockades Across Punjab:
   Farmers blocked roads at several key locations, including:

1. Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway: Sit-ins at Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza disrupted vehicular movement.
2. Amritsar’s Golden Gate: Farmers gathered near the city’s entry point, causing traffic jams.
3. Bathinda’s Rampura Phul: Roads were blocked, further hampering traffic flow.
4. Emergency Services Allowed:
   Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher clarified that while the bandh would be strictly observed, emergency services would remain operational.
5. People traveling to airports, attending job interviews, or weddings were exempted from the bandh.
6. Hunger Strike by Jagjit Singh Dallewal:
   The 70-year-old farmer leader’s hunger strike entered its 35th day on Monday. Despite his deteriorating health, Mr. Dallewal has refused medical treatment and vowed not to break his fast until the government agrees to the farmers’ demands.
7. The Supreme Court has given the Punjab government until December 31 to persuade Mr. Dallewal to shift to a hospital, even allowing the state to seek logistical support from the Centre if necessary.
8. Protests at Punjab-Haryana Border:
   Farmers under the banners of SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, 2024, after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.
9. Failed March to Delhi:
   A group of 101 farmers, referred to as a “jatha”, attempted to march to Delhi on foot three times between December 6 and 14, but were stopped by Haryana security personnel.

The Farmers’ Demands

The demands of the protesting farmers go beyond the legal guarantee of MSP. They are seeking comprehensive reforms and relief measures to address the challenges faced by the agricultural community.

1. MSP as a Legal Right:
   Farmers want the government to enact a law guaranteeing MSP for their crops, ensuring fair prices and financial security.
2. Debt Relief:
   Many farmers are trapped in a cycle of debt, leading to financial distress and, in some cases, suicides. A complete debt waiver is seen as a critical step toward alleviating their burden.
3. Pension for Farmers:
   With no social security net, aging farmers are demanding pensions to support themselves in their later years.
4. Electricity Tariffs:
   Farmers are opposing any hike in electricity tariffs, which would increase their input costs and reduce profitability.
5. Withdrawal of Police Cases:
   During previous protests, several farmers were booked under various charges. They are now demanding the withdrawal of these cases.
6. Justice for Lakhimpur Kheri Victims:
   The 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, where farmers were killed during a protest, remains a sore point. Farmers are demanding accountability and justice for the victims.

Impact of the Punjab Bandh

The bandh caused widespread disruption across Punjab, with commuters facing delays and businesses experiencing reduced activity. However, the farmers ensured that essential services were not affected, demonstrating their commitment to minimizing inconvenience to the public.

The ongoing protests and the bandh highlight the deep frustration among farmers over the government’s inaction on their demands. The movement has also drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by the agricultural sector, including financial instability, lack of social security, and inadequate policy support.

Conclusion

The Punjab Bandh is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by farmers in India. Despite months of protests and repeated attempts to engage with the government, their demands remain unmet, forcing them to resort to measures like road blockades and hunger strikes.

The bandh, while disruptive, has brought the farmers’ issues back into the spotlight, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reforms and government action. As the protests continue, the focus remains on whether the government will take concrete steps to address the farmers’ grievances and provide the support they desperately need.

For now, the farmers’ resolve remains unshaken, with leaders like Jagjit Singh Dallewal continuing their hunger strike and thousands of farmers camping at border points. The coming days will be crucial in determining the outcome of this prolonged struggle for justice and fair treatment.

Read More: PM Kisan Samman Nidhi: Tomorrow, farmers will receive Rs. 2000 in their accounts, and PM Modi will deliver the program’s eighteenth instalment

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