The landscape of normalcy has been largely changed across Punjab on Monday as the farmers’ protests have swept yet again with farmers blocking road and rail tracks, crippling commuters and freight movement.
The Punjab bandh protest has been set up in support of 70 year old farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewa
A Punjab bandh has been called in support of 70-year-old farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on hunger strike since November 26. Today marks the 35th day of his protest.
Dallewal has been reportedly refusing medical treatment allegedly until the central government agrees to 13 farm demands including making the Minimum Support Price (MSP) a legal guarantee for all crops.
Meanwhile, Bhagwant Mann-led government in Punjab has been granted time till December 31 by the Supreme Court to convince Dallewak to terminate his fast and shift to a hospital for medical care.
The shutdown in Punjab on Monday, December 30, began at 7 am and will continue until 4 pm.
Farmers blocked Dhareri Jattan toll leading to an affected vehicular movement on the Patiala- Chandigarh National Highway.
Key routes, including Airport Road at IISER Chowk in Mohali, Kurali Road Toll Plaza, Ambala-Delhi Highway Toll Plaza near Lalru, and the Kharar-Morinda Highway have been reportedly blocked by protesting farmers.
In Bathinda’s Rampura Phul, agitating farmers have blocked roads.
Major highways and marketplaces across the state of Punjab were shut due to the bandh.
Farmers have congregated in large numbers at Amritsar’s Golden Gate near the city’s entry point.
More than 200 trains, including Vande Bharat and Shatabadi, were affected due to bandh in Punjab.
Farmers’ ‘Rail Roko Andolan’ resulted in the cancellation of 163 trains, with 19 others short-terminated, 15 short-originated, 15 delayed, and nine halted en route (till Monday morning).
Farmers Protest Details
The protests erupted in late 2020 after the Indian government passed three farm laws aimed at deregulating the agricultural sector. Farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, raised concerns that these laws would jeopardize their livelihoods by increasing corporate influence over agriculture and weakening the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, which ensures a stable income.
As the laws took effect, the protests grew in intensity, with farmers staging large-scale demonstrations, including sit-ins at the borders of Delhi. They called for the repeal of the laws and for legal guarantees to protect MSP.
On February 16, 2024, farmers’ unions organized a Bharat Bandh to press for a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. The strike, supported by various farmer organizations under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (United Farmers’ Front), saw participation from thousands of farmers across the country.
In response, the Delhi police stepped up security, deploying additional personnel at key border points to manage any potential disruptions. To prevent large gatherings, restrictions under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code were enforced in several areas.
Ahead of the bandh, farmer leaders held talks with government officials, which were described as “positive.” Despite this, farmers remained skeptical about the government’s willingness to fully address their concerns.
