Chandigarh: Yesterday (on March 19), the Punjab government took sudden action to uproot the year-long farmers’ protest at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders, located between Punjab and Haryana. This action took place after farmers’ leaders were detained by Mohali police while returning to the protest sites following a meeting with representatives from both India’s Union and Punjab state governments in Chandigarh. This marked the third meeting between the farmers’ leadership and government representatives since the resumption of talks on February 14, 2025.

Police Detain Farmers’ Leaders After Meeting with Ministers:

The detainment of prominent farmers’ leaders took many by surprise. Among those detained were Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher, and several other key figures in the protest movement. After their detention in Mohali, police forces from Patiala and Sangrur were swiftly deployed to the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. They detained protesting farmers and dismantled their tents, effectively clearing the roads on the Punjab side. However, the barricades set up by Haryana police remain in place, still blocking roads on the Haryana side.

SKM’s Criticism of Police Action:

The police action has sparked widespread criticism from various groups. The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a coalition of farmers’ unions, condemned the move, claiming it was part of a larger plan by the Punjab government to enforce corporate and multinational company (MNC) frameworks in agriculture. The SKM’s media cell issued a statement calling the actions “sinister” and accusing the AAP government in Punjab of cooperating with the BJP government at the center. The statement reads:

“The AAP Govt of Punjab has shown that it is totally committed to enforcing corporate and MNC frameworks in agriculture and it is for this that it is collaborating and cooperating with the RSS, BJP Govt at the Centre. It is rather sinister that this move has come after top AAP leaders had a meeting with industrialists yesterday.”

The SKM also criticized the government’s heavy-handed approach, calling it a sign that the Union Government is not interested in resolving the key livelihood and survival issues raised by farmers across India. They further stated:

“The strong-arm tactics against peaceful struggle of farmers proves that the Union Govt is not in favour of resolution of the key livelihood and survival issues raised by all farmers of India.”

SGPC’s Strong Condemnation

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also condemned the actions of the Punjab government. SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhammi expressed deep regret over the arrest of farmers’ leaders, calling it “deceitful.” He emphasized that it was a shameful day for the Punjab government, which had arrested the farmers’ leadership immediately after talks with central ministers. He said:

“It was extremely painful that the farmers, who have contributed significantly to the country’s progress, prosperity, and economy, are today suffering due to the anti-farmer policies of the governments.”

He also pointed out that today marked a “shameful day for the Punjab government when farmer leaders were deceitfully arrested after talks with central ministers.”

Panch Pardhani Panthik Jatha Condemns Police Action Against Farmers

Panch Pardhani Panthik Jatha has also condemned the police action against the protesting farmers in strong terms. Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu, in a statement, said that police excesses won’t yield any solution, as the farmers’ demands are genuine concerns of the farming community that need to be addressed positively.

Opposition Parties Condemn AAP Government

Opposition parties have also condemned the AAP government’s action against protesting farmers. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa expressed outrage, stating that arresting leaders under the guise of a meeting is unprecedented in Punjab’s history. He emphasized that such actions are not part of Punjab’s traditions. Bajwa accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of betraying the farming community, asserting that Punjabis would neither forget nor forgive this act.

BJP leader and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the AAP government of attempting to sabotage negotiations between the Centre and farmers. He expressed shock over the police action against farmer leaders, suggesting it was intended to disrupt talks.

Badal Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harsimrat Kaur Badal also condemned the police action, calling for the release of detained farmer leaders. They joined other opposition voices in criticizing both governments for their handling of farmer issues.

Seventh Round of Talks Held in Chandigarh

Earlier on the same day, the seventh round of talks between Union ministers and farmers’ leaders took place in Chandigarh. The farmers were seeking a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan addressed the media, stating that the meeting had been cordial and productive. He added:

“We had a positive meeting. We will discuss the issue with all the stakeholders. We will have another meeting at the same venue in Chandigarh on May 4.”

Along with Chouhan, Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Pralhad Joshi also participated in the meeting, which lasted for four hours. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who also attended the meeting, described the atmosphere as positive. He mentioned:

“The Union ministers have stated that they will talk to all stakeholders before the MSP legislation can take shape. A central government official would be assigned to talk to all the stakeholders.”

Punjab’s Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Food Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak also represented the state in the meeting.

Contradiction in Government’s Statements and Actions

Despite assurances from Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who had denied any plans to arrest or detain farmers, the police action took a different course. Cheema, addressing the media after the meeting, was specifically asked by a journalist about police deployments at protest sites. The journalist raised concerns that farmers had been reporting police activity in the area and asked whether the government was planning to take action against the protesting farmers. Cheema responded negatively, claiming that no action would be taken. However, shortly thereafter, the police detained the leadership and dismantled the protest at the borders, contradicting his earlier statements.