On Friday, Haryana Police clashed with farmers at the Shambhu border near Ambala, as they resumed their protest after months of camping at the site, and attempted to break barricades to march towards Delhi. The farmers, who have been protesting for over nine months, are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, along with other key demands such as a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm laborers, no hike in electricity tariffs, justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-2021.
The protest, which began with a group of 101 farmers, was led by prominent farmer leaders including Surjit Singh Phool, Satnam Singh Pannu, Savinder Singh Chautala, Baljinder Singh Chadiala, and Manjit Singh. At 1 pm, these farmers began their march towards Parliament in New Delhi, hoping to draw attention to their grievances. However, the heavy barricades set up by the police, made up of concrete blocks, iron nails, and barbed wire, prevented them from moving forward after they broke through one layer of barricades. The police presence was intense, and despite their determination, the farmers could not advance further due to the heightened security measures.
In response to accusations that their tractors were modified, the farmers chose to march on foot rather than using tractors, with Pandher, one of the leading protestors, stating, “We have been sitting here for the past eight months. In response to accusations that our tractors are modified, we have decided to march to Delhi on foot.” This decision symbolizes their non-violent approach and determination to have their demands addressed peacefully. The protest movement continues to gain support from various khap panchayats, business communities, and other groups, reflecting the broad base of their appeal across different sections of society.
The protests are not just limited to the Shambhu border; other border points in Haryana and Punjab have also seen similar clashes in the past, with security forces having stopped farmer protests on previous occasions. Farmers, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points for several months now. The protests started as a demand for a legal guarantee for MSP, but over time, additional issues have been raised, including better access to government welfare schemes, improvements in infrastructure, and reforms to agricultural policies.
In response to the escalating situation, the Haryana government has imposed a strict security clampdown in the region. Internet services in Ambala have been suspended until December 9, and additional barricades have been set up to block the farmers’ march towards Delhi. The Ambala administration has also imposed Section 163 of BNSS, which restricts gatherings of five or more people. The local authorities have warned that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands, and any attempt to march to Delhi without permission would be stopped. Despite these measures, the farmers remain resolute in their determination to make their voices heard, with farmer leader Pandher urging the government to respect their democratic right to protest peacefully. "We want the government to let us exercise our democratic right to protest," he said.
The ongoing standoff has sparked tensions and heightened security in Delhi-NCR, where commuters have been warned about potential traffic jams as a result of the increased police presence and roadblocks at key routes leading into the national capital. Earlier this week, a similar protest by farmers from Uttar Pradesh had already caused major disruptions, leaving thousands of people inconvenienced as they tried to make their way to work. With the Shambhu border protests now intensifying, authorities have imposed stringent measures to ensure that public order is maintained. Schools, both government and private, have been closed in Ambala to avoid any potential disturbances caused by the protests.
Pandher also criticized the government’s handling of the issue, stating that talks with the central government had stalled after four rounds of discussions in February. Since then, there have been no new discussions, leaving farmers feeling frustrated and neglected. “In February, we held four rounds of talks, but since February 18, there have been no further discussions,” Pandher remarked. He called on the government to resume negotiations to address the farmers' concerns, particularly regarding the legal guarantee for MSP, which remains a key demand.
Union Minister Bhagirath Choudhary, however, extended an olive branch, saying that the government remains open to talks with the farmers. He urged the protestors to come forward and discuss their issues with the government instead of continuing their march towards Delhi. "Our doors are always open for the farmers. They should come and talk to us about their issues instead of marching towards Delhi," he said. This comment is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution to the stand-off.
Despite the government's call for dialogue, the farmers' movement remains unbowed, continuing to push for the demands they believe are crucial for the survival and welfare of India's agricultural community. The legal guarantee for MSP, which has been a focal point of the protest since its inception, continues to be a significant issue for the farmers. They argue that without such a guarantee, many farmers are vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen, and the fluctuating market prices leave them at a disadvantage.
The ongoing protest and the government's response have garnered significant attention, not only from those directly involved in the farming community but also from a wider section of the public, including business communities, civil society organizations, and political parties. The issue of farmers' rights has long been a flashpoint in Indian politics, and the current unrest is likely to remain a key talking point in the lead-up to national elections, with different political factions weighing in on the government’s handling of the crisis.
As the situation continues to unfold, the farmers remain firm in their demands for justice and the protection of their livelihoods. Their struggle represents a larger battle over agricultural policy reform in India, and the outcome of this ongoing protest could have far-reaching consequences for the future of farming in the country. The farmers’ march to Delhi on foot may be a symbolic gesture, but it also represents their resolve to push for the changes they believe are necessary to ensure a fairer and more sustainable future for agriculture in India.
