The ongoing farmer protests in Punjab took a tense and dramatic turn as Punjab Police detained key leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher, amid a heated clash in Mohali. The confrontation erupted when farmers attempted to march toward the Khanauri and Shambhu border points, where they have been camping in protest since February 13 last year. The situation quickly escalated, leading authorities to suspend internet services in Khanauri and the surrounding regions of Sangrur and Patiala districts. Heavy police deployment followed, with security personnel stationed to prevent further escalation and maintain order.
Dallewal, a prominent figure in the ongoing agitation, had previously gained widespread attention and public sympathy after undertaking a 54-day hunger strike. He ended the strike in January, agreeing to take medical aid only after the government assured that discussions on providing a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on 24 essential crops would continue. Dallewal’s stance, along with other farmer leaders like Abhimanyu Kohar and Kaka Singh Kotda, who were also detained during the confrontation, remains a significant symbol of the farmers’ determination to secure their demands.
The farmers' list of demands extends far beyond the MSP guarantee. They are pushing for a complete debt waiver, monthly pensions for farmers and agricultural laborers, and a halt to any proposed hikes in electricity tariffs. Additionally, they demand the withdrawal of police cases filed against farmers during previous protests, justice and punishment for those responsible for the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, which protects farmers' land rights, and compensation for the families of farmers who lost their lives during the earlier 2020-21 agitation against the now-repealed farm laws.
The recent detentions come at a crucial juncture, as the seventh round of negotiations between farmer leaders and the central government delegation concluded earlier today. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, joined by Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, described the talks as "positive" and announced a follow-up meeting scheduled for May 4 to continue addressing the farmers' demands. The state was also represented, with Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian present at the table.
This round of talks follows multiple prior attempts at resolution. Meetings on February 22 and February 14, both held in Chandigarh, ended without concrete outcomes, continuing a pattern of inconclusive dialogue that stretches back to four rounds of failed talks last year. Despite promises from the government and appeals for patience, the farmers remain steadfast, unwilling to back down until their core demands are met with actionable commitments.
The mood among protesters remains a mix of anger and resilience, fueled by the belief that they are fighting for their livelihoods and the future of Indian agriculture as a whole. For many, this struggle echoes the spirit of the historic 2020-21 protests that led to the repeal of three controversial farm laws, proving that collective action and unwavering determination can bring about change.
With the situation still volatile, the detention of prominent leaders like Dallewal and Pandher is expected to further intensify the farmers' resolve. As the next round of talks approaches, all eyes remain on whether the government can find a middle ground to address the farmers' longstanding grievances — or if the movement will escalate into an even larger nationwide outcry.
