Indian Farmers Plan Nationwide Protests Amid Crackdown by Punjab Police

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the national coalition of farmers’ unions, has called for nationwide protests on March 28 in response to the growing repression of farmers in Punjab. This call for action comes after the aggressive crackdown by the Punjab Police on farmers protesting for better crop prices and a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP). The SKM aims to unify farmer organizations across India, including Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and SKM (Non-Political), in a collective stand against the government’s indifference and heavy-handed tactics.

Crackdown in Punjab

On the orders of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police detained over 350 farmers’ leaders and activists, including prominent figures like Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher. The police also destroyed tents and stages set up by the farmers at Khanauri and Shambu borders, removing their equipment and forcing protesters off their land. The heavy-handed action has intensified farmer unrest in the region, where protests have been ongoing for over a year.

The protests began after farmers’ demands for better crop pricing, MSP guarantees, and government intervention were largely ignored by the central government. The farmers are especially vocal about the lack of legal guarantees for MSP, which they argue is essential to secure their livelihoods. The farmers’ frustration has been met with force rather than dialogue, culminating in the mass arrests and destruction of protest sites in recent weeks.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s Hunger Strike

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, one of the most prominent faces of the ongoing farmer protests, has been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 2023, demanding fairer treatment for farmers. Dallewal, alongside several other leaders, was detained during the recent crackdown and later transferred to a private hospital in Patiala due to his deteriorating health. His condition has drawn widespread attention, with many viewing his protest as a symbol of the farmer community’s desperation in the face of government neglect.

Dallewal’s hunger strike is not just a personal act of defiance; it has become a rallying point for the farmer movement. As the government remains silent, his fast is a poignant reminder of the stakes in this battle: the survival of India’s agricultural backbone.

The Punjab Government’s Response to Protests

The Punjab government’s aggressive stance against the farmers is a stark contrast to the central government’s promises of reform. While the central government has largely failed to address farmers’ concerns, the state government under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has resorted to policing and militarized responses to quell protests. On March 5, Punjab Police thwarted farmers’ attempts to go to Chandigarh for a week-long ‘dharna,’ reinforcing the government’s hardline approach.

The state’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from the farming community, which sees them as an attempt to silence dissent and prevent a larger, nationwide uprising. Farmers argue that these measures reflect the government’s disregard for their struggles, choosing repression over genuine policy changes.

National Solidarity with Farmers’ Struggle

As the situation intensifies, the SKM has urged all farmer organizations to unite in a national movement. Protests are expected to spread beyond Punjab, with other states like Andhra Pradesh also joining the fight. In Guntur, chili farmers have protested on Narasaraopet Road, demanding an MSP of ₹18,000 per quintal, well above the current price of ₹6,000-₹7,000.

This call for solidarity has seen farmers across India unite, despite varying regional issues. The government’s failure to provide basic support to farmers—whether in terms of pricing, storage, or fertilizers—has prompted these widespread protests, which have gained momentum in recent months.

Farmers’ Suffering and the Government’s Silence

The situation in Punjab is just one part of a broader crisis that has engulfed India’s agricultural sector. Over 9,500 farmer suicides have been reported since 2020, and the toll continues to rise. The government has consistently failed to address the root causes of the crisis, including inadequate crop prices, lack of financial support, and poor infrastructure.

Despite these alarming statistics, the Indian government has yet to take decisive action. The farmers’ demands for MSP guarantees have gone largely ignored, and their protests have been met with resistance rather than resolution. The government’s focus on political rhetoric rather than concrete policy changes has only fueled the growing anger among farmers.

Also See: Punjab Farmers Begin Fast-Unto-Death Amid Growing Tensions

A National Crisis: The Plight of India’s Farmer

The protests in Punjab are not merely about regional demands; they reflect a national crisis. India’s farmers are struggling against an agrarian system that has long neglected their needs. From debt to crop failures, from limited access to fertilizers to low market prices, India’s farmers have been left to fend for themselves. Meanwhile, the government, often preoccupied with corporate interests, has offered empty promises and failed reforms.

The situation has become dire. The protests on March 28 represent not just a cry for better MSP, but a fight for survival. The farmers of India, with their backs against the wall, are taking to the streets once more, determined to make their voices heard. How many more must suffer before the government acts?

A Growing Crisis of Neglect

With the deaths of thousands of farmers, increasing economic hardship, and a government that has failed to act, the struggle for fair prices and support is becoming a symbol of broader political failure. As the protests escalate and spread across the country, it’s clear that India’s farmers will not back down—especially not in the face of apathy from those in power.

As India’s farmers fight for survival, their struggle grows louder—and the government’s response, or lack thereof, will determine the future of the country’s agricultural sector.

This news has been compiled for informational purposes based on available data from official sources, eyewitness accounts, and publicly accessible information. Further developments will be reported as they emerge.