Punjab is preparing for a statewide bandh today as farmers intensify their protests over unresolved demands. They have blocked the roads at many places across the state, resulting in traffic disruption.
The agitation, which has drawn the Supreme Court’s attention, continues to intensify, with the state government attempting to negotiate with fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal but failing to make any progress.
Dallewal has been on a hunger strike for over a month as part of a protest organized by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a non-political group. They have been camped at Shambhu and Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border since February 13 of this year. The farmers are demanding several things, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP).
Despite repeated attempts, the Punjab government has not succeeded in breaking the impasse. A team deputed by the Punjab government on Sunday made attempts to persuade Dallewal to take medical aid, but he declined and feared that force may be used to evict him from the protest site, reported PTI.
With 70-year-old Dallewal's indefinite hunger strike entering its 34th day on Sunday, farmer leaders at Khanauri said they have been following the Gandhian way to continue their protest, and it is up to the government to decide whether it wants to use force to evict their senior leader.
On Friday, the Supreme Court, currently hearing a related matter, indicated that it is closely monitoring the situation in Punjab and said that there was an "impression" that the Punjab government was 'not doing enough to save Dallewal's life'. While the court has urged dialogue and resolution, tensions on the ground remain high.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Sunday, said though there will be a complete bandh, emergency services will be allowed to operate. "The bandh will be observed from 7 am to 4 pm. However, emergency services will remain operational. Anyone travelling to the airport to catch a flight or anyone going to attend a job interview, or anyone needs to attend a wedding... all these things have been kept out of our bandh call," he told PTI.
Over 150 trains, including Vande Bharat, were cancelled for Monday, and all educational institutes are to remain closed.
The Punjab government has reiterated its commitment to addressing the farmers' concerns but has called for patience and cooperation to resolve the crisis amicably. However, with no headway in talks and the bandh in full swing, the standoff appears over.
An Indian Express report citing a government functionary said, “As of now, there is no headway. Dallewal is adamant, that he does not want to break his fast until the Centre agrees to the farmers’ demands, the foremost being a legal guarantee for MSP on all crops and the waiver of debts of farmers.”
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