Punjab bandh: Check what’s open and closed amid farmers protest

Farmers in Punjab began a statewide bandh on Monday, December 30, from 7 am to 4 pm, as part of their ongoing protest against the government’s refusal to meet their demands. The bandh, organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, caused major disruptions across the state. Protestors blocked key roads and highways, including the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway, Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza, and at entry points in Amritsar’s Golden Gate. Similar protests occurred in Bathinda’s Rampura Phul, leading to significant traffic congestion and delays.

The farmers’ main demand is a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Additionally, they are seeking debt waivers, pension provisions for farmers, the withdrawal of police cases filed against them, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Farmers have been protesting these issues since 2020, with their demonstrations intensifying in 2023 after the government failed to respond to their demands. The protests have been ongoing at the Punjab-Haryana border since February 13, 2023, after their march to Delhi was blocked by security forces.

The bandh caused significant disruption to rail services, with 150 trains, including premium services like Vande Bharat and Shatabdi, being canceled. Both passenger and freight train operations were severely impacted across the region. In addition to train cancellations, the strike disrupted bus services throughout Punjab, causing further inconvenience for commuters. Despite these disruptions, farmer leaders assured that emergency services, such as medical treatments and essential travel, would continue without hindrance.

As the bandh continued, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent farmer leader, entered his 35th day of hunger strike, refusing medical treatment. Dallewal has stated that he will continue his protest until the government addresses the farmers’ demands. The Supreme Court intervened in the matter, granting the Punjab government until December 31 to convince Dallewal to seek medical attention, with the possibility of the state seeking central government assistance if necessary.

The ongoing protests at the Punjab-Haryana border and the December 30 bandh are part of a broader movement that has seen farmers demand better policies for agriculture. These demands include a fair MSP for crops, support for farmers in debt, pension plans for agricultural workers, and a resolution for the legal cases filed against protestors. Farmers also continue to call for justice for those killed in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Despite the disruption caused by the bandh, the farmers remain steadfast in their pursuit of these demands.