At Chandigarh’s gates, farmers turn up the heat
Chandigarh witnessed a third day of a week-long protest by farmers on Thursday, organized by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. Punjab farmers have been gathering at the Chandigarh border since September 1, demanding action on their long-standing issues. Despite repeated memoranda to various authorities, the government has yet to address their concerns.
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) senior leader, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, revealed that a coalition of 32 farmer organizations has decided to escalate the agitation. They have been advocating for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), cancellation of water agreements, and a proper crop insurance scheme. Lakhowal emphasized that four and a half years have passed without any response from the government, and demands remain unmet.
On the water issue, Lakhowal demanded that the Punjab government hold a special session of the state Assembly to cancel previous water agreements. He also called for nationwide protests against the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as farmer unions are preparing for this action. The unions seek a legal guarantee for MSP on 22 crops, a proper crop insurance scheme, and loan waivers for farmers.
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