Tensions are at an all-time high in Punjab as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government and farmer unions face off over the upcoming ‘Chandigarh Chalo’ protest, organized by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). The agitation, scheduled for March 5, has sparked midnight police raids, detentions, and a political standoff that is intensifying by the hour.
On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stormed out of a meeting with SKM leaders after they refused to call off the protest. The SKM, an umbrella body of 37 farmers’ unions, has been pressing for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report and other long-standing demands.
ਅਸੀਂ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਕਿ ਗੱਲ-ਗੱਲ ‘ਤੇ ਸੜਕਾਂ ਤੇ ਰਸਤੇ ਬੰਦ ਕਰਨ ਨਾਲ ਲੋਕ ਤੰਗ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਨੇ। ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਮੰਗਾਂ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਨਾਲ ਸੰਬੰਧਿਤ ਨੇ ਪਰ ਧਰਨੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ‘ਚ ਲਗਾ ਰਹੇ ਨੇ। ਬਿਨਾਂ ਵਜ੍ਹਾ ਤੋਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤੰਗ ਕਰਨਾ ਚੰਗੀ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ।
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हमने किसानों से विनती की कि बात-बात पर सड़कें और रास्ते… pic.twitter.com/I7IYdN3ZAy— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 4, 2025
Confirming the breakdown in talks, Mann defended his actions, stating: “Yes, I left the meeting, and we will detain them as well. We won’t allow farmers to sit on railway tracks and roads.”
He further warned that Punjab cannot be held to ransom by frequent protests, adding: “Every day you hold ‘rail roko’ and ‘sadak roko’ protests. This is causing immense economic losses to Punjab. The state is turning into a land of ‘dharnas’.”
Midnight Raids and Mass Detentions
Hours after Mann walked out, Punjab Police launched a crackdown on farmer leaders, carrying out midnight raids across the state. According to SKM representatives, several union leaders were detained in the early hours of Tuesday.
A viral video shows Krantikari Kisan Union state general secretary Gurmeet Singh Mehma claiming that he was picked up from his residence in Ferozepur. Reports suggest that several farmers have gone underground to avoid arrest.
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Condemning the detentions, BKU (Rajewal) vice president Mukesh Chander Sharma revealed that his house was raided at 4 AM by Punjab Police.
AAP’s Defense: ‘Our Doors Are Open for Talks’
Defending the Punjab government’s actions, AAP spokesperson Malwinder Kang stated that Mann had given a patient hearing to the farmers’ grievances but left for a pre-scheduled doctor’s appointment.
“We were the first to engage in positive discussions. Our doors are always open for talks. However, law and order must be maintained,” Kang told India Today TV.
Punjab Police officials also clarified that the decision to detain farmer leaders was made to prevent disruptions caused by large-scale protests.
Why Are Farmers Protesting?
The ‘Chandigarh Chalo’ protest was announced by the BKU and SKM to push for implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees, loan waivers and better insurance schemes for farmers and resolution of pending agricultural demands
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Farmer unions claim that both state and central governments have failed to fulfill their promises made during previous protests.
With farmer leaders in detention and thousands still mobilizing for the March 5 protest, Punjab is bracing for major disruptions. The standoff is expected to escalate as both sides remain firm on their stance.
