Punjab Bandh: Farmers Protest Brings Statewide Shutdown; Disrupts Services

Farmers across Punjab enforced a statewide bandh on Monday, leading to the closure of shops and disruptions in road and rail services. However, emergency services, including ambulances and marriage vehicles, continued to operate as announced by the organizers.

Farm union leaders initiated a “chakka jam” from 7 am to 4 pm, urging government and private institutions to remain closed. The bandh also halted the supply of milk, fruits, and vegetables until the protest concluded in the evening.

The shutdown called by farmer organizations on Monday received an overwhelming response across Punjab, as protesters mobilized in support of their long-standing demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Despite the widespread shutdown, emergency services continued to operate.

Widespread Disruptions To Transport

Over 200 trains, including Vande Bharat and Shatabadi, were affected, alongside private bus transporters who joined the protest. The shutdown also led to major disruptions in daily commuting, with many national highways closed, severely affecting office-goers and daily commuters.

Impact In Rural Areas

The shutdown was most significant in rural areas, where farmers, including women and the elderly, took to the streets. Farmers, carrying their organizational flags, successfully forced shops to close and blocked roads. Cities like Mohali, Patiala, Ludhiana, Moga, Ferozepur, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, and Jalandhar witnessed businesses shutting down, while private buses remained off the roads. Schools and offices in several areas declared a holiday due to the ongoing strike. However, the shutdown had little to no impact in Chandigarh.

Exemptions For Emergency And Essential Services

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher clarified that emergency services, airport-bound passengers, marriage parties, and students attending exams would be exempted from the shutdown. He urged the people of Punjab, especially the youth, to adhere to the decisions made by the farmer unions while ensuring that essential services continued unhindered.

Farmers’ Continued Protest

The shutdown is part of ongoing protests by farmers who have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana since February 13. Their demands go beyond MSP for crops, including loan waivers and agricultural reforms. Farm leaders also criticize the government for not addressing these issues and reaffirmed their commitment to continue the protest until their demands met.

Hunger Strike Of Jagjit Singh Dallewal

The shutdown also draws attention to the ongoing hunger strike of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who entered the 35th day of his fast on Monday. Despite efforts by a delegation led by retired police officer Jaskaran Singh to convince him to end the fast, Dallewal remains resolute, highlighting the urgency of the farmers’ demands. The protesting unions have also written to President Droupadi Murmu to request a meeting to discuss these pressing issues.

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