In a widespread demonstration of dissent, farmers in Punjab initiated a 'Rail Roko' protest on Sunday, organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The protest aimed to compel the Centre to meet the farmers' demands, prominently including a legal assurance of minimum support price (MSP).

Farmers across 22 districts in Punjab, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bathinda, took part in the protest, vowing to occupy railway tracks at 52 different locations. 

Demands of Farmers

The primary demands of the protesting farmers include a legal guarantee of MSP, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and laborers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Furthermore, they seek reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act - 2013 and compensation for families of farmers who lost their lives during previous agitations. The protest underscores the steadfast resolve of farmers, who continue to press for their rights and fair treatment in the agricultural sector.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent farmer leader, urged the public to join the protest in large numbers, underlining the unified stance of the farming community.

Various farmer unions, such as Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and BKU (Dakaunda-Dhaner), aligned with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, actively participated in the 'rail roko' agitation. Despite not being directly involved in the 'Delhi Chalo' movement, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha has extended its support to ongoing protests at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the Punjab-Haryana border.

The farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, following a halt by security forces on their march towards Delhi.