The farmers of Punjab are rallying once again, as leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has called for a ‘Rail Roko’ protest on Wednesday, set to last for three hours, starting from 12 noon. This latest development arises amid what has become nearly 310 days of uninterrupted protests against the central government’s perceived negligence. Speaking to ANI, Pandher urged the Punjabi populace to come together for the protest, saying, “Tomorrow we will conduct Rail Roko; I urge everyone to stop railways from 12 to 3 PM.”
During this pivotal moment, Pandher emphasized the importance of unity, declaring, “Support farmers' protests more and more. The Punjabis need to fight as one.” His statement reflects the sentiments of many farmers who are feeling pressured to raise awareness about their grievances against the central government.
Farmers have been vocal about their frustrations, with Pandher himself accusing the central government of failing to resolve their longstanding issues. He noted, “All unions are trying to protest in a uniform manner. Our protest is not against the state government.” This clarity indicates the collective frustration shared by farmers across Punjab and their call for government action.
A central figure amplifying the urgency is Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur). Dallewal’s situation has taken a serious turn; he has been on hunger strike for 21 days and his health has reportedly become “critical.” Pandher warned, “If anything happens, then the central government will be responsible for it.” The warning highlights the hazardous lengths to which these farmers are going to advocate for their rights.
The pressure seems to be mounting not just on the farmers but on the central government as well. “There is pressure from 140 crore Indians, 3 crore Punjabis, and 2.5 crore Haryanvis on the Modi government... We have 12 demands,” asserted Pandher, indicating the widespread support for the farmers’ cause across India.
Adding political fuel to the fire, Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion notice on Tuesday morning within the Lok Sabha to discuss Dallewal’s worsening condition. His notice emphasizes the urgent need for dialogue, pointing out, “Mr. Dallewal is incritical condition, with medical experts advising immediate hospitalization due to his deteriorated health. Despite this, he has refused medical intervention.”
Tagore’s intervention is meant to compel the central government to take proactive measures and to engage meaningfully with farmer representatives, which reinforces the farmers' demands for resolving pertinent issues through discussion. This plea may resonate within the corridors of power, urging leaders to reconsider their approach toward the crisis.
The cumulative intensity of the farmers’ protests and the growing political attention signifies not just the dire situation of the movement, but also the larger ramifications for Indian democracy, illustrating the struggle of agrarian communities against systemic challenges.
All eyes will be on Punjab tomorrow as the farmers halt train services, underscoring their unity and determination to drive home their demands. The outcome of this protest, viewed through the lens of the precarious health of leaders like Dallewal, could shape the future of these protests and their relation to the central government.
Indeed, the actions taken—or not taken—by the Modi government could have lasting impacts on the farmers’ movement and the agricultural policies of India.
With over ten demands identified, the farmers refuse to relent, echoing through Punjab and beyond, the message loudly: they are tired of waiting for answers and expect meaningful engagement, lest their struggle be misunderstood as mere dissatisfaction but rather as the urgent cry of agricultural distress.
