Chandigarh (Punjab) [India]: Tensions escalated between protesting farmers and the Punjab government as farmer leaders accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of losing his temper during a meeting held in Chandigarh on Monday. The meeting aimed to persuade farmers to call off their planned March 5 protest at the Khanauri border in Sangrur district.
Farmer Leaders Criticize CM’s Behavior
Balbir Singh Rajewal, a prominent farmer leader, described the Chief Minister’s outburst as unprecedented.
“The meeting was going on well, and we were coming to agreements on several issues. After we came to an agreement on the eighth issue, the CM said he wanted to leave, owing to a doctor’s appointment. Then he asked about our plans for March 5. He became very angry and left the meeting saying ‘do whatever you want to do’,” Rajewal stated. He emphasized that he had never seen such behavior in negotiations, not even in discussions with Prime Minister-level officials.
Raminder Patila, another farmer leader, criticized the Chief Minister’s attitude, calling it condemnable.
“We had a memorandum of 18 demands, and we had reached the 8th point when he straight up asked us not to protest on March 5. If he will not listen to our demands, we have the right to make ourselves heard,” Patila said. He further added that the farmers would return on March 5 for an indefinite protest if their demands were not met.
Harinder Singh Lakhowal, another key leader, claimed that CM Mann’s reaction was uncalled for.
“Earlier he had asked us not to protest, he would solve our problems through meetings. We said that you don’t meet with us without protests. The same has happened now. He got angry and asked us to sit for protests then,” Lakhowal remarked. He also compared Mann’s conduct unfavorably with his past experiences in meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, stating that no leader had displayed such anger.
Farmers’ Demands and the Stalled Meeting
The farmers had presented a memorandum of 18 demands during the meeting. Discussions had reportedly reached the eighth point when CM Mann, citing a doctor’s appointment, abruptly ended the meeting. The abrupt end left the farmers frustrated, particularly given that the meeting had been convened at the Chief Minister’s invitation.
Key demands from the farmers included:
- Better MSP (Minimum Support Price) for crops.
- Loan waivers and financial relief for struggling farmers.
- Solutions for stubble burning issues without penal actions.
- Assurances on power supply and fertilizer availability.
Planned March 5 Protest
Angered by the CM’s conduct, the farmers have resolved to proceed with their planned indefinite protest starting March 5 in Chandigarh.
“We will come back on 5th March and force the CM to sit with us… We wanted thorough discussions, and we will not accept it if he tries to curtail or dictate our discussions,” said Raminder Patila.
Central Government’s Involvement
In a related development, on February 22, three Union Ministers held a meeting with farmer leaders in Chandigarh as part of the central government’s outreach efforts. The ministers assured that they would review the reports and data presented by the farmers and proceed with discussions on March 19. This was the second such meeting following an earlier session on February 14.
Outlook
As the stand-off between the farmers and the Punjab government intensifies, all eyes will be on the March 5 protest and the March 19 meeting with central ministers to see if a resolution can be reached.