In a politically charged atmosphere, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Patiala visit on Thursday is expected to be a high-stakes event, with security agencies ramping up measures to unprecedented levels. As intelligence agencies place the border state on high alert, the stage is set not only for a significant election rally but also for a showdown with protesting farmers. Their declaration to greet Modi with “peaceful” protest and black flags is likely to add a layer of tension and drama during his visit, ensuring that all eyes will be on Punjab for this potentially explosive intersection of politics and farmers’ protest.
Central security agencies, which have placed Punjab on high alert, have asked the Punjab Police to submit detailed security arrangements to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), including coordination with the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos and seven companies from Gujarat Police, alongside local security measures. The PMO has also requested inputs from the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) concerning the farmers' agitation.
Security measures have been particularly stringent due to past incidents. Notably, on January 5, 2022, PM Modi’s convoy was stranded on a flyover in Ferozepur, near India-Pakistan international border, for 30 minutes due to a blockade by the protesters, raising significant security concerns. The Supreme Court subsequently ordered an investigation into the security lapse, underlining the critical importance of robust security protocols for the Prime Minister’s visits.
On Wednesday, nearly 2,000 police personnel were deployed at the rally venue, Polo Ground, transforming it into a virtual fortress. These personnel have been tasked with managing barricades and maintaining internal security. Under the supervision of ADGP PK Sinha, Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) from four districts reviewed the security and barricading arrangements. Additionally, bomb disposal squads and dog units were actively inspecting the stage and sound systems.
From midnight on Wednesday, access to the rally venue will be restricted, with only individuals carrying valid identification being allowed entry on the day of the rally. Surrounding areas, including markets, have been closed off to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring the safety of both the Prime Minister and attendees.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, who visit the venue to oversee the preparations for mega event, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming rally, noting the significant public interest and the party's thorough preparations. Jakhar, along with other senior leaders, has been overseeing the arrangements to ensure the rally's success.
Adding a layer of complexity to the event, Punjab's farmers have announced a peaceful protest against the Prime Minister's visit. Led by various factions of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), including the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ugrahan and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), the farmers plan to greet PM Modi with black flags and farmers’ flags. This protest is in response to what they perceive as unfulfilled promises made during the previous farmer agitations, particularly regarding the minimum support price (MSP) for crops and justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
SKM senior member Jagmohan Singh Patiala emphasized their intent to peacefully demonstrate at every rally venue. He highlighted the farmers’ unity and their determination to question the Prime Minister on the unmet commitments he made on December 9, 2021, when they ended their year-long protest at the Delhi borders.
Another senior leader and member of SKM Balbir Singh Rajewal assured that a large contingent of farmers and labourers would peacefully protest in Patiala. Despite the assurances of peaceful protests, there are concerns about potential preventive arrests of farmers to avoid any disruption.
During the Patiala rally, only a select group of leaders will join PM Modi on stage, including the state unit chief Jakhar, Gujarat’s former Chief Minister and state party affairs’ in-charge Vijay Rupani, and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, alongside party’s national leaders and candidates. Other senior state BJP leaders and officials will remain offstage, a decision influenced by security considerations as directed by the PMO.
Farmers Gear Up for Protest
With the Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to kickstart party’s poll campaign from Patiala on Thursday, the farmer groups in Punjab are mobilizing for protests. Wednesday marked 100 days since the farmers’ Delhi Chalo andolan began at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders in Punjab. To commemorate this milestone, a massive convention was held at the Punjab-Haryana border, drawing thousands of farmers. During the convention, farmers devised a strategy to confront the Central Government, while announcing their intention to march en masse to meet the Prime Minister during his Punjab visit and question him directly.
Farmer leaders at the convention criticized the Central Government's policies and urged the farmers to channel their anger through their votes in the upcoming elections. They highlighted that despite the Government's promise to address their grievances after repealing the three controversial farm laws in November 2021, many issues remain unresolved. The farmers planned to question Modi about the unfulfilled promises made when they called off their protests at the Delhi borders in December 2021.
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee head Swaran Singh Pandher, expressing frustration, said: “Despite our requests to allow us to go to Delhi being denied and our plea to engage with Modi unanswered, the authorities continue to restrict our movements. We will proceed to Patiala tomorrow, pushing until they concede. Democracy must apply to us too; we have the right to voice our dissent.”
Determined to make their voices heard, Pandher asserted that the farmers would greet Modi with black flags and farmers’ flags, symbolizing their ongoing struggle and dissatisfaction. “We have asked the administration to let us hold talks with the Prime Minister…but they are not doing this, so we are left with no other option but to protest," he added.
During the convention, farmer leaders also decided to escalate their protests from May 28. They declared to gherao the residences of BJP leaders and set up pakka morchas (protest camps). On June 2, a large number of farmers with tractors and trolleys will march to the protest sites.
The farmers expressed their frustration over the government’s lack of responsiveness to their plight, even after 100 days of continuous protest. They reminded the public that over 700 farmers had died during the initial phase of the agitation, and the struggle continues to take its toll.
Adding to the tension, farmers are angered by recent statements from BJP leaders Hansraj Hans and Ravneet Singh Bittu, who have challenged the farmers' resolve. Hans Raj Hans had reportedly said: “We will deal with the farmers after June 2,” prompting the farmers to intensify their protests starting May 28.
Pandher also reiterated the farmers’ demands for a guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) on 23 crops and increased labour guarantees and wages for farmworkers. He dismissed allegations that the farmers were causing public inconvenience, stating that the security forces, not the farmers, had blocked the roads around the Shambhu protest site.
The government, Pandher alleged, is manipulating the narrative to weaken the farmers’ movement, but the farmers remain steadfast in their resolve.
Khalistani Flag Found Hoisted in Patiala Ahead of PM’s Visit
Just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled rally in Patiala, tensions rose as a Khalistani flag was discovered hoisted atop an under-construction building along Mini Sachivalaya road on Wednesday. The building in question belongs to Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, former media advisor to former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Notably, a pro-Khalistani slogan was also found graffitied at a separate location within the city.
The incident gained attention after Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), shared a video of the flag’s presence, which quickly went viral. Prompt action followed the discovery, with local authorities removing the flag and scrubbing off the pro-Khalistan graffiti found on a bridge near the old bus stand. However, no official case has been registered in connection with the incident as of now.
