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The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday directed the Haryana Government to remove within a week barricades set up at the Shambhu border near Ambala, where farmers have been camping since February 13 in support of their demands, including legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP).
 
Directions were also issued to the states of Haryana and Punjab to coordinate with each other to ensure the maintenance of law and order at the border.
 
The directions came on a number of public interest litigations seeking to stay all obstructive actions by the Centre and the Punjab and Haryana Governments against the farmers’ ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest, which was halted on February 13.
 
Issuing the directions against the “unlawful sealing” of the border to prevent farmers from “protesting peacefully”, the Bench, comprising Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Vikas Bahl, took note of the inconvenience caused to the general public following the closure of the border, and the reduced strength of the protestors over a period of time.
 
Notably, the Haryana Government had set up barricades at Ambala-New Delhi national highway in February on the inter-state border between Punjab and Haryana when the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) had announced their decision to move towards Delhi in support of their demands.
 
Following farmers’ protest, the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana has been closed for public transport for over five months now. However, the number of farmers camping at the site has gradually declined.
 
Also taking note of the FSL report filed on young farmer Shubhkaran Singh’s death on February 21, the Bench made it clear that the matter would be investigated by Haryana as the incident had taken place within the State’s jurisdiction. The detailed order in the matter was awaited.
 
Haryana Cabinet Minister Mool Chand Sharma, talking to reporters in Chandigarh, said that High Court’s order over this issue will be implemented. “Holding peaceful protests is everyone’s democratic right. No one will be allowed to take law in their hands,” he added.
 
Haryana Additional Advocate-General Deepak Sabharwal, speaking to reporters, said that the court has directed the Haryana Government to remove barricading within seven days. The Bench also maintained that in case any law and order situation arises, it can take preventive action as per law.
 
“The Punjab Government has also been told that if there is any barricading at their side, it should also be removed,” said Sabharwal, adding that the barricades were set up on February 10 to maintain law and order.
 
 
Farmers, Traders Welcome HC Direction
Farmer leader, particularly from Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) protesting at Shambhu Border for 148 days, welcomed the High Court’s directions, and may soon resume their march towards Delhi. The decision regarding the same will be taken in July 16 meeting.
 
Along with the farmers, the traders, industrialists, and transporters in Punjab have also greeted with relief the High Court’s directive to the Haryana Government to dismantle barricades at the Shambhu border. The barricades, installed since February to impede farmers en route to Delhi, have significantly disrupted transport and business operations in the region.
 
“We welcome this decision by the High Court,” stated Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of KMM. “Once we receive the official order, we will review it with our legal team. A meeting on July 16 will determine our future actions. If the highway is reopened, we are prepared to resume our march towards Delhi in peaceful protest,” he said.
 
Pandher emphasized that the High Court’s order underscores that it was the Haryana Government, and not the farmers, who obstructed the highway. Despite the blockade, farmers have kept service lanes open for commuters, demonstrating their commitment to non-violent protest.
 
The closure has adversely affected businesses across Punjab, leading to increased transport costs and logistical challenges. “The business community is relieved by the Court’s decision,” said All Industries and Trade Forum president Badish Jindal, adding that it is crucial for us that normal traffic resumes swiftly.
 
Amidst these developments, concerns persist over the well-being of protesters and the economic toll of the blockade. The tragic loss of 26 lives, including 22-year-old Shubhkaran Singh who died from injuries sustained at the border, underscored the tensions surrounding the protests.
 
Looking ahead, farmers plan to stage a protest at the Ambala Superintendent of Police’s office on July 17, demanding the release of Navdeep Singh Jalbera, a prominent union leader detained since March.
 
AAP, Cong hail HC Decision
The ruling AAP and the principal opposition Congress have lauded the High Court's directive. Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa, commending the High Court's directive, condemned the Haryana Government's actions in barricading the Shambhu border. Bajwa criticized the BJP-led Haryana government for undemocratically obstructing the farmers' right to protest. He rebuked the BJP-led Haryana Government for violating the basic tenets of democracy.
 
“The violence inflicted on farmers, including the tragic death of Shubhkaran Singh and the injuries to Preetpal Singh, besides several farmers losing their vision due to pellet injuries underscores the brutality faced by the protesters,” Bajwa said, while urging the High Court to take serious note of the same to ensure justice as the Haryana Police committed barbarity on the peacefully protesting farmers.
 
AAP’s state spokesperson Neel Garg emphasized that the Court’s intervention was crucial in ensuring that the demands of the farmers are acknowledged. “The farmers' demands for legalizing MSP and repealing anti-farmer laws are legitimate,” said Garg, criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to fulfill promises made to farmers, leading them to take their protests to Delhi.
 
“In light of over 750 farmer deaths due to the government's negligence and repressive policies, the Court's decision brings much-needed relief,” said Garg. He highlighted that the opening of the border will not only ease travel for commuters but also provide farmers an opportunity to peacefully convey their grievances to the Central Government.
 
Both AAP and Congress expressed solidarity with the farmers' ongoing struggle and pledged continued support in their fight for agricultural reforms and justice.