Amid rising tensions on the 297th day of the ongoing farmers’ agitation, a group of 101 farmers marching towards Delhi under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM non-political) was met with tear gas shelling by Haryana Police at the Shambhu border on Friday. The confrontation left six farmers injured, including two in serious condition, forcing the protesters to temporarily call off their march and return to the protest site at Shambhu. The farmers have now issued a stern ultimatum to the Central Government, demanding negotiations by Saturday, failing which they plan to resume their march on December 8.
The farmers commenced their march at 1 pm, steadfast in their resolve to bring attention to their demands, particularly the legal guarantee of a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The group, referred to as the “Marjeevda Jatha” (meaning martyrs' brigade), symbolically timed their march to coincide with the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, emphasizing their commitment to sacrifice and peaceful protest.
However, the situation escalated when the farmers, led by prominent leaders, including Surjeet Singh Phul of BKU Krantikari, dismantled temporary barricades erected by Haryana Police. The authorities responded with force, initially deploying pepper spray and subsequently lobbing tear gas shells to halt their advance. This led to chaotic scenes, with several protesters requiring medical attention.
Among the injured were senior farmer leader Surjeet Singh Phul and a young farmer aged 28 Harpreet Singh. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital along with other injured protesters. Despite the injuries, the farmers reiterated their commitment to non-violence and proceed on a peaceful march. “We will not move back. Tomorrow, 100 more will come,” declared a farmer, reflecting the group’s unyielding determination.
Farmers had prepared for potential confrontations, bringing wet sacks to extinguish tear gas shells. Still, the Haryana Police’s multi-layered barricades, including cement walls reinforced with iron mesh, effectively blocked their path. Security forces, numbering over a thousand personnel, were strategically stationed with water cannons and ambulances at the ready.
Farmer leaders expressed disappointment over the use of force. KMM coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher criticized the government’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. “We wanted to peacefully voice our concerns at Jantar Mantar or Ramleela Maidan. What is happening here is being witnessed by the world,” he said.
Pandher further added that the farmers had no intention of clashing with the State Governments and emphasized their primary demand for discussions with the Union Agriculture Minister. “We have given them until tomorrow (Saturday). If talks fail, we will resume the march with double the strength from December 8 (Sunday),” he asserted.
The use of tear gas and the treatment of protesters drew widespread condemnation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi termed the police action “deplorable”, stating that farmers seeking to express their grievances were met with undue force. The episode also reignited debates about the government’s approach to handling peaceful demonstrations, particularly those involving agrarian issues.
The current agitation, dubbed “Kisan Andolan 2.0”, has its roots in the larger farmers’ movement that began in late 2020, during the days of COVID pandemic. Over the past nine months, farmers have been protesting at key border points, including Shambhu on National Highway-44 and Khanauri on the Sangrur-Jind highway. Despite three rounds of talks with the Centre and additional negotiations with Haryana and Punjab governments, the stalemate persists.
Friday’s confrontation follows a similar incident earlier this year when tear gas shelling at the Shambhu border resulted in the tragic death of a young farmer Shubhkaran Singh. The latest events have only heightened the resolve of protesting farmers, many of whom see this movement as a continuation of a generational struggle for agrarian rights.
After 10 months of relentless protests, farmers made their third attempt to cross into Haryana, marking the 297th day of their agitation on Friday. The movement, which began on February 13, has been fraught with tension and tragedy. Two prior attempts to breach the Haryana border — on February 13 and February 21 — were met with resistance, culminating in violent clashes during the February 21 attempt, leaving over 300 protesters injured and claiming the life of 22-year-old Shubhkaran.
The toll of the ongoing agitation has been grim, with over 33 farmers reported dead at the protest sites near the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, underscoring the enduring hardships faced by the farming community.
Following the farmers’ announcement to resume their Delhi Chalo andolan by proceeding on march, the Shambhu border was transformed into a fortified zone with Haryana Police resorting to tear gas shelling, using pepper spray and putting up barricades, in an apparent attempt to dissuade farmers to proceed their march, while urging them to return. Despite these measures, the farmers remained resolute. “They can build as many walls as they want, but our determination is stronger,” said Gurdev Singh, a 70-year-old farmer — a “veteran protester”.
The logistical arrangements for the march were meticulous, with farmers carrying essential supplies and medical rescue teams on standby. Kuljinder Singh, a marginal farmer leading the group, described his commitment, “I have handed over my land to my son and dedicated myself to this cause. This is not just about us; it is about the future of farming.”
As the farmers regroup at the Shambhu protest site, the ball is now in the Central Government’s court. The ultimatum issued by the protesters underscores the urgency of the situation. If no progress is made by Saturday, the march scheduled for December 8 is expected to draw even greater participation, potentially setting the stage for another high-stakes confrontation.
BOX: Farmers’ 13 Demands
· Enact a law guaranteeing MSP for all crops
· Set prices based on the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations
· Address shortages of DAP fertilizers
· Waive off farmers’ and farm labourers’ loans, and provide pensions
· Reinstate the Land Acquisition Act of 2013
· Punish the guilty in the Lakhimpur Kheri case
· Ban unfair trade agreements
· Provide compensation and government jobs to families of deceased protestors
· Repeal the 2020 Electricity Amendment Bill
· Guarantee 200 days of MGNREGA work annually with a daily wage of Rs 700
· Impose strict controls on companies selling fake seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers
· Form a National Commission for sugarcane, pulses, and other crops
· Stop transferring tribal lands listed under the Constitution's Fifth Schedule
