Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s meeting with leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) — a pan India farmers body — ended in disarray on Monday, as the Chief Minister walked out midway, leaving farmers frustrated and determined to move forward with their planned protest in Chandigarh on March 5. The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, failed to resolve any of the farmers’ grievances, further straining the relationship between the Punjab Government and the agricultural community.

The meeting was convened by the Punjab Government to address the demands of farmers and persuade them to cancel their scheduled protest in the state capital. However, the discussions remained inconclusive, with farmer leaders accusing the Chief Minister of leaving abruptly without addressing their concerns.

Joginder Singh Ugrahan, a prominent farmer leader and president of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugahan), declared that the farmers would proceed with their protest in Chandigarh on March 5 as planned.

Farmers Allege Disrespect, CM Cites Health Issues

Farmer leaders expressed their disappointment over the Chief Minister’s conduct during the meeting. Senior SKM leader and BKU (Rajewal) head Balbir Singh Rajewal said that only half of their 17-point memorandum was discussed before the Chief Minister left the meeting.

Mann reportedly cited an eye infection and a prior doctor’s appointment as the reason for his early departure. Before leaving, he asked the farmers what they planned to do on March 5, to which the farmers did not respond. Mann then stated that if the farmers were determined to protest, he would not participate in further discussions.

Rajewal criticized the Chief Minister’s behaviour, calling it “inappropriate”. “It is unclear whether any agreement has been reached on the issues discussed,” he said, emphasizing that the farmers would not have planned the protest if their demands had been met.

CM Appeals for Calm, Farmers Stand Firm

Following the meeting, Chief Minister Mann took to social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to explain his stance. He wrote in Punjabi and Hindi, “In today’s meeting at Punjab Bhawan, I appealed to the honorable leaders of the farmer delegation that blocking roads, stopping trains, or shutting down Punjab is not a solution to any problem. Such actions cause inconvenience to the common people and adversely affect the work and businesses of other sections of society. We must consider this as well.” Despite Mann’s appeal, the farmers remain steadfast in their decision to protest. The SKM has accused the Government of failing to address their long-standing demands, which include loan waivers, compensation for crop damage, and the implementation of a one-time settlement scheme for NABARD loans. Other key demands include the distribution of case-free land in villages, solutions for stray animals, and the issuance of rifle licenses to farmers to protect their crops from animal attacks.

Farmers’ Struggle Intensifies

The farmers’ agitation in Punjab and Haryana shows no signs of abating. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a farmer leader, has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 98 days now demanding legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) from the Centre. On March 5, 101 farmers will stage a one-day hunger strike at the Khanauri border to mark the completion of 100 days of his protest. Additionally, the SKM has announced a nationwide farmers’ mahapanchayat (grand assembly) in March, with an online meeting scheduled to finalize the details. On March 8, a women farmers’ panchayat will also be organized.

Crop Damage Adds to Farmers’ Woes

The recent hailstorms and unseasonal rains have exacerbated the farmers’ plight, causing significant damage to crops in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Mustard and wheat crops in Amritsar, Ambala, and border areas of Rajasthan have been particularly affected. Farmer leaders have demanded immediate scientific assessment of crop damage using drones and satellite technology, similar to the methods used to monitor stubble burning. They have also called for timely compensation and urged crop insurance companies to conduct surveys in the affected areas.

The failed meeting between the Punjab Government and the SKM highlighted the growing divide between the two sides. While the Chief Minister has urged farmers to avoid protests that disrupt daily life, the farmers feel their concerns are being ignored. With the March 5 protest looming, the situation remains tense, and the possibility of further escalation cannot be ruled out.