Chandigarh, 24 December 2024 – On Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged the central government to set aside its “stubbornness” and engage in discussions with the farmers protesting at the state’s borders. Their protest, centered around demands such as a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP), has been ongoing for months.
Farmers, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13. This followed a blockade that stopped their march to Delhi by security forces.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a hunger strike at Khanauri since November 26 to pressure the government into addressing the farmers’ demands. His fast reached a critical stage on Sunday as doctors described his health condition as “serious.”
On social media, CM Mann urged the Centre to end the impasse, asking, “If Modi ji can negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine, why can’t he talk to farmers just 200 km away?”
Between December 6 and 14, 101 farmers tried to march to Delhi but were intercepted by security personnel in Haryana. Mann had also called for dialogue on December 19, reiterating that the government has a duty to resolve the matter through discussions. “Any issue can be resolved if there’s a willingness to talk,” he added.
