The standoff between farmers and the Punjab government sharpened on Tuesday, with the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha accusing the Bhagwant Mann-led administration of avoiding dialogue after cancelling yet another scheduled meeting with farmer leaders, the third such instance in less than three months.
The latest meeting, fixed for the day, was called off due to the Chief Minister’s reported engagement in his assembly constituency of Dhuri. Farmer leaders said similar cancellations on February 20 and December 19, 2025 had already weakened trust, and described the repeated withdrawals as a betrayal of the farming community.
Trust Deficit Deepens as Talks Falter
The organisation alleged that scheduling meetings only to cancel them at the last moment reflects a lack of intent to address farmers’ concerns. The absence of sustained engagement, they said, has intensified frustration among those awaiting relief.
Following the latest cancellation, the morcha announced a protest beginning March 22 outside the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner’s office, signalling a clear shift from negotiation to agitation.
Demands Focus on Compensation and Relief
At the centre of the protest are demands for compensation of approximately Rs 3.77 crore for losses incurred during the Shambhu and Khanauri protest fronts. The group has also called for government jobs for families of farmers who lost their lives during the movement, along with adequate financial support for those who were injured.
Farmer leaders further demanded the withdrawal of police, railway, and stubble-burning-related cases registered during the protests, arguing that such actions continue to penalise participants in the agitation. The release of pending flood compensation has also been flagged as an urgent concern.
Peaceful Protests Planned Around CM’s Visits
Even as it prepares for a sustained protest, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha has said it will raise its concerns peacefully during the Chief Minister’s visits to Ludhiana on March 20 and Moga on March 21. The move signals an attempt to hold the government accountable in public while maintaining a non-violent approach.
Leaders indicated that patience is wearing thin, with repeated cancellations undermining expectations of meaningful dialogue.
Policy Demands Broaden the Agitation
Beyond immediate relief, the morcha has urged the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to pass a resolution rejecting the Electricity Amendment Bill, the Seeds Bill, and the Labour Codes. These demands expand the scope of the agitation, placing it within a wider debate over agricultural and labour policies.
With the protest set to begin on March 22, the confrontation appears poised to intensify, as farmers signal a firm escalation while the government faces mounting pressure to re-engage and respond to long-standing grievances.
