Punjab Bandh: Ongoing Disruptions, What’s Open and Closed?

The ongoing Punjab Bandh, called by farmers protesting the Centre’s failure to ensure a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops, has led to significant disruptions across the state. Rail and road services have been severely affected, with commercial establishments shut in many areas. Farmers have been staging protests on key roads, blocking traffic as part of their bandh.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a post on X, called for dialogue between the Centre and farmers, stating, “If Modi ji can mediate between Russia and Ukraine, why can’t he talk to the farmers just 200 kilometers away?”

What’s Open and What’s Closed Due to the Bandh?

Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent farmer leader, stated that essential services, including emergency services, would continue to operate. He assured that those needing to travel for critical purposes, such as catching a flight, attending an interview, or going to a wedding, would be allowed to pass through protest zones.

“All establishments are closed today. Punjab has united in support of this movement,” Pandher said. He also confirmed that train services had been suspended, with no trains entering the state.

In Phagwara, farmers staged protests near the Sugarmill crossing on NH-44, blocking roads leading to Nakodar, Hoshiarpur, and Nawanshahr. Additionally, they blocked the Behram toll plaza on the Phagwara-Banga road, and grain markets in several areas were also closed.

Why Are Farmers Protesting?

Farmers have been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border for several months, demanding a legal guarantee for MSP on their crops. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent leader in the protest, entered his 35th day of hunger strike on Monday. Dallewal has stated he will not end his fast until the government meets the farmers’ demands.

The Supreme Court has given the Punjab government until December 31 to persuade Dallewal to end his hunger strike and be moved to a hospital. The state has been given the option to seek logistical support from the Centre if needed.

Farmers, under the banners of SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camped at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.