Mann’s Walkout From Farmers’ Meet Sparks Fresh Political Firestorm

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s decision to abruptly walk out of a crucial meeting with farmer leaders on Monday has escalated tensions, triggering a wave of detentions and political backlash. The meeting in Chandigarh, called by Mann himself to discuss the Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s (SKM) demands ahead of their planned protest, ended abruptly after two hours, with the CM telling farmers to proceed with their agitation before leaving in frustration.

The fallout was immediate. By Monday night and into Tuesday, Punjab Police launched a crackdown, detaining over 350 farmer leaders to prevent their march to Chandigarh on March 5. Among those detained were Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Balbir Singh Rajewal and leaders Omkar Singh Agoul and Rulda Singh Mansa.

The Lead-Up: Government Hardens Its Stance

Mann’s walkout didn’t come out of nowhere. His government had been signaling a tougher approach toward farmer protests in recent weeks. Punjab AAP chief and cabinet minister Aman Arora, speaking in the Assembly on February 25, had urged farmers to clear blockades at Shambhu and Khanauri, citing heavy losses to trade and industry. “Businesses are suffering losses worth crores as investors hesitate to enter Punjab,” he said.

That same day, Mann met with industrialists from Jalandhar who urged him to remove road blockades. Business owners and traders have repeatedly raised concerns over the disruptions caused by prolonged farmer agitations.

Mann Defends Walkout, Says Punjab is Suffering

Breaking his silence on Tuesday, Mann justified his actions, insisting that his priority was the entire state, not just protesting farmers. “I am responsible for 3.5 crore Punjabis. The state is suffering economically and is now being labeled a ‘land of dharnas (protests).’ My patience should not be mistaken for weakness,” he said.

He criticized SKM for refusing to call off the March 5 protest. “I asked them if they would cancel it. They refused. Then why did they make me sit there for two hours? Their demands are not even within the state’s jurisdiction—they are for the Centre. They were wasting my time,” Mann said.

Sources in the administration suggest the government believes public support for the protests is waning. “There is growing resentment among the common people. Businesses are taking a hit, and even delivery services have increased their charges due to these disruptions,” an official said, adding that Mann’s tough stance is likely to continue.

Opposition, Farmers Slam CM’s ‘Arrogance’

Mann’s abrupt departure has fueled anger among farmers and opposition parties alike. SKM Punjab chief Balbir Singh Rajewal accused the CM of overreacting. “We were halfway through discussing our 18-point memorandum when he got up and left. He said he had an eye infection and needed to see a doctor. We have met many leaders, including the Prime Minister, but this is the first time a CM has walked out in the middle of talks,” Rajewal said.

BKU (Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan echoed similar sentiments. “We have met CMs before—Parkash Singh Badal, Captain Amarinder Singh, Charanjit Singh Channi—but never have we seen such behavior.”

The opposition wasted no time in slamming Mann’s handling of the crisis. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa called it “arrogant and dictatorial,” warning, “The people of Punjab will not tolerate this kind of governance.”

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also condemned the police action against farmers. “First, Mann threatened farmer leaders in a meeting he called. Then, overnight, police raided their homes and detained them. This is nothing short of a dictatorship. The SAD stands with farmers,” he said.

With farmers now more determined to march on March 5, and opposition parties sharpening their attacks, Mann’s handling of the crisis has set the stage for an even bigger political showdown.