Punjab Farmers Commemorate Second Anniversary of Activist's Death
Farm forums across Punjab solemnly observed the second death anniversary of young farmer activist Shubkaran Singh on Saturday. The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) organized memorial events at multiple locations to honor the 21-year-old from Balloke village in Bathinda district.
Tragic Incident and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Shubkaran Singh lost his life on February 21, 2024, during a confrontation at the Khanauri protest site. Haryana Police personnel fired shots while attempting to prevent protesting farmers from advancing toward Delhi. The farmers were marching from both Khanauri and Shambhu borders to demand a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) on all crops, calculated with a C2+50% profit margin.
A bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court recently adjourned a related petition sine die on September 15, 2025, pending a decision from the Supreme Court on the broader case.
Memorial Events and Political Criticism
The BKU Ekta Sidhupur, affiliated with SKM NP, hosted the primary anniversary program at Balloke village, Shubkaran's native home. Representatives from other SKM NP constituents attended the gathering. During tributes, KMM leaders launched sharp criticism against both the BJP-led central government and the AAP-led Punjab government.
They accused both administrations of neglecting farmers' issues and demanded that the Punjab government explain why no action has been taken against those responsible for Shubkaran's killing. The farmers emphasized that neither government has addressed the core demands for which Shubkaran sacrificed his life.
Comprehensive List of Farmer Demands
The farm organizations presented a detailed set of demands during the anniversary observations:
- Legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all agricultural produce
- Scrapping of international trade agreements or, at minimum, excluding agriculture and dairy sectors from such deals
- Halting the proposed Electricity Bill and Seeds Bill legislation
- Revitalization of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
- Compensation for farmers who suffered losses during recent floods
- Compensation for property demolitions at Khanauri and Shambhu protest sites
- Withdrawal of cases filed against farmers for stubble burning
- Passage of resolutions in the state assembly against water-sharing agreements and certain bills
Recent Protest Tensions and Political Reactions
Farm leaders also condemned recent police actions against protesting farmers. They described the Punjab government's treatment of BKU Ekta Ugrahan protesters earlier this week as unacceptable, particularly the use of tear gas shells to suppress what they called farmers' fundamental right to protest.
Giani Harpreet Singh, president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), posted on social media: "Humble tribute to young farmer Shubhkaran Singh Ballo, who was martyred by a police bullet at Khanauri border on Feb 21, 2024. Farmers who were peacefully protesting for their agricultural rights were stopped by the Haryana Govt, attacked with drones, and bullets were fired within Punjab's territory. The Punjab Government remained a silent spectator. On the occasion of the second anniversary of that young farmer's martyrdom, the Punjab Government should clarify what action has been taken so far on the FIR registered regarding his death."
The anniversary events highlighted ongoing tensions between farming communities and government authorities, with demands for justice and policy changes remaining unresolved two years after the tragic incident.
