The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), a prominent farmer forum, has launched a major agitation against the state and central governments, accusing them of making anti-farmer decisions. The forum announced a series of escalating protests, starting with the symbolic burning of contentious legislative documents during the upcoming Lohri festival.
Phase One: Lohri Bonfires to Consume Controversial Bills
In a significant move, the KMM declared that on January 13, copies of three key pieces of legislation will be burned in Lohri bonfires at the village level across Punjab. The targeted documents are the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, the Seed Bill 2025, and the VB G RAM G. This act is intended as a powerful symbol of rejection by the farming community.
Escalating Protest: Smart Meter Removal and Political Sit-ins
The agitation is planned to intensify rapidly. In the second phase on January 21 and 22, protesters will remove smart meters and deposit them at nearby electricity offices. Following this, the Morcha's leadership will convene for a meeting in Rajasthan on January 24–25. The pressure will then shift directly onto Punjab's political representatives, with sit-ins scheduled outside the residences of state ministers and MLAs on February 5.
Key Demands and Accusations Against the Government
KMM leaders Sarvan Singh Pandher and Manjit Singh Rai stated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be formally questioned on January 18 regarding several unresolved issues. These include the dismantling of the Shambhu–Khanauri morcha, the alleged theft of trolleys, and other pending demands.
The leaders accused the government of evading responsibility, noting, "The govt is evading responsibility for compensating for losses incurred during the Shambhu–Khanauri morchas, despite the fact that consensus was already reached on several demands."
The Morcha's core demands are comprehensive and include:
- Compensation and government jobs for the families of farmers and workers who died during the agitations.
- Withdrawal of all cases related to stubble burning, red entries, and associated penalties.
- Immediate release of pending compensation for farmers affected by floods.
- The passage of a resolution against the Electricity Amendment Bill in the Punjab Legislative Assembly.
The planned protests signal a renewed period of confrontation between the farmer bodies and the government, with the Lohri bonfires set to ignite the next chapter of the agitation.
