The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), a prominent farmers' union, has escalated its agitation by announcing a series of protests across Punjab. The union has declared a two-day demonstration in front of all Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices in the state on December 18 and 19, 2025. It has issued a stern warning that if the government fails to address their grievances following these protests, they will initiate a blockade of rail traffic starting December 20.
Escalation of Agitation and Key Demands
According to KMM coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher, the decision to intensify the protest was a direct response to the Punjab Government's failure to honour commitments made to the farming community. Pandher stated that rail traffic would be specifically targeted at major junctions including Amritsar, Ferozepur, Sangrur, and Bathinda if their demands continue to be ignored after the DC office sit-ins.
The call for this fresh wave of protests was formalized last week after a meeting at Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh, chaired by Jaswinder Singh Longowal, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Azad. The morcha has put forth a list of pressing demands which includes:
- Immediate release of pending flood compensation for affected farmers.
- Unconditional withdrawal of fines and FIRs registered against farmers for stubble burning.
- Timely resolution of all longstanding issues concerning the agricultural community.
In a significant financial claim, the KMM has demanded that the Punjab Government pay a compensation of Rs 3.77 crore for losses and alleged theft suffered by farmers at the Shambhu border protest site. This site was dismantled by police forces in March on government orders.
Allegations Against AAP Government and Police Action
Leaders of the Morcha have launched a scathing attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing it of being indifferent to farmers' plight. They allege that the state administration is covertly facilitating the implementation of the BJP-led central government's policies, which they label as 'anti-farmer'.
"The state government's silence on the Electricity Amendment Draft Bill 2025 clearly shows that it is following the policies of the BJP-led Centre," Pandher asserted. He further alleged, "While criminals roam freely, police carry out raids at 3.30 am to arrest farmer leaders ahead of protests. This is a direct indication that the AAP Government is quietly supporting the BJP."
Another leader, Jang Singh Bhateri, accused the government of transforming Punjab into a "police state," emphasizing that citizens in a democracy retain the right to protest against government policies. The KMM also revealed that authorities had detained over 600 farmers in an attempt to thwart a previously announced road blockade protest on December 5. Despite these detentions, the agitation was successfully held at nearly 20 locations across the state.
Broader Condemnation and National Context
The farmers' body has also expressed strong condemnation of incidents beyond Punjab's borders. It denounced the police lathicharge on protesting farmers in Tibbi town, Rajasthan, on December 10. The KMM accused the BJP government in Rajasthan of siding with corporate interests, ignoring local residents, and violating environmental laws under the guise of promoting ethanol projects.
On a national level, the leaders accused the central government of systematically weakening the rights of states. They claimed that legislation like the Seeds Bill, framed without consulting farmers, is an attempt to hand over agriculture to corporate players, amounting to a betrayal of the farming community. The KMM vowed to oppose all such laws and actions by both state and central governments.
Pandher concluded with a cautionary note, stating, "A rail blockade is not a matter of prestige for farmers and workers. The Government should resolve the issues in time to avoid such an escalation." The stage is now set for a major confrontation as the protest dates draw near, with the potential to significantly disrupt normal life in Punjab.
