Punjab farmers, under the banner of the All India Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, are set to hold protests across 22 districts on Monday as part of a nationwide campaign. The demonstrations will take place at nearly 74 locations, with effigy-burning planned to highlight the acute shortage of urea fertilizer.
Protest Details
The protests will commence at 9:30 AM at all major locations and continue into the afternoon. Key districts include Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Moga, Patiala, Rupnagar, Mofeswhali, Sangrur, Nawanshahr, Muktsar Sahib, Pathankot, and Tarn Taran.
Farmer Grievances
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that the agitation is in response to the severe shortage of urea. He accused dealers of black-marketing urea and selling it at inflated prices through private shops and cooperative societies. Furthermore, Pandher alleged that some dealers are coercing farmers to purchase nano urea as a prerequisite for obtaining regular urea.
Pandher called for government intervention to ensure a fair and affordable supply of urea. He also criticized the rising prices of diesel, petrol, and cooking gas, which are adding to the financial burden on farmers.
Additional Demands
The protests also oppose the forced acquisition of land in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana. Additionally, farmers are demanding the cancellation of the India–US trade deal, which is currently in its final stages of negotiation.
The All India Kisan Mazdoor Morcha has organized similar protests in five states, with Punjab being a focal point due to its agricultural significance. The farmers remain resolute in their demands, urging the authorities to address the crisis promptly.
