Farmers start dharna outside Punjab minister's office in Hoshiarpur
· India · Hindustan Times, The Hindu
Farmers under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have begun a five-day sit-in outside the residence of Punjab Cabinet Minister Ravjot Singh in Hoshiarpur, demanding talks on their 12-point charter, including loan waivers, withdrawal of cases against agitators, and MSP procurement for key crops. The protest, organised by multiple farmer unions like BKU Doaba and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, follows memorandum submissions to deputy commissioners across Punjab. BKU Doaba state president Manjit Singh Rai warned of escalating agitation, including railway and highway blockades, if the government refuses dialogue. Protesters also highlighted power cuts disrupting tube-well irrigation and criticised the state government over alleged coal shortages and environmental neglect, including groundwater depletion and pollution.
Why it matters
The escalating agitation directly impacts Punjab’s farming community and industrial sectors, with potential disruptions to transportation and electricity supply. The government’s response will determine whether farmer demands—ranging from economic relief to environmental policy—are addressed, affecting rural livelihoods and state stability.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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