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Farmers Mark Five Years of Protest: ‘Chandigarh Chalo’ This Time
Chandigarh: November 26 is shaping up to be one of the most turbulent days for Punjab, Chandigarh and even parts of Delhi, with multiple organisations announcing protests, shutdowns and state-level mobilisations. The biggest demonstrations are expected from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which will observe the day as the fifth anniversary of the farm agitation that started on November 26, 2020.
In a significant shift from the earlier “Delhi Chalo” calls, farmers this time have announced “Chandigarh Chalo”, urging thousands to converge on the Union Territory. SKM units across Punjab have already begun circulating pamphlets. The SKM’s national coordination committee, which met in New Delhi earlier this week, reiterated that 736 farmers lost their lives during the historic 380-day protest at the Delhi borders.
The SKM accused the Centre of failing to honour its written assurances issued on December 9, 2021—especially the promise of a legal guarantee for MSP at C2+50%, as recommended under the Swaminathan formula. “Farmers are being forced into distress sales below MSP,” the statement said.
In the run-up to the anniversary protest, the SKM is holding padyatras, cycle rallies, village meetings, leaflet drives and door-to-door outreach. Protests will take place across India on November 26, but in Punjab, the primary mobilisation is towards Chandigarh.
“We have sought permission from the UT Administration to allow us to assemble at Sector 34,” said Avtar Singh Mehma of the Krantikari Kisan Union. “But there is no response yet.”
Power Engineers Announce Statewide Stir Against ‘Political Interference’
Adding to the unrest, the Punjab State Electricity Board Engineers Association (PSEBEA) has declared a statewide protest beginning November 26, alleging heavy-handed political interference in the operations of PSPCL and PSTCL.
The association claims attempts are underway to sell critical power assets, while key infrastructure projects—such as the 2×800 MW supercritical units at Ropar—have inexplicably been delayed. Engineers are also protesting what they call “illegal and arbitrary” disciplinary action, including the suspension of Harish Sharma, Chief Engineer at GGSSTPP Ropar, and the termination of Harjeet Singh, Director (Generation) at PSPCL.
“Multiple meetings with Power Minister Sanjeev Arora and the Power Secretary have yielded no action. Upright officers are being targeted,” said Jasvir Dhiman, PSEBEA president.
Engineers will exit all official WhatsApp groups on November 26 as a symbolic protest. A major statewide meeting is scheduled for December 2 in Patiala, with the Association warning of further escalation.
Panjab University Shutdown Looms Over Senate Election Delay
At Panjab University (PU), tensions are rising as the PU Bachao Morcha has threatened a complete shutdown of the university on November 26 if the administration fails to release the long-pending Senate election schedule by November 25.
Over 50 organisations—from student groups and employee unions to farmer outfits and civil society bodies—have pledged support. Protesters say all PU gates will be locked and that academic and administrative functions will be paralysed.
“If the authorities continue delaying elections, the next phase will target protest sites outside the campus, including demonstrations outside BJP offices,” a Morcha member said.
This confrontation has been escalating since November 10, when the Morcha called for a bandh, forcing PU to postpone semester exams across more than 200 affiliated colleges. The agitation began after structural changes in PU governance were announced on October 28, which protestors fear are part of a broader push towards centralisation under NEP-2020.
Old Pension Scheme Employees Call November 25 Protest ‘Betrayal Rally’
Ahead of the November 26 mobilisations, Old Pension Scheme (OPS) supporters—under the Purani Pension Bahali Sangarsh Committee (PPBSC) and CPF Employees Union—will stage a major protest in Delhi on November 25.
On November 18, employees burnt copies of what they termed an “incomplete notification”, accusing the Punjab government of failing to implement OPS despite issuing a notification in November 2022.
“Even after three years, there is no SOP. This is a clear betrayal,” said Jasvir Talwara, state convenor, PPBSC.
He recalled that on November 26, 2018, Arvind Kejriwal had addressed government employees at Ram Lila Maidan in favour of OPS. “Today, his own government in Punjab has not implemented it,” Talwara said. The unions have called the rally a nationwide campaign against both the Union government and states that “backtracked on their commitments”.
