Listen To This Post
Chandigarh: As thousands of farmers from across Punjab prepare to converge in Chandigarh on Wednesday to mark the fifth anniversary of their historic anti-farm law agitation, the gathering is set to be more than a symbolic show of strength. It will serve as a sharp reminder to the Central Government of the key assurances given to farmers in December 2021 that remain unfulfilled to this day.
Five years after the mass movement that forced the repeal of the three contentious farm laws, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have maintained mainly their unity and resistance narrative, especially against what they describe as growing corporate control over agriculture and policymaking. The continued cooperation among farmer groups across states, including free seed distribution and support to flood-hit farmers in Punjab, is being cited as evidence that the grassroots bond forged during the 2020–21 agitation remains intact.
‘Corporate-Friendly Policies Continue’: Farm Leaders
Senior Samyukt Kisan Morcha leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said that little has changed for farmers since the repeal of the three laws. “Nothing has changed for the farmers… be it the land pooling policy, the Electricity Amendment Bill or the Seed Bill. The government’s intent is clear — it wants to favour corporations. Farmers have no option but to resist or face losing their land and livelihood,” he said.
While the movement suffered a setback after over 700 farmers lost their lives during the struggle, and farmer unions faced political misadventures and internal splits, their influence in the countryside has not diminished. Though both SKM and SKM (Non-Political) took a blow after top leaders were jailed, their relevance surged again when the Punjab government introduced and later withdrew its controversial land pooling policy.
At present, farmers are actively opposing the Electricity Amendment Bill, fearing it will sharply increase irrigation costs, and the newly introduced Seed Bill, which they believe could lead to predatory pricing by corporate seed companies and erosion of India’s seed sovereignty. Kirti Kisan Union general secretary Rajinder Singh Deepsignwala said these developments only reinforce fears that the Centre is steadily opening agriculture to corporate dominance.
Unfulfilled Promises and Heavy Security in Chandigarh
BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) vice-president Jhanda Singh Jethuke said farmers will once again press for justice for the Lakhimpur Kheri victims, a legal guarantee for MSP on all crops, and adequate compensation for flood-hit farmers. He also accused the Centre of attempting to assert control over Punjab’s universities, river waters and even its capital city, Chandigarh.
Initially planned for the Sector 34 grounds, the rally venue had to be shifted to the Sector 43 Dussehra grounds due to an event marking the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Anticipating a massive turnout, the administration has deployed over 3,000 police personnel to manage traffic and law and order.
Meanwhile, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha has sent a memorandum to the President of India, detailing the Centre’s failure to honour the written assurances issued on December 9, 2021, even as farmers prepare to once again raise their voice on the streets — five years after a movement that reshaped India’s farm politics.
