The Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s sudden and forceful crackdown on protesting farm bill agitators has not only sent shockwaves through the state’s agrarian community but has also cast a dark shadow over their long-standing demand for a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP).
The unexpected move, ahead of the Ludhiana West bypoll amid ongoing talks between farmer leaders and the union government, has raised serious questions about the future of the farmers’ agitation and the ongoing negotiations.
Notably, the crackdown has completely shifted the farmers’ anger from the BJP-led Union Government to the AAP-led Punjab Government. Farmer leaders are now targeting the Bhagwant Mann-led government, accusing it of betrayal. Farm bill agitators claim that AAP’s actions have not only undermined their struggle but also risk undoing years of efforts to secure a legal guarantee for MSP.
After the March 19 meeting, both sides expressed optimism over the discussions moving in the right direction. However, the police crackdown swiftly turned optimism into despair as the police detained key farmer leaders along with hundreds of farm bill agitators, stalling the agitation.
Union ministers
Following the crackdown, farmer leaders are struggling to revive their agitation and build pressure on the union ministers. They allege that the police action was a deliberate attempt to weaken their bargaining power with the Union Government at a critical juncture.
The police crackdown began in the absence of the key farmer leaders, who had gone to Chandigarh to attend the meeting with union ministers. The action has also ignited a firestorm of criticism, adding to the woes of the ruling AAP, which was already facing criticism for its failure to deliver on election promises.
Extending support to the protesting farm bill agitators, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a key player in the 2020-21 farm law protests, condemned the AAP government’s actions as “cowardly” and called for nationwide protests. The SKM and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) even boycotted a state government meeting on March 21.
Facing intense criticism over the crackdown, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is working on damage control and has deputed all its leaders, ministers, and MLAs to defend the police action against protesting farm bill agitators. The focus of the AAP leaders is on the Congress party.
Accusing the Congress of provoking farm bill agitators to protest, AAP leaders cited economic losses due to the prolonged agitation but claimed that the AAP was their only true well-wisher. Days before the crackdown, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had already made his intentions clear, stating that he would not allow anyone to declare Punjab as a “protest state,” as he is the chief minister of all three crore Punjabis.