In a massive show of dissent, farmers across Punjab are set to stage protests against the Bhagwant Mann-led government, condemning what they call “human rights violations” against protesting farmers. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that effigy-burning demonstrations will take place at hundreds of locations across the state, including 21 sites in Amritsar alone.
“We will have programs in around 18 districts. At 21 locations in Amritsar alone, we will burn effigies of the Bhagwant Mann government. Today’s program will be done at hundreds of locations across Punjab,” said Pandher.
The protest comes after leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) Punjab Union and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha were detained by authorities, sparking outrage among the farming community.
“SKM’s Punjab Union leader was detained along with the leadership of Kisan Majdoor Morcha… So, today’s program is against the human rights violations of farmers. It will be done peacefully. We demand that all arrested farmers should be released,” Pandher stated.
The farmers’ agitation has been gaining momentum in recent weeks, with growing resentment against the Punjab government over issues related to their demands. The protest is expected to escalate further if their detained leaders are not released, with farmer unions warning of intensified demonstrations in the coming days.