Punjab farmers have launched a seven-day protest in Mohali, setting up camp on the road connecting the city with Chandigarh. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced the pakka morcha running from September 1 to 7, pressing a mix of agricultural, economic and Punjab-specific demands.
The protest brings together 32 farmer organisations under the SKM banner, including BKU Rajewal, BKU Dakaunda, Kirti Kisan Union, BKU Shadipur and Punjab Kisan Union. BKU Ekta Ugrahan, though an associate member, is holding separate protests.
Farmers Oppose US Free Trade Agreement
At the heart of the protest is the proposed free trade agreement with the US, which farmers are vehemently opposing. The SKM has made clear that this trade deal threatens Indian agriculture and farmer livelihoods.
The protest is significant because several demands are directed at the Centre, while others concern the Punjab government and the state's long-standing dispute over water and its rights within the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
MSP and Water Rights at the Core of Demands
Farmers are pressing for guaranteed minimum support prices (MSP) alongside their opposition to the trade agreement. The water rights issue adds another layer to the protest, with Punjab farmers demanding their fair share within the BBMB framework.
Traffic curbs are in place as the protest occupies the key road connecting Mohali with Chandigarh. Commuters in the region should expect disruptions during the seven-day period.
Our Take: A Multi-Layered Protest With Clear Targets
To put it plainly, this is not a simple farmers' rally. The SKM has strategically bundled national issues like the US trade deal with state-specific concerns over water and MSP. That makes the protest harder to ignore for both the Centre and the Punjab government.
The timing matters too. With a free trade agreement on the table, farmers see a direct threat to their income and market access. Their demand for MSP guarantees is not new, but the addition of the trade agreement opposition gives this morcha a sharper edge.
What stands out is the unity — 32 organisations under one banner. Even with BKU Ekta Ugrahan holding separate protests, the SKM's collective strength signals that Punjab's farmers are not backing down. The traffic curbs are a reminder that this protest will be felt beyond the farm gates, right in the daily lives of people in Mohali and Chandigarh.
For readers, the key takeaway is this: the next seven days will show whether these demands move from the road to the negotiation table. The farmers have made their position clear — now the response from the governments will decide how this morcha unfolds.