New Delhi: Farmers in Punjab and Haryana escalated their protests against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by burning effigies at various locations, including the Shambhu border, Amritsar, Moga, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Sonipat, and Panchkula, expressing their discontent with recent government actions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the demonstrations on Thursday were marked by the burning of effigies and the chanting of slogans against BJP leaders, spotlighting the farmers’ ongoing grievances with the policies of the BJP-led governments in both Haryana and the central Indian government. The protests were particularly incited by a controversial decision by the Haryana government to nominate six police officers for gallantry medals, an act perceived by the farming community as recognition of undue force used against them.
Farmers have voiced their determination to continue their protests until their demands, which include more supportive agricultural policies and the reversal of the medal recommendations, are addressed. The tension highlights the strained relationship between the farmers and the state over agricultural reforms and police actions during protests. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher criticized the Haryana government’s action as a celebration of aggression, noting the harsh measures like tear gas and rubber bullets used by police against farmers during their February march towards Delhi.