Farmers across various locations in Haryana staged protests on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) President Gurnam Singh Charuni and eight others. These leaders were arrested following a protest where farmers blocked National Highway-44 near Shahbad in the Kurukshetra district. The previous day, Haryana police resorted to baton charges and used water cannons to disperse the protesters, who were advocating for the government to procure sunflower seeds at the minimum support price (MSP). While several protesters were detained and later released, Charuni and eight other BKU (Charuni) leaders remained in police custody.
On Wednesday afternoon, the nine arrested farmer leaders were produced before a court, which subsequently remanded them to 14-day judicial custody, according to the police. Apart from charges related to rioting, unlawful assembly, and the use of criminal force to deter public servants from discharging their duties, the leaders have also been booked under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for attempted murder, as stated by Kurukshetra SP Surinder Singh Bhoria.
The SP further mentioned that the farmers had attempted to strike police personnel with a tractor, with video evidence supporting the claim. Charuni, however, accused the police of falsely registering cases against the farmers, asserting that their protest had been peaceful. He stated, “We don’t know on what grounds they imposed Section 307, but we will continue our fight for the guaranteed MSP. We will win this battle,” as he spoke to reporters while being escorted to the court.
In response to the police crackdown and the detention of the leaders, farmers launched protests and staged dharnas (sit-ins) on the Shahbad-Ladwa road, causing disruptions to traffic flow. They also blocked roads and highways in Ambala and Yamunanagar. Similar demonstrations took place in other districts, including at toll plazas in Rohtak, Hisar, Sirsa, and Karnal, where they demanded the release of those arrested in the Shahabad case.
Protests Erupt in Haryana as Farmers Demand Release of Detained Leaders and Guaranteed Minimum Support Price
Notably, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait arrived in Shahabad on Wednesday to show his support for the protesting farmers. In his address to the farmers, he declared, “This is the beginning of a new movement for guaranteed MSP in the country. The injuries suffered by the farmers in Haryana will resonate with every farmer across the nation.” Tikait emphasized the need for robust legislation to ensure the procurement of all crops at MSP, preventing private traders from purchasing produce below the set price. He added, “Now the country needs a movement for MSP.”
Praising Charuni as a resilient fighter, Tikait emphasized that he would not settle for anything less than MSP.
The farmers have consistently demanded the procurement of sunflower seeds at a fixed MSP of ₹6,400 per quintal. On May 30, the BJP-led Haryana government issued a notice stating that sunflower seeds had been included in the list of crops covered under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana (BBY). Under this scheme, farmers receive ₹1,000 per quintal for selling their produce to private buyers. However, crops covered by the BBY are not procured by government agencies at MSP.
Shahabad legislator Ram Karan Kala, who belongs to the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), an ally of the BJP, declared that he would resign from his position as the chairman of the Haryana Sugar Federation if the state government failed to meet the farmers’ demands regarding the procurement of sunflower seeds at MSP within 24 hours.
He informed reporters in Chandigarh, “I have raised this issue with Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, who has assured me of resolving the matter. If the detained farmers are not released, sunflower procurement at MSP is not initiated, and compensation for injured farmers is not provided, I have decided to resign from the post of Sugarfed chairman.” Kala also condemned the lathi-charge on the protesting farmers, expressing solidarity with them and acknowledging the painful nature of the incident.
Protests Erupt in Haryana as Farmers Demand Release of Leaders and Guaranteed Minimum Support Price
The arrest and subsequent judicial custody of the nine farmer leaders have further fueled the anger and determination of the protesting farmers. They view the charges, including the serious accusation of attempted murder, as an attempt to suppress their voices and intimidate them into silence. However, the farmers remain resolute in their fight for the guaranteed minimum support price, which they believe is essential for their livelihoods and the sustainability of agriculture in the country.
The presence of prominent leaders such as Rakesh Tikait, who has emerged as a prominent figure in the farmers’ movement, lends strength and unity to the protesters. Tikait’s support and his call for a nationwide movement to secure MSP for all crops resonates deeply with the farmers. They see this as an opportunity to bring their grievances to the forefront and demand concrete solutions from the government.
The issue of procuring sunflower seeds at MSP has become a key point of contention in Haryana. The farmers argue that including sunflower seeds in the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana without ensuring procurement at MSP undermines their efforts and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by private traders. They maintain that all crops, regardless of their inclusion in government schemes, should be subject to MSP to guarantee fair prices and protect their economic well-being.