In a bold move, a group of 101 farmers commenced their “Delhi Chalo” march from the Shambhu border on December 6, despite heightened security and prohibitory orders in Haryana’s Ambala district. Farmers, primarily seeking a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP), are also pressing for other demands like debt waivers and pensions for farm laborers. In response, Haryana authorities imposed a suspension of mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages, citing concerns over public order and potential unrest. Seven-layer barricading, including iron nails and barbed wires, was set up to prevent movement, while Punjab police strengthened their presence on their side of the border.

The protest has a symbolic resonance as it coincides with the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, with the farmers naming their group “Marjeevda Jatha” or “martyrs’ brigade.” Leaders assured that the march would remain peaceful, with rescue teams on standby for emergencies. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) coordinator, emphasized the farmers’ commitment to their cause, stating, “We will see how far the government goes to stop even 101 peaceful marchers.” Previous clashes earlier this year, which led to a farmer’s death, have heightened tensions, though farmer unions in Haryana have distanced themselves from the protest while warning against excessive use of force.

The ongoing protests represent the broader frustration of India’s agricultural community with unmet promises and mounting economic pressures. With Delhi’s traffic expected to bear the brunt of the movement, citizens brace for disruptions as political conversations reignite over the contentious MSP issue.