Chandigarh: Punjab witnessed a near-total shutdown on Monday, December 30, as farmers observed a statewide bandh to demand a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The strike, called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, paralyzed rail and road traffic, with commercial establishments and grain markets remaining closed across the state. Farmers staged dharnas at multiple locations, including Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza, the Golden Gate in Amritsar, and Rampura Phul in Bathinda, disrupting commuter movement. Despite the inconvenience, emergency services were allowed, and exemptions were granted to those traveling for critical purposes like weddings or job interviews.

The bandh, which ran from 7 AM to 4 PM, saw extensive participation from transporters, employee unions, and religious bodies. Public transport and private bus operators halted services, while railways canceled multiple trains passing through Punjab. Neighboring regions, including Ambala, also felt the bandh’s impact, with daily commuters struggling to reach their destinations due to roadblocks and crowded buses. Protesters reiterated their demands, which extend beyond MSP guarantees to include debt waivers, pensions, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher described the bandh as a “strong show of unity” among Punjabis.

Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike entered its 35th day, drawing significant attention. Dallewal, who has refused medical intervention, remains steadfast in his resolve to continue fasting until the government fulfills their demands. The Supreme Court has granted the Punjab government until December 31 to persuade him to accept treatment, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Farmers have been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border since February, demanding government action on their long-pending issues. As tensions escalate, the bandh marks another critical moment in the farmers’ ongoing struggle for their rights.