The Punjab bandh announced for Monday, December 30, 2024, is expected to bring significant disruptions to transportation across the state. From 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, both road and rail traffic will be affected as farmers intensify their protest demanding urgent reforms from the central government. The bandh is spearheaded by two major groups—the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, which have been leading protests since February 13, 2024. The farmers have been camping at strategic border points such as Shambhu and Khanauri, pressing the government to meet their long-standing demands.

The protest stems from various grievances, primarily the need for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural crops. For years, farmers have been advocating for a fixed price to ensure they are not exploited by market fluctuations. Alongside the MSP guarantee, key demands include debt waiver, pension schemes for farmers and farm laborers, the withdrawal of police cases against farmers, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. These demands have not been met, despite continuous negotiations and protests.

The prominent leader, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since November 26, 2024, to highlight the urgency of these issues. His health continues to deteriorate, but he remains steadfast in his resolve. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have consistently organized such protests in an attempt to get the government to act. The Kisan Mazdoor Sanghrash Committee, led by Sarvan Singh Pandher, confirmed that this bandh is a further attempt to apply pressure on the Union government to act on farmers' demands.

What to Expect During the Punjab Bandh
On the day of the bandh, public transport services will be severely affected. The Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) has announced that its bus services will remain suspended from 10 am to 2 pm. Private bus operators have decided to stop their services entirely from 7 am to 4 pm, ensuring that public transportation remains largely inactive for a significant part of the day. This will undoubtedly cause inconvenience to commuters across the state, but the protest leaders have emphasized that the objective is to make the central government take notice of their issues.

The bandh will also disrupt rail services during these hours. With both government and private institutions shut down for the day, including shops, markets, and schools, the whole state is expected to feel the impact. However, essential services, including emergency services, will remain unaffected. This ensures that critical healthcare and law enforcement functions continue without interruption.

Various groups have expressed their support for the bandh, including traders, transporters, employees’ unions, toll plaza workers, and ex-servicemen. Even teachers' unions and social organizations have voiced their solidarity with the farmers’ cause, making it a wide-reaching, state-wide protest. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are calling on the public to join the protest in order to make their voices heard by the government.

Why the Bandh Was Called
The central issue at the heart of this bandh is the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Despite repeated demands, the government has not yet agreed to legally guarantee MSP for crops. The lack of this guarantee means that farmers often receive prices below the cost of production, leading to severe financial strain. Furthermore, the farmers’ debt burden remains a critical issue, with many struggling to repay loans that continue to accumulate.

In addition to MSP and debt relief, farmers have been advocating for pension schemes to provide them with some form of financial security in their old age. The increase in electricity tariffs has also been a contentious issue, with farmers expressing concern over rising energy costs for irrigation and other farming needs. The withdrawal of police cases against farmers and seeking justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence have also been major points of contention. In this context, the bandh is seen as an urgent effort to draw attention to these critical issues.

Conclusion
The Punjab bandh is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by farmers across the country. It is not just about farmers' demands for better prices and rights, but also about the need for systemic changes in agricultural policies. Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast-unto-death is a poignant demonstration of the extreme measures farmers are taking to get the government to address their concerns. As the bandh unfolds, it remains to be seen whether it will lead to any significant changes or if the government will finally take decisive action to resolve the crisis.

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