Farmers' movements: India
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Punjab: A brief history
1907-2025
Raakhi Jagga, March 9, 2025: The Indian Express
History of farmer movements in Punjab
The farmer movement in Punjab has been active since the early 20th century, opposing various repressive laws imposed by the British. One of the earliest and most significant such movements was started in 1907 by Ajit Singh, uncle of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. This movement opposed three laws passed by the British government that were detrimental to farmers. Known as the Pagri Sambhal Jatta Movement, it forced the British to amend these laws.
This was followed by the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) Muzara (tenant) movement, which took place from 1939 to 1942. Farmers in this movement fought for ownership rights to the land they had been tilling for generations. In 1943, the Punjab unit of the All India Kisan Sabha was established.
The Punjab unit of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) came into being in 1980, although its predecessor, the Punjab Khetibari Zamindara Union (PKZU), had been formed in 1972. The PKZU raised several farming-related issues until 1978.
Militancy, splits
During the 1980s, Punjab farmer unions faced significant challenges due to militancy in the state and the resultant strict regulations on public meetings and rallies. As a result, the BKU was unable to organise any major mobilisation. However, at the local level, the BKU remained active, addressing issues and amplifying the concerns of the farming community.
In April 1989, the Punjab unit of the BKU split into two factions over several differences. One faction was led by Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, while the other was led by Balbir Singh Rajewal and Bhupinder Singh Mann.
In 1990, Mann was appointed a member of the Rajya Sabha. Simultaneously, Lakhowal began to align himself with Akali politics, even serving as the chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board from 2007 to 2017 during the SAD-BJP tenure. Many activists within the BKU criticised Lakhowal’s political involvement, which further deepened the split.
In 1992, a faction that broke away from Lakhowal’s group named their union BKU Ekta. This was followed by further divisions within the BKU Ekta, with groups emerging under names of various leaders, such as BKU Ekta Ugrahan, BKU Ekta Dakaunda, BKU Ekta Sidhupur, and more.
By 2017, the state had nearly 35 farmer unions. In 2020, these unions came together to protest against the three now-repealed farm laws under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). The farm laws were repealed on November 19, 2021, after over a year of protests.
The current status of the unions
The SKM, a coalition of farmer unions from across the country, continues to exist. In Punjab, 37 farmer unions are part of SKM, while BKU Ugrahan is an associate member.
Additionally, several offshoots have emerged due to ideological differences within the unions, leading to the formation of SKM Non-Political and another forum, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). Both SKM Non-Political and KMM now represent over 100 unions each across the country, with a significant presence in Punjab.
The current protests in Punjab
Since February 13, 2024, SKM Non-Political and KMM have been organising protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana, blocking the NH-44 and NH-52 highways at both locations.
SKM Non-Political leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a hunger strike since November 26, demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. While SKM is not directly involved in this protest, it supports the demands of KMM and SKM Non-Political.
SKM’s primary demand is the withdrawal of the national policy framework on agricultural marketing proposed by the central government. Additionally, the SKM has put forward 18 other demands.
The week-long dharna in Chandigarh had been planned by the SKM from March 5, for which the police denied them permission.
What happened on March 4 and March 5?
The Punjab police detained several farmer union leaders on both March 4 and March 5. Among these were senior SKM leaders, including Balbir Singh Rajewal, Ruldu Singh Mansa, and Joginder Singh Ugrahan—all in their eighties—along with hundreds of other protesters.
This large-scale police action against farmers is unusual. “Earlier, each union organised its own programmes, so arrests and detentions were less frequent. However, since 2020, the unions have been fighting under the SKM banner. This is one of the most significant police actions against farmers in over a decade,” said Raminder Singh Patiala, a national coordination committee member of SKM. He added, “Leaders like Rajewal, Ugrahan, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Buta Singh Shadipur, and many others have never been detained together at one time.”
See also
Agriculture: Indian government data
Farmers' agitation, 2020-21: India
Farmers, cultivators and their issues: India including Farm loans
Farmers' movements: India
