31 May
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
The tension at the Shambhu border is expected to rise as Sarwan Singh Pandher, leading the Shambhu Morcha, called for farmers from across the state to join the protest site on June 2 with their tractors and trollies. In a video message on Friday, Pandher urged Punjab residents to close down the “Nafrat Ki Dukan” (shops of hatred) in the upcoming elections, accusing the BJP and RSS of creating divisions between Hindus and Sikhs, as well as among Dalits and upper castes, to win the general election.
Pandher also alleged that BJP leaders had threatened to implicate farmer leaders and send them to Dibrugarh jail post-election. The protest, which began on February 13, has witnessed significant violence. Twenty-two farmers have died, including 22-year-old Shubhkaran Singh, who was shot at the Khanauri border on February 21. Additionally, 35 farmers have suffered injuries, including 17-year-old Jaskaran, who lost his right arm to a gunshot wound.
As the farmers prepare for a renewed demonstration at the Shambhu Morcha, the situation remains tense, drawing attention to their ongoing struggle and the issues at the heart of their protest.