THE Samyukt Kisan Morcha Punjab had planned to hold a protest in Chandigarh on     March 5 to address the pending demands of the farmers. However, the AAP led Punjab government, which claims to be the protector of democracy, launched a brutal attack on the democratic rights of farmers by starting to arrest leaders of various constituent organisations of SKM from their homes. Prior to this, on March 2, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had a meeting with representatives of farmer organisations, which ended fruitlessly. Following this, attempts to suppress the voice of farmers began.

Bhagwant Mann and the Modi governments should remember that Punjab is a state with a long history of struggle for the protection of independence and democracy, and thousands of people have sacrificed their lives for it. For the defence of the country's honour, hundreds of people gave their lives in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Punjab is also the state where the 23-year-old Bhagat Singh, born here, showed the world a new path to greatness. Even during the colonial period, the farmers of this land raised large movements against the British government's injustice like 'Pagri Sambhal struggle' and ‘Mujara struggle’. The Kisan Sabha advises the Bhagwant Mann government to respect the heritage of Punjab.

After the historic farmers' movement at the Delhi borders, the promises made by the central government on December 9, 2021, which led to the suspension of the farmers' protest, have still not been fulfilled by the Modi government. No steps have been taken regarding the guaranteed purchase of all crops at MSP or the loan waiver for farmers and agricultural workers. Additionally, the privatisation of electricity is being further promoted. SKM Punjab was preparing to resume its movement with a focus on these national demands and other state-specific issues. However, the Bhagwant Mann government, by following the authoritarian Modi government's path, has adopted an anti-democratic, anti-farmer, and anti-people stance.

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) strongly condemns the attack on democracy and the torture of farmer leaders. AIKS demands an immediate halt to the repression of farmers and their movements. The Kisan Sabha, along with other constituent organisations of the SKM, will resist the oppressive actions. AIKS also appeals to all farmers of Punjab to participate in the protest on March 5 in the largest possible numbers.