Punjab farmers head to Chandigarh for protest amid heavy security
Chandigarh: Several farm unions under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) are marching towards Chandigarh today to press for their long-pending demands. In response, Chandigarh Police have sealed all entry points to the city, deploying heavy security and issuing an advisory urging commuters to avoid these routes.
Joginder Singh Ughrahan, president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), has urged farmers not to block roads, highways, or railway tracks to avoid public inconvenience. He advised them to stage sit-in protests at locations where security personnel stop their movement. He also called for a large-scale demonstration in Chandigarh, despite the administration not designating a protest site.
The SKM has accused the Punjab government of suppressing the right to protest. Their demands include the implementation of an agriculture policy, land distribution to landless labourers and farmers, and debt waivers for farmers and labourers.
The protest follows the breakdown of talks between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and SKM leaders on Monday. According to Ughrahan, discussions on eight or nine out of 18 demands were underway when the Chief Minister left, citing an eye infection. Ughrahan claimed Mann became upset when asked about the March 5 protest and walked out.
Chief Minister Mann later stated that his doors remained open for discussions but emphasised that public inconvenience should be avoided. He reiterated the government’s willingness to address concerns through dialogue rather than agitation.
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have criticised the government’s handling of the situation. PPCC President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused Mann of arrogance and dismissive behaviour, while SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia condemned raids on farmer leaders' residences. Majithia reminded the Chief Minister of promises made before the 2022 elections, including implementing the M.S. Swaminathan Report and ensuring procurement of all crops at minimum support price (MSP).
Farmers are expected to be stopped at Chandigarh’s entry points, setting the stage for an indefinite protest.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
