Punjab witnessed a complete shutdown on December 30, 2024, as farmers organized a state-wide bandh to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. The protest caused severe disruptions in transportation and commercial activities across the state, impacting the daily lives of residents.
Farmers staged sit-ins at critical locations, including major highways and railway tracks, leading to a halt in public transport services. Several trains were canceled, and private bus operators suspended operations. Businesses remained closed in solidarity with the protesting farmers.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a farmer leader, emphasized that essential and emergency services were exempted from the bandh, ensuring minimal inconvenience for individuals facing urgent situations. Despite the disruptions, the protest garnered widespread support from various organizations, including transport unions and traders.
The bandh coincides with the 35th day of a hunger strike by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, adding urgency to the farmers' demands. The Supreme Court has directed the Punjab government to address Dallewal's health concerns while resolving the farmers' grievances.
Farmers are not only demanding a legal guarantee for MSP but are also seeking debt waivers, pensions, and justice for victims of past violence. As the protest continues, the state remains in a tense standoff, awaiting government action.
