Hoshiarpur/Moga, Jan 26: Agricultural unions across Punjab marked Republic Day by holding coordinated tractor rallies to protest against proposed central legislation. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) organized the event to seek the removal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill and the Seeds Bill of 2025.
The marches serve as a reminder of the 2021 farmers’ movement, with protesters today focusing on securing a legal framework for MSP. Beyond agricultural pricing, the groups mentioned the need to protect the MGNREGA scheme and scrap new labor codes that they believe will negatively affect the working class.
In Tanda, the protest saw a large turnout under the leadership of Jangveer Singh Chauhan. Addressing the farmers, Chauhan said that the current direction of policy is “anti-farmer” and aimed at shifting cooperative structures into private hands.
“We are here to ensure our voices are heard regarding the privatization of institutions that belong to the people,” Chauhan said.
The march in Mukerian, starting from the Grain Market at Bhangala, was led by Avtar Singh Bobby and passed through several administrative hubs to signal the urgency of the farmers’ requirements. Participants in Dasuya and Garhdiwala also took to the streets, passing through Verka Chowk and the local bus stands to gather public support.
Union leaders in Moga, including Sukh Gill and Surat Singh, joined the march in the Dharamkot area. They noted that the struggle for farmers’ rights remains a priority until the government addresses the concerns regarding the Electricity Bill and fertilizer pricing.
Local authorities monitored the situation as the tractors passed through various grain markets and chungs. All marches throughout the state were reported to have ended peacefully with no disruptions to law and order.
