On Tuesday, a surge of unrest unfolded at the Punjab-Haryana (Shambhu) border as protesting farmers commenced the dismantling of barricades. This act of defiance led the Haryana police to respond with tear gas in an effort to disperse the gathering. The tension arose shortly after the initiation of the 'Dilli Chalo' march by farmers' unions, which saw heightened security measures including the detention of several farmers and the seizure of their vehicles by Haryana police. Despite a lack of progress in discussions between farmer leaders and Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Arjun Munda, with no resolution in sight, the determination to march towards Delhi remains unshaken.

Farmers have equipped their tractors with specialized modifications to overcome barricades and obstacles, signaling a resolute march to Delhi planned for February 13.

Intelligence agencies have issued warnings to police forces in Punjab, UP, Haryana, and Delhi, anticipating a large mobilization of farmers. It is estimated that over 25,000 farmers, with the support of approximately 5,000 tractors, will begin their journey from various districts across Punjab and Haryana, aiming to converge on Delhi by Tuesday.

"Tractors have been fitted with hydraulic tools to remove barricades, fire-resistant hard-shell trailers being readied to fight tear gas shells. They have also performed drills with these modified vehicles," an official reported.

Additionally, the tractors are undergoing modifications to double their horsepower, maximizing their capacity to transport protesters to their intended destination.

In anticipation of the farmers' march to Delhi, authorities had previously positioned sand-filled trucks, large concrete barriers, and containers along the route to prevent the protesters from advancing towards the capital. Despite these obstacles, the farmers managed to reach the outskirts of Delhi.

Security forces, including the police and paramilitary units, have been briefed to ready themselves for potential confrontations involving swords and sticks. This caution stems from an incident in 2021 during a farmers' protest, where a clash resulted in several police officers being wounded by sword attacks.

In response to the escalating situation, the Haryana government, led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, declared a temporary halt on mobile internet, bulk SMS, and dongle services across several districts. This suspension is set to last until February 13, coinciding with the farmers' planned march to Delhi to advocate for their demands.

A formal notification from the Haryana administration detailed the suspension of bulk SMS and dongle services over mobile networks, excluding voice calls, during this period.

Furthermore, an official directive specified that mobile internet services would be suspended in seven districts—Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa—from the morning of February 11 until the night of February 13.

Flag Featuring Bhindranwale Seen on Tractor in Farmers' Delhi March

On February 13th, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and other states proceeded towards Delhi for the “Chalo Delhi” farmer protests. A report by ANI highlighted a tractor flying a flag with an image of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who is recognized as a Khalistani figure.

During a segment of the footage, specifically from 15 to 17 seconds, a tractor adorned with a yellow triangular flag showcasing Bhindranwale was captured moving along the procession.

This sighting of a flag bearing Bhindranwale's portrait on a tractor involved in the farmer protests was documented in a snapshot from the ANI video. Prior to this incident, discussions were held in Chandigarh between the central government and the farmer unions regarding their demands. Notable participants in these discussions included Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, and Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.

Despite over five hours of negotiations, the talks did not result in any consensus. Following this, the farmer leaders declared their intention to advance towards Delhi via the Shambhu, Khanauri, and Dabwali borders. Sarwan Singh Pandher of the Kisan Majdoor Sangharsh Morcha announced that the march would commence at 10 am on Tuesday, February 13, from these specified borders.

Farmers across various states are currently demonstrating to press for their key demands, which notably include the enactment of a law to guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce and the forgiveness of their debts.

In a pattern reminiscent of past demonstrations against the agricultural laws that have since been withdrawn, the current protests have seen the presence of Khalistani sympathizers. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the banned Khalistani group Sikhs For Justice, has actively sought to mobilize Punjab farmers against the central government. In a provocative statement, Pannun conveyed, "You will not get anything from the central government by asking them. You have to win Delhi."

Additionally, a notable aspect of Pannun's message included an image featuring a building labeled "Modi House" alongside a call to action for pro-Khalistan supporters to "Raise Khalistan Flag" at the residence of Prime Minister Modi in Delhi, clearly aiming to incite actions supportive of the Khalistan movement.

Koo App The Truth Revealed | Azad Punjab- Khalistan is the demand of these so called #Farmers Farmer "Protest" is Just a MASK. Real Target is to remove Modi Govt. Jitna Dum lagana hai lagaa lo... Sab mile hue hai ji. Punjab police totally ‘welcoming’ and ‘allowing’ the so called ‘farmers’ to cross the borders of Punjab. #FarmersProtest2024 is a toolkit. There are no farmers in this #FarmersProtest Join | t.me/SatyaagrahIndia View attached media content - Satyaagrah (@SatyaagrahIndia) 13 Feb 2024

The Evolution of Farmers' Protest: Comparing 'Delhi Chalo' Marches

As the 'Delhi Chalo' protest gains momentum with the participation of over 200 farmer unions, significant steps have been undertaken to prevent the protesters from reaching Delhi, marking a distinct approach from the 2020 protests.

In a notable shift from the past, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, represented by more than 200 unions, are mobilizing towards Delhi in 2024. Their movement comes after unsuccessful negotiations with Union ministers on Monday night. Union Minister Arjun Munda acknowledged that while there was agreement on many issues, the government suggested forming a committee to explore unresolved matters. However, farmer leaders have expressed dissatisfaction, citing a lack of definitive legal assurance on the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The current 'Delhi Chalo' march is scheduled to commence at 10 am, but in a preemptive move, the Haryana government has erected substantial barriers at its borders to block entry from Punjab. Similarly, the defenses of Delhi's borders have been strengthened to avoid a repeat of the events witnessed during the 2020-21 farmers' protest.

How the Current Farmers' Protest Differs from the 2020 Movement | 5 Key Aspects

1. The Reason Behind the Current Protests: The farmers' protests in 2020 were a response to three specific laws, which were eventually repealed in 2021 after a year-long stand-off at Delhi's borders. The call for 'Delhi Chalo' in 2023 is driven by demands for a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, adherence to the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, complete debt forgiveness for farmers, a pension scheme for farmers and laborers, and the retraction of legal actions taken against participants of the 2020-21 protests.

2. Leadership of the Ongoing Protests: The current wave of farmer protests, dubbed 'Protest 2.0', is led by a diverse array of unions, reflecting the evolving dynamics within farmers' unions over recent years. The announcement of 'Delhi Chalo 2.0' has been made by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, distinct from the Bhartiya Kisan Union and Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which were pivotal in the 2020 demonstrations but have since experienced internal divisions.

3. Changes in Protest Leadership: Notably absent from 'Delhi Chalo 2.0' are Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni, who were key figures in the 2020 farmers' protest. Four years on, the leadership baton has been passed to Jagjit Singh Dallewal of the SKM (non-political) and Sarwan Singh Pandher, the general secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), who are now leading the charge.

4. Enhanced Security Measures to Block Farmers: Unlike in 2020 when farmers managed to reach Delhi, this time, authorities have implemented stringent measures to prevent their entry. The city has been encircled with barbed wire, cement barriers, and nails strewn across roads leading to Delhi, effectively sealing all access routes. Additionally, Section 144 has been enacted across the capital, and the Haryana government has closed its borders with Punjab to further restrict movement towards Delhi.

5. Government Initiatives for Dialogue: In a proactive move, the government commenced discussions with the farmers ahead of the 'Delhi Chalo' march planned for this year. The initial dialogue between farmer representatives and Union ministers was held on February 8, followed by a second meeting on February 12. Reports indicate that the government has agreed to retract all legal cases filed against farmers during the 2020-21 protests against the farm laws that were later revoked. However, the farmers' request for a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) remains unaddressed.