SKM to stage dharna in Chandigarh from March 5, Punjab CM calls meeting on March 4

Chandigarh: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced a week-long dharna in Chandigarh starting March 5. Farmer leaders said that on March 4, farmers from Punjab will march toward Chandigarh, and the protest will begin the following day. After a week, SKM will decide on the next course of action.

Two key issues were highlighted in their meeting. The first was the Punjab government’s Water Research Act, which the Morcha claimed was an attempt to transfer control of the state’s Pollution Control Board to the Centre, undermining Punjab’s rights. Farmers termed the Act an attack on Punjab’s sovereignty and demanded its repeal.

The second issue was the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which SKM called an infringement on state autonomy. They argued that the policy centralizes power, including university appointments and syllabus decisions, and weakens linguistic diversity. SKM urged the Punjab government not to implement NEP and instead formulate its own education policy.

Meanwhile, BKU Totewal president Sukhwinder Singh Sukh Gill has been suspended following an FIR lodged against him based on a complaint by a US-deported victim. A three-member committee has been set up to investigate the matter.

The Punjab government has taken note of the planned protest, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann calling a meeting in Chandigarh on March 4 at 3:30 pm to discuss the issues raised by SKM. Farmers have warned that if their demands are not addressed, the agitation will be intensified.