Day after CJP protest, farmers from Punjab and Haryana march towards Delhi. What are their demands?

A day after the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP)-led 'Chalo Sansad' protest dominated the national capital, farmers from Punjab and Haryana launched another march towards Delhi, intensifying pressure on the Centre over unresolved agricultural issues.

Large groups of farmers began moving towards the national capital under the banners of various farmer unions, prompting authorities to strengthen security at Delhi's border points. Additional police personnel, barricades and traffic diversions were put in place to prevent any disruption to public order.

What are the farmers demanding?

Farmer organisations have reiterated several long-standing demands, including:

• A legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, ensuring farmers receive assured prices for their produce.

• Implementation of previous assurances made by the Centre during earlier rounds of negotiations with farmer unions.

• Complete loan waiver for farmers facing financial distress.

• Withdrawal of cases registered against farmers during previous protest movements.

• Compensation for families of farmers who lost their lives during earlier agitations.

• Improved crop procurement policies and better support for agricultural inputs.

• Higher pensions and welfare measures for farmers and agricultural labourers.

Farmer leaders have said the march aims to remind the government that these issues remain unresolved despite multiple rounds of discussions.

Tight security on Delhi borders

With memories of previous large-scale farmer protests still fresh, Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in significant numbers at key entry points into the capital.

Authorities have installed barricades and stepped up surveillance to manage the movement of protesters while ensuring traffic and public services remain unaffected.

Officials have appealed to protesters to maintain peace and cooperate with security arrangements.

Political significance

The farmers' mobilisation comes at a politically sensitive time, with Parliament in session and the Centre already facing Opposition criticism over the handling of the recent CJP-led protests.

Opposition parties have expressed support for the farmers' demands, urging the government to resume dialogue and address their concerns through negotiations rather than confrontation.

The government, meanwhile, has maintained that it remains open to discussions with farmer representatives while emphasising the need to maintain law and order.

Another test for the Centre

The latest march signals that agrarian issues continue to occupy centre stage in national politics.

As farmers converge towards Delhi, attention will now shift to whether fresh talks can break the deadlock or whether the protests evolve into another prolonged agitation similar to previous farmer movements.