Two Massive Mahapanchayats, Signs of Solidarity Between Farmers’ Unions

On 4 Jan, two massive Kisan Mahapanchayats (farmers’ big gatherings) were held 27 km from each other at Khanauri in Panjab and Tohana in Haryana. The Khanauri Mahapanchayat was called by Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) Non-Political (NP) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on hunger strike and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). The Tohana Mahapanchayat was called by Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ekta Ugrahan participated in it. At Khanauri, Dallewal gave an 11-minute speech from a stretcher, protected by a glass box. He said, 'The agitation is not of Panjab alone but of the entire nation. Farmers of all states need Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.’ In an interview he said, 'I will end my fast only when a Minimum Support Price Guarantee Act is enacted. If not, I am prepared to sacrifice my life at the protest site.' After his speech, Dallewal reportedly felt dizzy and his condition worsened. At Tohana, Joginder Singh Ugrahan from BKU Ekta Ugrahan opposed the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing saying it was even more dangerous than the three Farm Laws, which the govt. revoked in December 2021 (WD Vol 2, Issue 52, Story 5). Ugrahan said he has ‘no objection’ to the KMM and SKM NP demand for MSP, they are together in their opposition to the union govt. Earlier in the day, three women BKU Ekta Ugrahan union members from Bathinda’s Kothaguru village died when the bus they were travelling in overturned in dense foggy conditions. On 7 Jan, on his 43^rd day of hunger strike, hours after meeting the Supreme Court committee, Dallewal’s blood pressure fell to dangerous levels but he revived. SKM has called for anotherMahapanchayat at Moga on 9 Jan.

On 1 Jan, when asked about farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, 'The Supreme Court is looking into the matter. We will accept whatever decision the apex court takes.' On 2 Jan, the Supreme Court of India (SCI) said Panjab govt. officials and farmer leaders are creating a false impression that efforts are being made to break Dallewal’s hunger strike. SCI clarified, 'Shifting to hospital does not mean the fast is broken. Our concern is no harm to his life. His life is precious as a farm leader. He is not aligned to any political ideologies; he is only taking the farmers’ cause.' The clarification is important because Indian corporate media is repeatedly alleging that the farmers are solely out to harm the country. Since the Mahapanchayats (big gatherings) at Khanauri and Tohana on 4 Jan attracted huge crowds indicating popular support, political parties in Panjab have become more involved. Panjab INC has asked CM Bhagwant Singh Mann to lead an all-party delegation to PM Narendra Modi to find an amicable solution to the farmers' issue. Senior INC leader Brahm Mohindra said, 'Panjab is crucial for the country as it has always been in the forefront of guarding and feeding the nation.' Former state INC CM, now in BJP, Captain Amarinder Singh also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and posted on X that he discussed 'various current issues of Panjab.' Panjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian has sought Chouhan's personal intervention and asked him for a dialogue with farmers protesting at Shambhu and Khanauri, situated on the Panjab-Haryana border. Earlier Khuddian had written to Chauhan on 20 Dec highlighting Dallewal’s critical condition. He asked if the union govt could meet farmers in Feb 2023, why not now?

While the former Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh was alive, many Sikh had reservations about him for not having done enough for the community. However, after his death, the tide seems to be turning. It started with a petty move by the BJP, which denied the INC’s request for Singh’s cremation at Raj Ghat–the place designated for cremation for prime ministers and presidents of India. Singh was cremated at Nigambodh Ghat, which is a public cremation ground. Though during 2014 general elections, SAD had called Singh a ‘weak prime minister’ and advocated for Narendra Modi, after Singh’s death SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder went to INC headquarters to pay tributes. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal has called for the installation of Singh’s portrait at the Central Sikh Museum. Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Panjab will establish a chair in development economy in Singh’s name. Akal Takht (Eternal Throne) Jathedar (leader) Giani Raghbir Singh gave Singh a glowing tribute and mentioned his contribution towards increasing the recognition and respect of the Sikh turban in the world. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) held a special condolence meeting and kept its offices closed for a day as a mark of respect. During Singh's antim ardas (final prayers) at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, Delhi, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami bestowed a siropa (honour) on his wife, Gursharan Kaur. In Pakistan, villagers of Gah—Singh's birthplace—gathered to say a last dua (prayer) for their ‘Dr Saab.’ Panjab INC is demanding a Panth Ratan (Sikh Collective’s jewel) for Singh, however it is an emotional and a misplaced wish. Singh brought dignity and decorum to India’s highest public office, which seems an exception under the present dispensation, but the award is for those who specifically serve the Sikh community (WD Vol 3, Issue 1, Story1).

The SAD looks set to accept the resignation of its president Sukhbir Singh Badal in the coming days in line with the 2 Dec 2024 directive from the Akal Takht (Eternal Throne; AT). Badal, who had stepped down on 16 Nov 2024 amid allegations of Panthic (Sikh collective) political misconduct, subsequently underwent religious punishment and performed Ardas (prayers) at the AT. However SAD remains reluctant to implement the second directive requiring the party’s membership drive to be conducted through a seven-member committee. At the same time, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has reversed its 9 Dec resolution demanding excommunication of former militant Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to assassinate Badal at Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) on 4 Dec 2024 (WD Vol 2, Issue 49, Story 3). Meanwhile, the SGPC commenced a Paath (prayer) in memory of former AT Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke, a figure remembered for his pivotal role in rebuilding the AT after the 1984 Operation Bluestar. However, there is no progress on the findings of the December 2023 report detailing Jathedar Kaunke’s extrajudicial killing in 1991 (WD Vol 1, Issue 5, Story 4). Amid these developments, Tarsem Singh, father of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, announced plans to launch a new political party in Panjab on 14 Jan at Maghi Mela (in memory of the forty Sikh martyrs) at Muktsar, Panjab. An Indian Express article detailing the new political party was reportedly censored in India and Australia, and later deleted and reuploaded. In other news, in Jaipur, a Thar driven by a police officer's minor son rammed into a Sikh procession during an evening kirtan (devotional singing), injuring four people. The vehicle, registered to a company, has six prior traffic violations.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made a surprise announcement on 6 Jan that he will resign as PM and Liberal Party leader once a successor is chosen. Citing internal battles within his own party and sagging popularity in public opinion polls, PM Trudeau said ‘it has become obvious to me with the internal battles that I cannot be the one to carry the Liberal standard into the next election,’ prompting him to ask Governor General Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until 24 Mar to allow time for a leadership contest. His decision followed the abrupt resignation of former finance minister Chrystia Freeland in December 2024. Freeland accused PM Trudeau of using ‘costly political gimmicks’ instead of sound economic policy, which contributed to the rapid increase of the cost of living in Canada. PM Trudeau and the Liberal Party have been at the center of various political scandals, which range from accepting inappropriate gifts, and attempts to outflank the New Democratic Party (NDP) on issues that impacted Canada’s middle and lower class. This caused a rift between the two parties, where NDP leader Jagmeet Singh broke away from the Liberal-NDP coalition. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pounced on PM Trudeau’s resignation as proof of Liberal turmoil, vowing to force an election at the earliest opportunity, although that plan will be delayed by Parliament’s suspension. Previously in 2023, PM Trudeau stated in Parliament that he and Canadian authorities had hard evidence which implicated the Indian govt. in playing a direct role in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia (WD Vol 1, Issue 1, Story 1). As PM Trudeau prepares to exit office after nearly a decade, Canadians face an unprecedented domestic political upheaval, and regional challenges with the US on tariffs along with uncertainties on Sikh and Panjab matters with India.

The Indian Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has extended a special subsidy package for Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) beyond the standard Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) at an additional USD 448.8M from 1 Jan until further notice. This ensures farmers continue to obtain DAP at an unchanged retail price of INR 1,350 per 45 kg bag. With this, total additional subsidies since April 2024 surpass USD 754.8M. It must be noted that both wheat and potato sowing periods are over and farmers will need DAP only in the next sowing season. Govt. officials say this measure will help buffer domestic farmers from global market volatility and geopolitical constraints that have driven up import costs, especially given India’s high reliance on overseas supplies for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. The announcement follows an earlier one-time special package of USD 306M from April through December 2024, and the Cabinet’s latest move is aimed at ‘sustainable availability’ of DAP at affordable prices. The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) criticized the extension, alleging it benefits corporate profits more than farmers’ interests. AIKS highlighted how fertilizers such as Muriate of Potash have seen steep price hikes over the years, while total fertilizer subsidies have decreased in consecutive budgets. They also point to India’s dependence on a handful of global suppliers who control major mineral resources, pushing profit margins up to 36% for some fertilizer companies. AIKS warns that these dynamics—combined with rupee depreciation, black market scarcity, and incomplete domestic production—pose heightened risks to Indian farmers, potentially undermining the govt.’s stated aim of securing the nation’s food supply. Meanwhile, Panjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann warned the Union govt. against reviving three repealed farm laws ‘through backdoor,’ calling the draft New Agriculture Export policy an attempt at reintroducing them (WD Vol 2, Issue 48, Story 3).

Industrialists in Malwa, Panjab have warned that if the Panjab and Union govts. fail to address their urgent concerns, they will move planned expansion projects to more supportive states. They cite repeated road blockades by agitators, including Kisan Morchas (farmers fronts), high electricity tariffs, unpredictable Goods and Services Tax-related taxation, and a cumbersome process for obtaining Change of Land Use (CLU) permits and other licenses. Local industrialists say these ongoing hurdles have crippled business operations, causing transport costs to rise due to frequent route diversions, making it harder to compete in an already challenging market. The industrialists are pushing for an industrial focal point, a gas pipeline linking the city, liberalized CLU rules, streamlined approval procedures for expansion, consumer-friendly power policies, concessions for critical industrial sectors, and clarity in the state’s shifting taxation framework. They also regret the lack of positive reforms under both PM Narendra Modi’s Union govt. and the AAP govt., claiming that the situation has only worsened. Meanwhile, the Water Warrior Team Punjab (WD Vol 2, Issue 48, Story 8) staged a protest outside the Punjab Pollution Control Board office in Ludhiana, demanding swift action against the ongoing pollution in the Buddha Nullah—one of the most contaminated tributaries of the river Satluj. At the same time, environmentalist-turned Rajya Sabha (State Assembly) MP from AAP, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, has reached Ludhiana, aiming to mobilize residents in and around Ludhiana to restore the Buddha Nullah of its toxic waste. A statement by Kale Paani Da Morcha (Black Waters Front) activists clarified that they do not have any relation with Seechewal, accusing him of attaching himself to the movement because the issue would come up in the forthcoming Delhi elections. They revealed the dyeing industries never had the permission to discharge water into the Buddha Nullah in the first place.

Panjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced that the state’s total revenue collection from Value-Added Tax, Central Sales Tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Punjab State Development Tax, and excise surpassed USD 3.5B in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. In 2023-24, the revenue for the entire fiscal year was USD 3.2B. According to Cheema, net GST revenue for December 2024 increased by 28.36% year-on-year, rising to roughly USD 2.3B from USD 182M in December 2023, while excise revenue rose by 21.31%, reaching nearly USD 102M versus about USD 84.6 in December 2023. Meanwhile, Panjab police on 31 Dec announced that they busted 12 terror modules and arrested 66 terrorists in 2024. According to Inspector General of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill, they also apprehended 559 gangsters in 2024. A total of 185 kg of heroin, 24 pistols, one AK-47 rifle, and one IED were seized, along with USD 4.8K in drug money dropped via drones, and at least 513 drone sightings were recorded. Police also confiscated drug money worth approximately USD 1.7M, forfeited 531 properties valued at around USD 39M, and dismantled 198 gangster modules, arresting 559 suspects while recovering 482 weapons, 102 vehicles, and USD 249K in illicit funds. The data is from govt. figures, not corroborated from any other source. When seen in the context of data on the website South Asian Terrorism Portal which claims 92 terrorists were arrested in 2024, the number of terrorists arrested is 30 times those in 2015, double those in 2022. This indicates a spike in alleged terrorism in Panjab which is not the case.

Canada’s department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has reported an 84% drop in illegal crossings into the US by Indian nationals who hold Canadian visas or permits since June 2024. Until recently, Indians were the largest group of individuals apprehended while attempting to enter the US from Canada, although US Customs and Border Patrol data still showed a significant presence of Indian nationals—over 7K—among the total 27,610 such encounters in October and November 2024. The issue attracted renewed attention when India’s Enforcement Directorate alleged a conspiracy involving certain Canadian institutions to facilitate human smuggling across the northern US border (WD Vol 3, Issue 1, Story 9). Amid this, President-elect Donald Trump’s supporters are challenging the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, vital for international students pursuing H-1B visas, especially Indians. OPT allows F-1 visa holders to work in the US for up to 12 months, plus an additional 24 months for STEM fields. Indian enrollment jumped to 97,556 in 2023–24, prompting debate over foreign workers vs. American jobs. Critics claim OPT denies Americans opportunities, but courts have upheld it, placing nearly 97K Indian careers, including many Panjabis, hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, a recent report by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries advised India to reduce its heavy reliance on H-1B visas and emphasized professional services and maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities in anticipation of Trump’s second term. Even though the US economy continued to grow at a rate of 2.7-2.8% in 2024, the incoming administration is likely to prioritize reducing the trade deficit. Critics aligned with Trump’s earlier stance continue to push for stricter immigration controls, raising questions about how India will safeguard its talent pipeline and service-sector exports moving forward.

Pakistan’s Panjab govt. has opened a Bhagat Singh Gallery at the historical Poonch House in Lahore. 93 years ago, Bhagat Singh was tried at Poonch House which now showcases memorabilia documenting his life and struggle for India’s independence. The exhibit includes rare letters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and case records highlighting key moments such as his trial with Sukhdev Thapar and Shivram Rajguru for killing British police officer John P. Saunders, as well as details of his execution on 23 Mar 1931. Bhagat Singh was an influential Panjabi revolutionary of the early 20th century who continues to inspire youth with his radical ideology and activism. His martyrdom at the age of 23 cemented his status as a revolutionary hero for many in both Pakistani (West) and Indian (East) Panjab. West Panjab’s Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman inaugurated the gallery, stressing that tourists can now visit under an arrangement by the state govt. departments of industry, commerce, and tourism. Historical papers on display include Bhagat Singh’s appeals for newspapers, court orders dating from August 1927 to mid-1929, a petition from his father Sardar Kishan Singh challenging the death sentence, and official confirmation of his hanging at Lahore Jail. Notably, some documents show the British police tracking Bhagat Singh’s associates in the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army and the Naujawan Bharat Sabha (Indian Youth Assembly). The gallery’s opening follows earlier efforts by the Punjab Archives Department, which in 2018 displayed key materials related to Bhagat Singh’s prosecution and execution. Advocates for recognizing his legacy, such as Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation chairman Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi, say the govt. should also rename Shadman Chowk—where Bhagat Singh was hanged—in his honor. The new gallery’s creation is seen as a step toward preserving a pivotal chapter of the subcontinent’s shared history.