Debate Challenge Turns Up Heat on Punjab’s Farm Crisis
Peppering his words with pointed accusations in Bathinda, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann didn’t just call for reforms—he called out the very leaders steering Punjab’s farm unions. He challenged them to meet him face-to-face in a live debate to hash out the state’s mounting agrarian issues. Mann upped the ante further with harsh allegations, saying some top farm unionists have turned movements for farmer welfare into personal cash cows, snapping up land, shares in medical ventures, and buying into hotels, all funded by the very farmers they claim to represent.
Mann’s claims weren’t just about financial misdeeds. He spoke of a growing divide between rural and urban Punjab, blaming these supposed power-brokers for leaving ordinary farmers behind. His remarks hit especially hard in a state where farmers’ protests have shaped politics for years, setting off sparks among union leaders and supporters.
Farm Unions Fire Back and Protests Grow
Well-known union leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal and Joginder Singh Ugrahan didn’t duck for cover. They came out swinging, openly accepting the Chief Minister’s debate dare. Their only ask? That Mann actually show up, setting the date, time, and place for what’s likely to be a heated exchange. For these leaders, the discussion isn’t only about defending their reputation—it’s a chance to demand action on persistent, unresolved issues: legalizing minimum support prices (MSP), clearing crushing farm debts, and giving compensation for crop disasters.
BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), another heavy-hitter in Punjab’s farm politics, accused Mann of cozying up to central government interests and corporate lobbies. Their secretary, Shingara Singh Mann, called the Chief Minister arrogant and demanded evidence for his serious accusations. He wants facts on the table, not public smears.
The controversy doesn’t end there. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) have joined the protests, taking their frustration to the streets. Sarwan Singh Pandher from the KMSC expanded the criticism, accusing Mann’s administration of dragging its feet on drug abuse—a crisis that’s gripped Punjab for years. He recounted recent attacks by drug dealers in Bathinda villages, insisting the government’s promise to wipe out drugs by March 31 was pure talk with little result.
Farmers from all walks are stepping up their demonstrations. SKM is planning more protests against what they see as empty policies, while villagers and activists demand real change. Concrete steps like waiving off electricity dues and adequate compensation for failed crops are top on their list. The bigger fight, many say, is for dignity and survival in the face of political blame games and broken promises. The spotlight is now firmly on Mann to deliver—not just on debate, but on meaningful answers to Punjab's tangled farm crisis.
