Farmers across Punjab launched widespread protests, voicing strong demands for fair compensation following the devastating floods that wreaked havoc across the state. The calamity impacted over three lakh people, destroying vast stretches of farmland and causing extensive property loss. Demonstrations erupted at 112 locations across 19 districts, as thousands of farmers, labourers, and women united under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (Bharat). The protest, led by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, witnessed slogans condemning both the state government and the Centre for their inadequate response and slow relief measures.
The farmers’ discontent stemmed from what they called an unfair and insufficient compensation policy. Addressing the crowd in Amritsar, Pandher emphasized that several critical demands had been left unresolved despite repeated appeals. Among the key requests were compensation of ₹70,000 per acre for damaged paddy crops and an additional 10% of that amount for farm labourers who suffered losses due to the floods. The farmers also sought full reimbursement for livestock and poultry deaths, financial support to rebuild damaged houses, and free provision of diesel, fertilisers, and seeds to facilitate the next wheat sowing season.
Another major grievance revolved around the government’s restriction on flood relief eligibility, which currently covers only up to five acres of land. Farmers insisted that this cap be removed, citing that small and large farmers alike had suffered immense losses. Pandher further demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged mismanagement of water release from Punjab’s dams, which many believe worsened the flooding situation. To prevent future disasters, he urged authorities to construct permanent embankments along vulnerable riverbanks and flood-prone areas.
A major point of contention was also the government’s strict approach to stubble burning. Pandher criticized the heavy fines imposed on farmers—amounting to as much as ₹30,000—calling them unreasonable, especially when the compensation for flood damage was only ₹20,000. He argued that the government should either facilitate stubble management directly or provide ₹200 per quintal or ₹6,000 per acre to enable farmers to manage the residue independently. The protesting groups demanded that the administration withdraw all FIRs, fines, and red entries filed against farmers for stubble burning, emphasizing that industrial and corporate pollution contributed far more significantly to environmental degradation than agricultural practices.
Beyond flood-related issues, the protesters also highlighted other long-standing concerns. These included clearing the pending dues of sugarcane farmers, ensuring fair and stable prices for cotton and basmati crops, and preventing arbitrary deductions during paddy procurement. The farmers accused both state and central authorities of neglecting agricultural distress and prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of rural communities.
The protests came against the backdrop of severe floods that left nearly 60 people dead and affected over three lakh residents across Punjab. The deluge damaged around four lakh acres of fertile cropland, disrupting livelihoods across multiple districts. In response, the Centre announced an interim relief package worth ₹1,600 crore, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the flood-affected areas to assess the situation and meet affected families. However, the farmers argued that the relief package was grossly inadequate, urging the government to act swiftly and comprehensively to restore their livelihoods and prevent future tragedies.
In essence, the protests symbolized not just anger over lost crops, but a broader frustration with systemic neglect. The farmers’ collective voice underscored the urgency for meaningful reforms in compensation policies, environmental regulation, and agricultural support mechanisms. Their demands reflected the need for a more empathetic and sustainable approach to governance—one that genuinely prioritizes those who feed the nation yet continue to bear the brunt of nature’s fury and administrative indifference.
