On Wednesday, Punjab Police detained fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha chief Sarwan Singh Pandher, among other key protesters, in Mohali while they were returning from a meeting with the central government delegation in Chandigarh. Additionally, late at night, police took custody of hundreds of protesting farmers to clear the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, where farmers had erected permanent and temporary structures that police demolished with bulldozers.
This action was executed under the instructions of the Punjab government. However, opposition parties have criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal. BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X that, 'Arvind Kejriwal once provided water, electricity, and Wi-Fi to protesting farmers at Delhi's borders, but now Punjab's AAP government is using bulldozers to remove their tents and campsites.'
Read Also: Bulldozer Action at Shambhu-Khanauri Border: Tents Removed, Farmers Dispersed — An Unexpected Stand of Punjab Government After a Year
He further wrote, 'The earlier farmer protests' self-proclaimed protectors, foreign-funded NGOs (including those supported by George Soros), Canadian Punjabi pop singers, and international celebrity activists who jump from issue to issue, are now silent. It seems these protests were never truly about farmers' issues but rather targeted at the central government. Otherwise, when Punjab's protesting farmers' demands are legitimate, how else to interpret this silence, especially as AAP promised to fulfill these demands during elections?'
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala stated, 'First invited for peace talks, then subjected to deceitful arrests. The BJP central government and Punjab's AAP government united to trick farmers under the pretense of MSP guarantee discussions, only to arrest them deceitfully. India's 62 crore farmers will never forgive this conspiratorial betrayal. BJP and AAP deeds echo Duryodhana's actions against Lord Krishna when he proposed peace after the Pandavas' exile. The world witnessed Duryodhana's fate, and BJP-AAP's fate will unfold similarly.'
Read Also: Punjab Police Detains Nearly 700 Farmers at Khanauri Border, Tents Bulldozed
Following Punjab Police's detention of farmer leaders, former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi remarked, 'A deliberate conspiracy is being enacted against farmers. The entire farming community faces significant challenges today. Despite a (Chandigarh) meeting deciding next talks for May 4, farmers were attacked from behind and deceived. Roads have not been blocked by farmers but by the government. They (farmers) wish to reach Delhi.'
Punjab BJP leader Fatehjang Singh Bajwa commented on the farmers' detention, 'Central government has dispatched ministerial teams to negotiate with farmers, yet Ludhiana West merchants have pledged not to vote for AAP due to road closures. To ensure Arvind Kejriwal's Rajya Sabha seat and win the Ludhiana West by-election, they've detained Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher. BJP stands with Punjab's farmers, but CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal have wronged them.'
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal noted, 'Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has lost his mental balance. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, on a hunger strike, has also been detained. During elections, CM Bhagwant Mann promised to fulfill all farmers' demands, but post-government formation, only lies prevail. No one feels safe in Punjab.'
Punjab government minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the detentions: 'AAP government and Punjab people stood with farmers against three black laws. Over a year, Shambhu and Khanauri borders remain shut, unsettling traders and youth. Business growth leads to youth employment and away from drugs. Today's actions aim to enable Punjab youth employment. We want Shambhu and Khanauri borders open. Farmers' demands target central government; they should protest in Delhi, not block Punjab roads.'
Read Also: Jagjit Singh Dallewal Detained, Preparations to Remove Protesting Farmers at Shambhu and Khanauri Borders Intensify
Regarding farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher's arrest, Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring asserted, 'Farmers face ongoing deception. Told to end hunger strike for talks, yet constantly sidelined. The central government consistently isolates farmers, particularly those from Punjab. Post-farmers-central delegation meeting, Punjab Police arrested farmer leaders. Both central and AAP governments aim to isolate Punjab farmers. This is extremely wrong.'
Regarding police action at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, Patiala SSP Nanak Singh remarked, 'Farmers protested at Shambhu border for some time. In the presence of a duty magistrate, police cleared the area post warnings. Some wanted to return home, so transport was arranged. Structures and vehicles are being removed; roads are being cleared for traffic. Haryana police will act soon, reopening the highway. No force was required, as there was no resistance. Farmers cooperated well, voluntarily boarding buses.'
