A deepening crisis is unfolding in Punjab, where the state government is being accused of forcefully acquiring farmers’ land for various development projects. What began as scattered opposition has now snowballed into a mass movement, with thousands of farmers staging protests against what they describe as a gross injustice. The government’s aggressive push and the police’s heavy-handed tactics have only added fuel to the fire, making this an issue of both land rights and human dignity.
The background of this agitation lies in the state’s increasing attempts to acquire fertile agricultural land for highways, industrial parks, airports, and other so-called development projects. Many of these lands are the sole source of livelihood for small and marginal farmers. In areas like Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda, and Mohali, farmers have reported receiving land acquisition notices without proper consultation. In many cases, the compensation being offered is far below the market value, and there is no clear rehabilitation plan in place for the affected families.
What has shocked people across Punjab and beyond is the use of police force against peaceful protestors. Farmers have been lathi-charged, arrested, and detained under preventive laws. In several cases, the police have been accused of destroying standing crops, manhandling elderly protestors, and threatening families. Such scenes have triggered widespread anger and reminded many of the tactics used during earlier oppressive regimes. The use of state machinery to silence dissent is being seen as a betrayal of democratic principles.
The state government, meanwhile, justifies its actions in the name of progress. Officials claim that the development of infrastructure, such as expressways, logistics hubs, and industrial zones, is necessary to attract investment, create employment opportunities, and promote modernisation in Punjab. However, farmers and critics argue that this model of development disproportionately benefits corporate entities and real estate tycoons, while dispossessing the rural poor of their only asset—their land. The lack of transparency and absence of meaningful dialogue have further eroded public trust in the government’s intentions.
The most critical and heart-wrenching question remains—where will the farmers go if their land is taken away? In Punjab, land is not just property—it is livelihood, heritage, and identity. Once displaced, these farmers have no other means of survival. They are not trained for urban jobs, and compensation money rarely lasts beyond a few years. Past experiences show that most displaced families end up impoverished, forced to take up daily wage labor or even migrate in search of survival. The government is asking them to give up everything without offering any real future in return.
This ongoing movement is more than just a protest. It is a cry for justice, dignity, and the right to live with self-respect. The farmers are not against development, but they demand a model that includes them, respects their land, and secures their future. If the government continues to ignore their voices and push through land grabs using police force, it risks destabilizing the very foundation of Punjab’s rural economy.
What Punjab needs right now is a course correction. The government must immediately stop forceful acquisitions, suspend all ongoing land grabs, and open transparent and honest dialogue with farmer representatives. Only by involving affected communities in the decision-making process can a just and sustainable path forward be found.
This issue goes beyond politics—it strikes at the heart of Punjab’s identity. The fields of Punjab have fed the nation for decades, and the hands that till them deserve respect, not repression. Real progress must be inclusive, rooted in justice, and guided by compassion. Anything less is not development—it is destruction.