The deadlock at Shambhu Border shows no sign of resolution as farmers refuse to relent for the partial reopening of National Highway 44. The apex court on Thursday reiterated its call for continued dialogue between the Punjab and Haryana governments and the protesting farmers, aiming to clear the vital highway.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court ordered establishing a committee within a week to mediate negotiations with the farmers. The court had previously directed a partial reopening of the Shambhu Border, emphasizing the need to allow passage for ambulances, senior citizens, women, students, essential services, and daily commuters. However, the stalemate persists as the farmers maintain their stance and made it clear that they will resume their Dilli-Chalo march soon after the blockade is lifted.
The court also advised the states of Punjab and Haryana to submit within three days a list of issues that the proposed committee should address. Additionally, the Punjab government has been permitted to nominate two or three “apolitical” and “neutral” individuals for inclusion in the expert committee. The court underscored that the committee’s mandate would extend beyond the current impasse, aiming to address broader issues that frequently disrupt law and order in the region. The justices instructed state representatives to continue their dialogues with the farmers and report on the progress in the next hearing. In a previous order, the court had directed the Director Generals of Police of Punjab and Haryana, along with senior officials from Patiala and Ambala, to devise a plan for the partial reopening of the highway.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh informed the Supreme Court that officials from Punjab and Haryana had engaged in talks with the farmers as per the court’s August 12 directive. While the farmers agreed to partially reopen the highway, they insisted on marching towards Delhi with their tractors and trolleys—a proposal the administrations of both states found unacceptable.
On Wednesday, representatives from Haryana and Punjab held an over-an-hour-long meeting with farmer leaders, but the discussions failed to yield a consensus. The farmers rejected Haryana’s proposal to refrain from moving towards Delhi in tractor-trailers if the highway is partially reopened, citing the Motor Vehicle Act as the basis for their refusal.
The farmers argued that tractors are essential for their protest, serving as protection against the elements and as carriers for ration supplies. Leaders of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) reiterated that it was the Haryana government, not the farmers, that initially blocked the highway in anticipation of their “Delhi Chalo 2.0” call on February 13.
Since then, the Shambhu Border has remained the epicenter of the farmers’ protest, which originally focused on demands for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and farm loan waivers. Despite Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda’s offer for further talks on February 21, the government has shown limited engagement, exacerbating the standoff.
The Haryana government’s primary concern is that reopening NH 44 could enable a renewed farmer movement towards Delhi, potentially reigniting the large-scale protests in poll bound state again.