The Supreme Court’s recent directive to partially reopen the Shambhu Border, where farmers have been protesting since February 13, has put the BJP-led Haryana government into a difficult position as the directive, aimed at alleviating local hardships, could potentially reignite farmer protests in a state bracing for upcoming elections.
Since February 13, the Shambhu Border has been the focal point of farmer protests organized by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). These protests, initially aimed at addressing demands for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and farm loan waivers, have seen limited government engagement despite Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda’s offer for further discussions on February 21.
The Haryana government’s primary concern is that reopening NH 44 could lead to increased farmer movement towards Delhi, potentially reviving the large-scale protests that forced the Central government to retract three controversial farm laws during the 2020-21 agitation. In an affidavit submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Haryana government had justified the blockade as a necessary security measure, indicating that barricades would only be removed if the farmers shifted their protest away from the highway.
In response to the Supreme Court’s order, SKM (NP) leader Abhimanyu Kohar stated, “We want to make it very clear that our intention to march to Delhi was thwarted by the Haryana government. Our demands for guaranteed MSP and loan waivers remain unchanged. We are currently reviewing the Supreme Court’s orders and will determine our next steps after a meeting.”
The partial reopening of NH 44, a crucial highway with nearly 60,000 vehicles traversing daily, is poised to impact both local residents and ongoing farmer protests, making it a critical issue for the Haryana government as it navigates these complex political waters.