Punjab is on tenterhooks after the eviction of protesting farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri. This new flashpoint has hardened the battle lines and widened the trust deficit between the state government and the farming community. The former has justified its crackdown on the grounds that industries and businesses were hit hard by the prolonged closure of two key highways, while farmer leaders have termed it a repressive move to deprive them of their democratic right to protest. In any case, the confrontation has taken a worrying turn for the worse.

It is unfortunate that the two sides have failed to find common ground. In the best interests of Punjab, they should have joined hands to intensify pressure on the Central Government over the farmers’ demands, particularly a legal guarantee of MSP for all crops. Instead, they are fiercely at loggerheads. Waning public support for farm unions has also emboldened the state government to go for the jugular, with the Centre watching it all from the sidelines.

The key stakeholders can no longer afford to go round in circles. It’s a no-brainer that they must hold talks with the firm commitment of resolving the crisis in a time-bound manner. For that, a flexible approach can be mutually beneficial. The Centre needs to learn lessons from its poor handling of the kisan agitation at Delhi’s borders in 2020-21. The three contentious farm laws were eventually repealed — after over 700 protesting farmers lost their lives — but the MSP imbroglio was allowed to fester. And the state government owes an explanation for the way it has changed tack after having consistently projected itself as a mediator and a custodian of farmers’ interests. There is no doubt that Punjab badly needs a trade booster, but it also can’t do without agriculture, which remains the backbone of its economy. Earnest efforts should be made to take everyone along and bring about reconciliation, failing which the perpetual state of unrest will only push Punjab deeper into the mire.
(Tribune, India Opinion)