Khanauri: A fresh farmers protest is once again putting the Punjab Haryana border on alert. Farmers have started the Kisan Bachao Padyatra towards Delhi to oppose the proposed India US trade deal, while Haryana Police has stepped up security at Khanauri, raising concerns over another possible face off.
The march began from Datasinghwala village in Punjab on Sunday, with 51 farmers taking the first step of the planned journey. Led by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the padyatra will cover around 228 kilometres before reaching Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 29, according to the organisers.
Before starting the march, the farmers carried soil from the site where farmer Shubhkaran Singh died during the 2024 farmers agitation. His death remains a deeply emotional issue for many protesting farmers and has made Khanauri an important symbol of their movement.
Haryana authorities are taking no chances this time. Barricades have been put up at Khanauri, and traffic coming from Punjab towards Haryana through the border has been diverted. However, Jind police have clarified that there is no complete road shutdown in the district and that other major routes continue to operate.
The latest protest comes after farmers recently staged demonstrations in Ambala and Hansi, where police action was reported. The developments have added to concerns that tensions could rise if the marchers attempt to move into Haryana on their way to Delhi.
At the heart of the protest is the proposed India US trade agreement. Farmer organisations fear that cheaper agricultural imports could hurt Indian farmers and put additional pressure on domestic markets. They are demanding that the government protect farmers interests while negotiating any trade arrangement with the United States.
For many farmers taking part in the march, however, the protest is about more than one trade agreement. They say it is also about minimum support prices, agricultural policies and the long term future of farming.
Khanauri has witnessed tense scenes before. On February 21, 2024, 21 year old farmer Shubhkaran Singh died after suffering a head injury during clashes between protesting farmers and security forces. His death became one of the most significant moments of the 2024 agitation.
Now, with another march heading towards Delhi, attention is again turning to Khanauri. Authorities are preparing for the movement, while farmer groups say they intend to continue their protest.
Whether the latest padyatra remains peaceful or develops into another major confrontation will depend largely on what happens when the march reaches the Punjab Haryana border. For now, Khanauri is once again under the spotlight.
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