Centre cancels May 4 talks with farmer unions

The letter, sent by Joint Secretary Puran Chandra Kishan, states: “We had written to you on April 25 about our proposed meeting on May 4, to which you replied on April 27, asking us to keep the Punjab government out of the talks or you would not participate in the meeting.” It adds, “However, in a federal structure, the presence of the state government plays a significant role. Hence, the participation of state government representatives is appropriate.”

Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of KMM, said, “We had categorically told the Union government about our stand, and their reply indicates that the communication regarding our demands is at a standstill now.” He added that KMM and SKM (Non-Political) will hold a meeting on May 3 to decide the future course of action.

In their April 27 letter, the farmer leaders had stated that after the March 19 talks, the Punjab government betrayed their trust by arresting several leaders while they were returning from the meeting. The letter also alleged the use of force against peaceful protesters at Shambhu and Khanauri borders.

The letter was signed by Abhimanyu Kohar, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sukhjit Singh Hardojhande, Sarwan Singh Pandher, and Sukhwinder Kaur, among others.

SKM (Non-Political) and KMM had been staging sit-ins at Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, 2024. The protests were cleared on March 19, following the seventh round of talks. Hundreds of farmers were arrested on March 19 and released on March 28. The Punjab Police used force to clear NH-44 and NH-52, with farmer leaders alleging that many trolleys and belongings were lost during the action.

The earlier rounds of talks between farmer unions and the Centre were held on February 8, 12, 15, and 18 in 2024, and on February 14, 22, and March 19 in 2025.

The farmers’ key demands include a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, complete loan waivers to address rising debt, and concerns over international trade agreements and their possible adverse effects on Indian agriculture.