Farmers hold protest over escalation of charges during PM Modi's Ferozepur visit
Ferozepur, January 21, 2025: Farmers staged a robust protest outside the Kulgari police station, led by Krantikari Kisan Union Punjab, against the addition of severe charges, including Section 307, in the FIRs related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ferozepur on January 5, 2022. Leaders from Kirti Kisan Union, BKU Dakaunda, Qaumi Kisan Union, and the Punjab Jal Supply and Sanitation Contract Workers Union joined the protest, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the "false" cases.
During the protest, the farmers chanted slogans against the central and Punjab governments, expressing outrage over the court summons served to them for January 22. Krantikari Kisan Union leader Avtar Singh Mehma explained that on January 5, 2022, PM Modi's motorcade was unexpectedly diverted via road due to weather conditions, encountering a farmer-led protest near Ferozepur. Farmers had assembled at the call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha to protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office, unaware of the PM's road travel.
While the PM's convoy returned without reaching the rally venue due to the roadblock, Mehma emphasized that the farmers neither intended nor caused harm to the convoy. Initially, the police registered an FIR under Section 283 (obstruction in a public way). However, political pressure led to the addition of Section 307 (attempt to murder) and other stringent charges, sparking farmer outrage.
The Punjab government’s decision to summon the farmers to court has fuelled the current protest. Addressing reporters, Mehima warned that if the cases are not withdrawn, the farmers would intensify their agitation and launch an indefinite sit-in.
Other leaders, including Kirti Kisan Union’s state president Nirbhai Singh Dhudike, general secretary Rajinder Singh Deepsinghwala, BKU Dakaunda district leader Gulzar Singh Kabbrawachha, and Qaumi Kisan Union district president Sukhminder Singh Buiyanwala, also addressed the gathering. They called for solidarity among farmers, workers, and employees to resist these "unjust" charges.
The protest reflects growing discontent among farmers, who see the charges as a political vendetta rather than a lawful action. The situation remains tense, with calls for larger mobilizations if the government fails to act.