Farmers' group writes to Shivraj Chouhan: "Keep Punjab Govt out of May 4 talks"
Ravi Jakhu
Chandigarh, April 27, 2025 — Farmers' unions have declared that they will not attend the proposed meeting scheduled for May 4 in Chandigarh if the Punjab government is involved in the talks.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha made this announcement today, emphasizing their stand through a letter addressed to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The farmers’ groups stressed that the upcoming meeting is meant to be between the Central Government and the farmers' organizations only. Any participation by the Punjab government, they stated, would lead them to boycott the discussions altogether.
The letter, a copy of which has been sent to the Ministry, reiterates their commitment to engaging directly with the Central leadership on farmers' issues without political interference.The meeting on May 4 was proposed to address long-standing demands and concerns raised by the farmers' movements.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha expressed their gratitude to the Agriculture Ministry for facilitating the dialogue but maintained their firm position regarding the participation criteria.