Farmers block railway tracks in Punjab and Haryana demanding legal MSP guarantee, several trains disrupted

Farmers across Punjab and Haryana held protests today by sitting on railway tracks, demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and justice in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. The demonstrations caused disruptions to train services at several locations in both states.

The agitation, part of an ongoing nationwide campaign by farmer organizations, saw hundreds of farmers gather at major railway junctions, raising slogans against the central government’s alleged indifference to their long-pending demands.

Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu had earlier warned that those responsible for disrupting rail traffic could be held liable for financial losses resulting from the blockade. His remarks drew sharp criticism from farm unions.

Addressing protesters in Amritsar, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher accused Bittu and actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut of acting under the direction of BJP leadership and attempting to “defame the farmers’ movement.”

Farm leaders say the protest will continue until the Centre takes concrete steps to provide a legal framework for MSP and ensures accountability in the Lakhimpur Kheri case, in which several farmers were killed during protests in 2021.