The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Haryana, Punjab): The BJP is facing intense opposition from farmers in Haryana and Punjab, significantly affecting their campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Posters have emerged in both states warning BJP candidates and campaigners against entering villages, reflecting the farmers’ heightened anger.
In Haryana, the BJP has been caught off guard by the ferocity and timing of the protests. Farmers, frustrated by the government’s handling of their grievances over the past two years, are now actively preventing BJP and JJP candidates from campaigning in various districts, including Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Jind, Sonipat, and Rohtak.
One notable incident involved farmers blocking the entourage of Naina Chautala, mother of former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, from entering Roj Khera in the Hisar constituency. The clash resulted in injuries to some of her supporters. Due to such incidents, most BJP and JJP candidates now have security escorts to campaign.
The protests extend to Punjab, where farmers are equally hostile towards BJP candidates. They have not forgotten the sacrifices made during the 2020–21 protests against the farm laws. Villagers have revived the “Dilli Chalo” spirit, displaying black flags and blocking campaigners. The slogan “Kisana da Delhi jana bandh hai, BJP da pinda vich auna bandh hai” (Farmers are banned from entering Delhi, BJP is banned from entering villages) has gained traction, and related videos are going viral on social media.
Baldev Singh Zira, general secretary of the BKU (Bharatiya Kisan Union) Krantikari group, condemned the government for the use of tear gas and pellets against protesting farmers, which blinded many. The death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh and the harsh methods used to suppress protests are fresh in the minds of the farming community.
Even high-profile figures like Hans Raj Hans, a former MP now contesting from Faridkot, are struggling. Though he attempts to beg forgiveness from farmers, their anger remains palpable. His efforts, however, have been met with some degree of temperance compared to others.
Former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s tactless comments about the protests have further fueled the farmers’ anger. On April 21, a day after Khattar’s controversial remarks, farmers protested against BJP’s Sirsa candidate Ashok Tanwar during a public meeting in Dabwali, leading to heightened tensions and police intervention.
The Pagri Sambhal Jatta Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, part of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, has declared these protests as part of their “Jawab do, hisab lo” (answer and be accountable) campaign, demanding accountability from the BJP.
The BJP’s strategy to counter this anger by bringing in former Congress members has not quelled the unrest. The party’s candidates are frequently met with protests and black flags, particularly in the Malwa and Majha regions of Punjab. State BJP chief Sunil Jakhar lodged a complaint with the chief electoral officer, accusing the AAP government of failing to protect their right to campaign.
The BJP believes the protests are driven by the Jat population, which constitutes 23% of Haryana’s populace. In an attempt to circumvent this, the BJP has focused on the OBC section, which makes up 40% of the population. This explains why Khattar, a non-Jat, was made chief minister and Nayab Singh Saini, another non-Jat, was recently appointed as chief minister.
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda justified the farmers’ protests, citing Haryana’s high unemployment rate and the negative impact of the Agniveer scheme on the state’s youth. Despite Khattar’s belief that these protests might ultimately benefit the BJP, on the ground, candidates are feeling the pressure and blaming Congress for fueling the agitation.
Haryana will vote on May 25, while Punjab will vote on June 1. While the Congress is expected to perform well in rural areas, the BJP is banking on urban constituencies like Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Gurdaspur. The outcome will reveal whether the BJP can overcome the tide of farmer protests and Hindu consolidation in these states.