Agriculturists in Punjab have intensified their attempts to wilt away the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) hopes of thriving in the State during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls by posing 11 questions to the saffron party on its alleged anti-farmers’ policies. So the next time, the saffron party's candidates, leaders, or any worker are out in the village to seek votes, they are set to face 11 pointed queries, devised by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s (SKM) Punjab unit, to scrutinize the BJP’s stance on agrarian issues.

And to streamline their protest against the BJP, the farmers have meticulously crafted a questionnaire, having 11 key inquiries including blocking of roads towards Delhi by putting up barricades and iron nails; death of a young farmer Shubhkaran in police firing besides injuries to nearly 400 farmers, justice in Lakhimpur Kheri; implementation of Swaminathan report; waiving farmers’ debt, among several others.

These questions, in the form of flex boards, banners, or posters, will be prominently displayed in all villages, strategically positioned at entrances or along the roads — not only in Punjab but also in Haryana.

Already, the BJP candidates are facing the farmers’ wrath during their campaign trial. The farmers are organizing protests, showing black flags, raising anti-BJP slogans, wherever BJP candidates go for campaigning. Compounding their challenges, numerous villages have also taken a decisive stance by erecting posters and banners prohibiting the entry of BJP leaders and even workers.

Among those facing farmers’ ire were former Union Minister Preneet Kaur — BJP candidate from Patiala and the wife of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh; former bureaucrat Taranjit Singh Sandhu Kaur — BJP candidate from Amritsar; and Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans — BJP candidate from Faridkot.

Further exacerbating the situation, some of the villages had, on its own, enforced a ban on the entry of BJP leaders within their precincts. The ban has been symbolically represented by boards and banners installed in the villages, warning BJP leaders against entry. It read, “Kisaana da dilli jaana band hai; Bharatiya Janta Party da pindaan vich aana band hai (loosely translated as farmers not allowed to go to Delhi; BJP not allowed to enter villages).”

The development unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing farmer protests, particularly at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana. Under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM-non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), farmers are rallying to voice their grievances, as a part of their ‘Dilli Chalo’ campaign. They were originally en route to the national capital to demand legal guarantees on Minimum Support Price (MSP) promised by the Centre, but were halted in their tracks, prompting them to stage a protest at the inter-state border.

The questionnaire has been prepared by a panel of five SKM leaders — Balbir Singh Rajewal, Prem Singh Bhangu, Ravneet Singh Brar, Angrej Singh, and Baldev Singh Nihalgarh.

Releasing the questionnaire, SKM’s senior leader and All India Kisan Federation president Prem Singh Bhangu and BKU (Lakhowal) president Harinder Singh Lakhowal on Tuesday said that BJP is anti-farmer, anti-democratic, anti-federal and pro-corporate, and so it has to be stoutly opposed and exposed. “It has no right to take the votes and should be opposed and questioned peacefully in a democratic way,” said Bhangu.

Making a fervent appeal to the people of the state to stay peaceful, farmer leader Ravneet Brar urged them to question the BJP candidates without getting into any brawls. At the same time, Brar made it clear that the farmers are “not supporting any particular party…We will appeal the people to just don’t vote for the BJP and vote for the candidate whom they think will work for people of Punjab”.

Seeking accountability for various grievances, the farmers 11 questions would demand explanations for the brutal tactics employed during the ‘Dilli Chalo’ farmers’ protests like road blockades and violent crackdowns, questioning why peaceful protesters were treated like foreign invaders. It also seek justice for those killed and injured during the agitation, particularly highlighting the case of Shubhkaran. Additionally, they demand the implementation of Dr MS Swaminathan's report and the legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) as per C2 plus 50 percent. The unresolved Lakhimpur Kheri incident and the presence of Ajay Mishra Teni in the Union Cabinet will also be raised as concerns. Furthermore, they would question the BJP’s stand on the withdrawal of cases against protesting farmers, debt waivers, and transparency regarding the Electricity Amendment Act and Pollution Act.

The controversial issue of electoral bonds and the perceived corporate influence on policies are also brought to light in the questionnaire. Moreover, question will also be raised on the Government's decisions regarding dam management and the establishment of silos, alleging detrimental impacts on Punjab's agricultural sector.

BOX

Farmers’ 11 Posers to BJP

1.      Why were the roads blocked by digging them with iron rods? Who put up barricades, fired bullets and teargas shells on farmers during their agitation? Are we foreigners that we were not allowed to go to Delhi?

2.      Why was young farmer Shubhkaran was martyrs in police firing? What led to the injuries of 400 farmers and the destruction of their tractors?

3.      Why hasn't the government implemented Dr MS Swaminathan's report? What prevents in granting legal status to Minimum Support Price (MSP) as per C2 plus 50 percent?

4.      Why haven't the perpetrators of Lakhimpur Kheri killings been brought to justice? Why is Ajay Mishra Teni still in the Union Cabinet despite his involvement?

5.      Why haven't all cases filed against farmers during the Delhi protests been withdrawn?

6.      If corporate debts can be forgiven, what obstacles prevent the waiver of farmers' debts?

7.      Why was the Electricity Amendment Bill introduced in the Parliament despite promises to the contrary?

8.      Why hasn't agriculture been exempted from the scope of pollution laws?

9.      Why have you sold the country to corporates by way of corruption through Electoral bonds?

10.  Why were control over Bhakhra and Pong Dams taken away from Punjab through the Dam Safety Act?

11.  Why are Punjab's markets being disrupted under the pretext of setting up silos?