Farmers Protest Outside AAP Ministers’ Homes Over Crackdown and Toll Tax Hike

• Apr 1, 2025

Farmer unions across Punjab staged coordinated protests on Monday outside the residences of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers and legislators. The demonstrations were in response to the recent police action that dismantled over a year-long protest at the Punjab-Haryana border sites of Shambhu and Khanauri.

The protests were organized by members of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, who were forcibly removed by police on March 19. Demonstrations were held at 30 locations across 17 districts. While largely peaceful, two incidents of confrontation were reported — one in Moga between supporters of AAP MLA Devinderjeet Singh Laddi Dhos and the protesters, and another in Jalandhar where police stopped protesters from surrounding the home of Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat.

Farmer organizations had earlier rejected an invitation for talks from Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, demanding that the government first create a conducive environment for dialogue. A protest was also held outside the minister’s residence in Khuddian village, Lambi constituency.

One of the central issues raised during the protests was the recent toll tax hike on national highways. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher criticized the increased tolls, calling them a modern-day "jizya" — a historical tax imposed on non-Muslims. He alleged that the March 19 crackdown was intended to benefit toll plaza operators, as farmers had been blocking toll collection during their prolonged agitation. He noted that immediately after their removal, the toll booths resumed operations and commuters were forced to pay inflated charges.

The National Highway Authority of India, under the Central Government, had increased toll fees on Sunday by ₹5 to ₹15 for all vehicle categories. Pandher condemned the move, accusing both state and Union governments of acting in a vindictive manner toward Punjab.

Pandher also demanded strict action against Shambhu SHO Harpreet Singh and AAP MLA Gurlal Singh Ghanaur, accusing them of shielding individuals involved in the alleged theft of farmers' tractor-trailers during the police crackdown. He claimed the accused were close associates of the MLA. Ghanaur dismissed the allegations as baseless.

In Patiala, farmer leader Tejveer Singh led a protest outside the residence of Health Minister Balbir Singh. Protesters blocked the road to his house and demanded accountability for stolen property during the eviction. “A police officer and his relative have already been booked for stealing a farmer’s trolley from Khanauri — what more proof is needed?” said Tejveer Singh.

The farmer unions have indicated that their agitation will continue until their demands, including a fair investigation into the police action and theft allegations, are met.