PATIALA: The Shiromani Akali Dal staged a massive protest outside the PUDA office in Patiala against the AAP government’s land pooling policy. A large number of farmers, party workers, and office-bearers participated under the leadership of Youth Akali Dal President Sarabjit Singh Jhinjar.
Addressing the rally, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sarabjit Singh Jhinjar said, “If Punjab is to be saved, we must stand united behind Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal Ji, holding the flag of the Shiromani Akali Dal, because he is leading the fight for farmers from the front.”
In this dharna, a large contingent of farmers, party workers, five circle presidents, village leaders, and senior leaders from Patiala district and the Ghanaur constituency raised slogans and expressed their opposition to the policy under the leadership of Jhinjer.
Hundreds of farmer leaders from Ghanaur constituency arrived in nearly 40 big and small buses, hundreds of cars, and other vehicles, gathering outside the PUDA office to demand the immediate withdrawal of the land pooling policy.
On this occasion, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal launched a sharp attack on Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating, “Punjab is drowning in debt of over ₹5 lakh crore. Government officials and employees are not getting their salaries, and there are prolonged power cuts. Instead of solving these issues, Kejriwal conspired with Delhi’s builders to strike a ₹30, 000 crore deal. The builders were taken around Punjab with DCs and officials to identify land they wanted, after which the government issued a notification to grab it.”
Badal assured the gathering, “No matter what sacrifices we have to make, we will not allow even an inch of farmers’ land to be taken.” He added, “Today, Kejriwal is acting as Punjab’s Chief Minister, while Bhagwant Mann is only posing for photographs.”
Party leaders condemned the policy as a direct attack on farmers’ rights, warning that it threatens the very existence of agriculture and rural life.
Jhinjar reiterated, “The land pooling policy is a conspiracy to snatch the land of farmers. It is a direct attack on their livelihood, and we will not allow it to be implemented under any circumstances.” He accused the AAP government of being determined to rob the people of Punjab of their lands and rights, recalling how during the night at the Shambhu border, officials uprooted farmers’ tents and stole trolleys and gas cylinders.
The protest was marked by high enthusiasm and passion. Jathedars from the Ghanaur constituency led slogans such as “Kisan Ekta Zindabad”, “Rollback Land Pooling”, and “Akali Dal Zindabad”. Youth Akali Dal workers waved party flags, rekindling memories of the Delhi border movement. From elderly farmers to the youth, every face reflected determination to fight till the end to protect their land.
Prominent among those present were Sardar Gurjinder Singh Ji, Circle President (Halka Ghanaur), Master Davinder Singh, Avtar Singh Sandhu,