Explained: Who were the protesters in Punjab who stopped PM Modi’s car?

On the journey from Bathinda to the Hussainiwala National Martyrs’ Memorial in Ferozepur on Wednesday (January 5) afternoon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s car was stuck for 15-20 minutes on a flyover, following which his cavalcade returned to Bathinda airport.

Protesters who had blocked the road ahead were to blame for the exceptional breach of the Prime Minister’s security.

Surjit Singh Phool’s Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Krantikari gang squatted on the flyover near hamlet Piareana in the Ghall Khurd tehsil of Ferozepur district with 400-500 protesters.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which spearheads the year-long protests against the now-repealed farm rules on Delhi’s outskirts, is affiliated with the BKU Krantikari (Phool). It sits on the far left of the political spectrum, which the SKM also straddles.

The BKU Krantikari (Phool) has a significant presence in seven districts in Punjab, nine of which are in the Malwa region, and two in Majha. According to the group, there are 25,000-30,000 members across the state.

What were the farmers’ reasons for protesting?

Farmers were on a dharna in three locations on Wednesday, according to Baldev Singh Zira, general secretary of the BKU Krantikari (Phool): on this particular flyover; in Harika with the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (PKMSC); and in Kulgarhi.

The goal was to prevent BJP supporters from reaching the site of a planned gathering in Ferozepur, where the Prime Minister was supposed to speak. Due to inclement weather and rain, the rally was eventually cancelled.

Union units were also denouncing the PM’s planned rally in their respective district headquarters.

Were they aware that the Prime Minister would be passing through this area?

No, Zira replied. “We were completely unaware of his road trip. We were there to block BJP supporters, not the Prime Minister, who was scheduled to arrive via helicopter “Zira said.

The Prime Minister was scheduled to fly from Bathinda Airport, but it was afterwards decided that he would go by road to Hussainiwala.

The protesters had been warned by Ferozepur’s senior superintendent of police (SSP), Harmandeep Singh, that the PM’s cavalcade would pass through that route, Zira admitted.

Was the BKU Krantikari (Phool) the only union that was protesting against the PM’s planned rally?

No, the PKMSC was protesting at the district headquarters and sitting at five locations along roadways.

After officials assured them that the PM would meet with them on March 15 to discuss the farmers’ pending demands, including MSP for all crops, the withdrawal of all cases filed against the farmers during their protest, and compensation and government jobs for the next of kin of farmers who died during the protest, the PKMSC decided to call off their protests.

The BKU (Ugrahan), the state’s largest farm union, also protested at all district offices. An estimated 1 lakh union workers brandished “Go Back Modi” banners and burned effigies of the prime minister.