The tragic death of 21-year-old Shubhkaran Singh, a farmer from Baloke village in Punjab’s Bathinda district, has ignited a fierce debate amidst ongoing clashes between farmers and police near the Khanauri border separating Punjab and Haryana.
Shubhkaran embarked on a journey to join the farmers’ march to Delhi on February 13, only to meet a tragic end eight days later during clashes with law enforcement. While the exact cause of his death remains unknown, farmers have vehemently opposed an autopsy, demanding swift government compensation for his bereaved family.
Described by neighbors as hailing from a financially distressed background, Shubhkaran’s family, consisting of his mentally-ill father and student sister, grapples with the burden of debt incurred for his sister’s wedding. With his mother deceased and his father ailing, Shubhkaran’s untimely demise leaves his family in dire straits.
The farmers’ protest, fueled by demands for guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP), pension benefits, and crop insurance, has faced staunch resistance from authorities. Haryana police, determined to thwart the farmers’ march to Delhi, have fortified borders and resorted to teargas and rubber bullets, further escalating tensions.
Amidst ongoing negotiations between farmers and the government, discontent over the proposed MSP formula simmers. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal condemns the use of force by Haryana police, underscoring the need for justice and recognition of Shubhkaran’s sacrifice.
The fallout from Shubhkaran’s death reverberates in political corridors, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann facing scrutiny over the handling of the situation. Opposition parties in Punjab accuse the government of complicity with Haryana police, intensifying the political strife.
As calls for justice and accountability amplify, Punjab stands at the precipice of a Punjab vs Haryana confrontation, underscoring the broader ramifications of the ongoing farmer agitation. The tragic loss of a young farmer serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll amidst the larger struggle for agrarian rights and dignity.
Sources By Agencies
