The protest against the government’s land pooling policy to acquire over 65,000 acres of land in 164 villages of Punjab is being held under the banner of the Zameen Bachao Punjab Bachao Sangharsh Committee. Farmers from 32 of the 44 Ludhiana villages affected by the scheme, especially those located in the constituencies of Dakha, Jagraon, Gill, and Raikot, are participating in the protest.

“We have made a roster chart and accordingly, villagers have been told to visit the dharna spot—the same way we used to go to the Delhi borders to protest against the farm laws,” said Jagrup Singh Hassanpur, a committee member from Hassanpur village, located 11 km from the protest site.

“Currently, the participation is from Ludhiana villages alone, and its scope can widen if the government does not listen to us,” said Jagrup Singh Hassanpur, a member of the committee.

While the turnout is modest on most days—except Sundays and Mondays—villagers say the dharna is only in its early stage. “This is just the start…we are gathering in small numbers as we do not want to create public inconvenience. We are sitting on one side of the gate near the service lane. We want the government to repeal the policy, and if they do not agree, our dharna will grow bigger,” said Didar Singh Malak from Malak village.

Women from Dakha village are expected to arrive in large numbers on Sunday. “The women are gathering in large numbers within the villages…if there is no land… how will they survive? We feel sad that every government takes farmers for granted and creates a situation to make us sit on roads and later blame us for protesting without reason,” said Jagjit Singh, sarpanch of Dakha village and a member of the Shiromani Akali Dal.

He further added, “Punjab CM [Bhagwant Mann] himself had targeted the farmers protesting on roads several times in the past… so he needs to understand that the root cause of these dharnas lies in him and his illogical policies.”

In a sign of shifting political sentiments, Varinder Singh, AAP block president from Dakha block and a resident of Dakha village, resigned from his party post and has been actively joining the protests.

“Earlier, he used to tell us the benefits of the scheme, but it seems that he has sensed the growing resistance. It is better late than never,” said Ranjodh Singh, a panch from Dakha village and Akali Dal member.

AAP leader Tapinder Singh Jodhan also resigned as the Jodhan block president this week.

‘No idea how long protest will go on’

The GLADA office is located near Rajguru Nagar and New Rajguru Nagar—areas largely inhabited by landlords from nearby villages. “New Rajguru Nagar is still recorded as a panchayat in land records, despite being urbanised. That connection may explain the public support seen in the earlier protest,” a villager observed.

The villager is referring to the year-long protest during the farm law agitation, when BKU (Ugrahan) members held a dharna near a nearby mall. Locals had supported the protest then by providing daily supplies.

“I have no idea how long this dharna will go on, but we will not lift it till the policy is withdrawn,” Hardeep Singh of Sarabha village said. Hardeep is not directly affected but has joined the protest in solidarity.

The Indian Express contacted Himanshu Jain, Chief Administrator of GLADA and Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, and Swapan Sharma, Police Commissioner. Both officials were unavailable for comment.

“No one has approached us from the administration or government regarding lifting the dharna. However, the police did request us to leave space for public movement, and that we are doing in an organised manner,” Didar said.

He also clarified that the protest is not being led by any farmer union. “It is purely by the villagers, though many are members of various unions. Union leaders do visit the dharna spot off and on,” he added.