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BKU protest in Bathinda turns violent as farmers clash with cops
Farm protesters were marching to Bathinda district headquarters to demand the release of two leaders jailed for assaulting DSP.
A violent clash broke out on Wednesday between activists of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and police at Jeond village as farmers attempted to march to the district administrative complex (DAC) in Bathinda. Police used tear-gas shells to disperse stone-pelting protesters, resulting in at least two serious injuries among the union activists.
The confrontation is the second in 12 days and erupted after authorities tried to prevent BKU members from staging a dharna demanding the release of leaders Baldev Singh and Shagandeep Singh, who are in judicial custody for the alleged attempted murder of DSP Rahul Bhardwaj in January 2025. Both were arrested on April 5, 2025, and are lodged in Bathinda Central Jail.
On Wednesday, the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted regular bail to both leaders, and they are expected to be released on Thursday.
BKU activists blocked roads at Jeond village, about 40km from Bathinda, using tractors and trailers. While key union leaders were not arrested, several activists were taken into custody.
SSP Jyoti Yadav Bains stated that police used “mild force” to maintain law and order after protesters turned violent and pelted stones. A DSP-led team later met BKU leaders to pacify the situation.
Union state vice-president Jhanda Singh Jethuke claimed more than six members were injured, including one hit by a tear-gas shell, and condemned the police action. He demanded the release of detained volunteers and withdrawal of cases against nearly 2,000 activists from a February 6 protest.
Heavy police deployment remained at inter-district borders and city entry points to prevent the dharna. The standoff stems from a nearly 70-year-old land dispute between landowners and cultivator tenants, which the Supreme Court resolved in favour of landowners. The BKU has continued to express dissatisfaction over the ruling, leading to repeated confrontations with authorities.
300 farmer activists detained in Sangrur
Around 300 farmers associated with BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) were detained in parts of Sangrur, including the villages of Jakhepal and Sheron, while heading to Bathinda. The action even led to some confrontation between the police and the farmers. According to police, the detentions were made to maintain law and order.
