Hundreds of farmers from across the country convened at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Monday, 25 August 2025, to participate in a Kisan Mahapanchayat organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). The gathering focused on pressing demands: a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, exclusion of agriculture, dairy, poultry, and fisheries sectors from proposed trade agreements with the United States, and the withdrawal of police cases against farmers from the 2020-21 farm law protests.
Delhi Police deployed about 1,200 personnel to ensure security and maintain order. Despite intermittent rain, the event progressed peacefully with active participation from farmers across various states.
Unified Voices for a Legal MSP and Protection of Agricultural Interests
At the core of the Mahapanchayat was the longstanding demand for a legal guarantee on MSP, emphasizing that the current government assurances remain insufficient for thousands of farmers who face unpredictable market conditions. SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal highlighted, “The MSP demand is not limited to Punjab and Haryana alone; farmers across the country are united in this call.”
Farmers from states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu shared their struggles with debt and uncertainty. Apart from the MSP demand, the farmers firmly urged that sectors fundamental to rural livelihoods-agriculture, dairy, poultry, and fisheries-be protected and kept outside the scope of any India-US trade deals, fearing potential exploitation and market disruptions.
The police confirmed calm proceedings, with officers facilitating phased entry and ensuring amenities like water and medical support for the attendees.
Historical Context and Continued Unresolved Issues
This gathering comes almost four years after the historic 2020-21 farmers’ protests where tens of thousands camped near Delhi’s borders demanding the repeal of three contentious farm laws. While those laws have since been repealed following vigorous nationwide protests and negotiations, many promises made to farmers remain unfulfilled. Most notably, farmers await a legally binding MSP law that would safeguard their incomes against volatile markets.
The rise of the Kisan Mahapanchayat also stems from concerns about India’s evolving trade policies, particularly fears that high-stakes agreements with the US could compromise farmers’ interests by opening up domestic markets to cheaper imports or undermining established protections.
Farmer leaders reiterated their commitment to peaceful protest while calling on the government to honour its promises, including the withdrawal of police cases registered during the agitation that many view as attempts to intimidate and silence dissent.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Kisan Mahapanchayat represents more than just a protest; it is a powerful expression of farmers’ continued struggle for dignity and justice in a rapidly changing economic landscape. The demand for a legal MSP and safeguards against adverse trade agreements is not just about economic security but about trust between the state and its citizens.
The Logical Indian believes that sustainable solutions arise from empathetic dialogue and inclusive governance, respecting the voices of those who feed the nation.
