Partap Singh Bajwa Leads Massive Protest at Mohali Against GMADA’s Land Acquisition; Balbir Singh Sidhu, Congress Workers Stand Firm with Farmers
The Voice of Chandigarh
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, along with former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, Congress workers and farmers, held a strong protest outside PUDA Bhawan, Mohali against land acquisition by GMADA. A large number of farmers and local residents participated and raised slogans against the government.
Addressing the gathering, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa launched a sharp attack on Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal. He said the present government has betrayed the people of Punjab and pushed the state into heavy debt. He claimed that in five years, the Aam Aadmi Party government would burden Punjab with nearly ₹5 lakh crore debt.
He further alleged that Arvind Kejriwal is taking decisions for Punjab while sitting in Delhi, and the Chief Minister has been reduced to a mere puppet. He accused the government of working to grab land and benefit big corporate houses instead of protecting people’s rights.
Warning the government, Bajwa said that if the decisions are not withdrawn immediately, the Congress Party will launch a massive agitation from the streets to the Vidhan Sabha. He said this is not just a fight of farmers but of every Punjabi standing up for their rights, and the people of Punjab will give a befitting reply.
Speaking in support of farmers, Bajwa said Punjab’s land has been made fertile by farmers’ hard work and no government has the right to acquire it without their consent. He accused the government of betraying farmers and framing policies to benefit corporate houses. He alleged a conspiracy to forcibly acquire land and displace farmers, which will not be allowed to succeed. He asserted that the Congress Party will stand firmly with farmers and fight from the streets to the courts if needed.
Former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, while addressing the gathering, said that the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government is committing clear injustice against farmers through GMADA. He alleged that land is being acquired without proper compensation and later commercial entities are being preferred over farmers during plot allotments.
Sidhu said that earlier, 28 villages were displaced in the name of building Chandigarh, where residents lost their homes and livelihoods and struggled for years to rehabilitate themselves.
He said the same injustice is now being repeated, with attempts to acquire land without people’s consent, calling it outright betrayal and oppression that will not be tolerated.
He also pointed out that even farmers allotted corner or park-facing plots are being charged extra like general allottees, which is unfair. He claimed that the government is planning to acquire around 11,000 acres more land, which the Congress Party will strongly oppose.
Sidhu said that during the Badal government, farmers’ land was forcibly acquired for meagre compensation, but the Congress government implemented the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 to ensure fair compensation, consent and transparency. He alleged that both previous and present governments have followed similar exploitative paths.
He demanded that GMADA should issue a white paper detailing the land acquired so far, the revenue generated and the amount spent on Mohali’s development.
He also expressed concern over the proposed AI project spread over 182 acres in villages Safipur, Nadyali, Dharamgarh and Rurki, stating it could prove harmful and that other states have rejected similar projects. He alleged that both the Punjab and Central governments are using Punjab as a testing ground.
Sidhu added that if farmers had not strongly opposed the three farm laws brought by the Centre, farmers would have been under the control of big corporates today. He said Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders fought both inside and outside Parliament, forcing the government to repeal the laws.
He assured that once a Congress government is formed, justice will be delivered to every farmer and Mohali will be made number one in terms of development.
Sidhu warned that if the injustice against farmers is not stopped immediately, they will not hesitate to fight a legal battle. He asserted that the Congress Party will approach courts and challenge the government at every platform to ensure justice for farmers.
During the protest, senior Congress leader and former Chairman of Market Committee Kharar, Harkesh Chand Sharma Machhli Kalan, played an important role as stage secretary. The protest was also addressed by Harjeet Singh Bholu, Hardyal Chand Badbar, farmer leader Makkhan Singh Geegemajra, farmer leader Surjit Singh Manak Majra, Gurpratap Singh Badi, Gurpreet Singh Shekhan Majra, Jagrup Singh Dhol Kuradi, Mayor of Mohali Amarjeet Singh Jeeti Sidhu, and Kanwarbir Singh Sidhu, among others. A large number of Congress leaders, councillors, farmer representatives, party workers, panches and sarpanches from various villages were present.
