‘Won’t Back Down,’ Say Farmers as Shambhu Protest Sees Second Death in 3 Weeks

Farmers' protest at Shambhu Border sees second suicide in three weeks, intensifying demands for MSP law.

Farmers at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border come together to demand a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops.

Resham Singh's suicide highlights farmers struggles and strengthens their determination.

(Photo: The Quint)

(Trigger Warning: Mention of suicide. If you feel suicidal or know someone in distress, please reach out to them with kindness. You can reach out to local emergency services, helplines, and mental health NGOs here.)

In February 2024, 55-year-old Resham Singh, a farmer from Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, joined hundreds of other farmers at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border to demand a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops. 

One year on, on 9 January 2025, Resham died by suicide, allegedly after consuming poison at that very protest site.

“In order to wake up the Centre and state government, we need to sacrifice ourselves and I have started it. I am a member of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and even in the next birth, I will serve the KMSC. Considering Dallewalji’s will power, where he is ready to sacrifice his life, I am sacrificing myself before that.” he said in a suicide note which was allegedly recovered from his pocket.

Resham, a resident of Tarn Taran’s Pahuwind village, was taken to the Government Hospital in Rajpura after he allegedly consumed insecticide at the Shambhu border. 

Resham Singh’s brother Tarsem Singh told The Quint, “Resham ji was taken to Rajendra Hospital in Patiala as his condition worsened, and there, medical professionals declared him dead.”

On 18 December, another farmer — 57-year-old Ranjodh Singh — also died by suicide at the Shambhu Border. 

The Quint spoke to Resham’s family, and farmers at the protest site to understand what drove the 55-year-old to take his own life, demands of the protesters, and future of the movement. 

Rising Debt and Government ‘Apathy’

Survived by his mother, wife, son, daughter-in-law and a grandchild, Resham took a loan of Rs 8-9 Lakh from a cooperative bank which he was struggling to repay.

His brother Tarsem said, “Resham was struggling financially, because of which, he took loans from private lenders to build a house, to open a small boutique, and for his son’s wedding. The only source of income was through the boutique and the land he bought on lease for farming. As he didn't have properties or land, he took a loan from Arthiyas (middlemen) to buy land, which further pushed him into debt.

He was at the protest site, not because he was in financial trouble but for the bigger demand of MSP which will benefit all farmers.”

“Resham ji ke paas Zameen nahi par Zameer tha. (Resham Singh didn't have land but had a conscience),” Tarsem added. 

Tejvir Singh, leader and spokesperson for Bhartiya Kisan Union - Shaheed Bhagat Singh (BKU-SSV) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) said, “Government has agreed to give a job to Resham Singh’s family member, a compensation of Rs 20 lakh, and waiver of all his loans.”

“We will file a case against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah under the IPC Section 306 (abetment to suicide),” Tejvir added while referring to the alleged mention of Modi and Shah in the suicide note.

Tarsem added: “Resham was involved in the protest from day one. He took this massive step and sacrificed his life to express resentment against the government's apathy towards farmers.”

“The demand for an MSP law is very important to the farmers. Every farmer here is ready to die for this demand,” he said. 

Farmers protesting at the Shambhu Border.

(Photo: Special Arrangement)

Farmers Intensify Protest for MSP Law

After the yearlong farmers’ agitation of 2020-21, where farmer fronts from across the country camped at the borders of Delhi to successfully demand a rollback of three contentious farm laws. In February 2024, two factions of farmer unions from Punjab: the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) led by Sarwan Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sidhupur) launched a fresh protest for a legal guarantee of MSP among other demands. 

In December, Jagjit Singh Dallewal launched a fast-unto-death to convince the Centre to agree to the demands of the protesting farmers. On Sunday, 12 January, Dallewal’s fast entered its 47th day.

Gurvinder Singh Sadarpur, leader, Bharti Kisan Ekta Union Azad said, “Farmers faced water cannons and tear gas, and overcame multiple challenges along the way. At this point, we cannot afford to lose hope, and we won’t. We understand this may take time, but we are determined to continue our protest until the government fulfills our demands.” 

“I believe that the Punjab BJP leaders are moving in the wrong direction. They should go to Modi's office and ask him to step in and settle the issue rather than going to the Akal Takht,” Dallewal said in an interview to news daily The Tribune.

He further added that the leaders should visit Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar's office, as he has already voiced his concerns regarding our matter. The offices of Home Minister Amit Shah and Agriculture Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan) must also be visited.

“So far, 35 farmers have died during the protest and almost 470 farmers have been injured.”

Tejvir Singh. leader and spokesperson for BKU-SSV and KMM

‘Protests Will Continue’

Currently, farmers at the protest site appeal to the Modi government to fulfill their demands, which according to them will help cut down inflation in the country.

Gurlal Singh, a farmer said, “The suicide of Resham Singh has sparked farmers' betrayal and a stronger will to fight for their demands, as the Modi government fails to even acknowledge the deaths of farmers.”

Protest Site, Shambhu Border.

(Photo: Special Arrangement)

Sukhwindar Sabrha, another farmer at Shambhu border said, “There are many challenges at the protest site but we are all powering through as the fulfillment of our demands is more important. We have made tents to protect the farmers from extreme winter conditions and rain and makeshift toilets. Women at the protest site make food, and the harsh conditions don’t deter their resolve as they understand that in order to protect the kheti mandi, they will have to fight.”