On 13 February 2024 farmers from Punjab set out for Delhi to demand a law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Haryana stopped them with concrete barricades at Shambhu and Khanauri, and they camped on the highways for more than a year. A young farmer, Shubhkaran Singh, was killed at Khanauri on 21 February 2024, and leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal fasted for about 130 days. Punjab Police cleared both sites on 19 March 2025 and detained hundreds of farmers; the MSP demand remains unmet.
Key takeaways
- The SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha marched for a legal MSP guarantee, the Swaminathan formula and a loan waiver. Haryana stopped them with barricades, tear gas and internet curbs, citing law and order.
- Shubhkaran Singh died of a firearm wound at Khanauri on 21 February 2024. The High Court ordered a judicial probe, saying neither state could run it alone.
- The Supreme Court formed a committee in September 2024 and threatened Punjab's top officials with contempt over Dallewal's medical care.
- Hours after talks with Union ministers on 19 March 2025, Punjab Police detained the leaders and cleared both sites, citing losses to trade. Talks have not resumed since May 2025.
Background: who marched and why
The march was called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal of BKU (Sidhupur), and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, coordinated by Sarwan Singh Pandher The Wire. Dallewal's union left the larger SKM, which led the 2020-21 farm law protest, after SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal formed a party for the 2022 Punjab election ETV Bharat/PTI. The main SKM did not join; Pandher said it "was not in favour" of the march The Tribune.
Besides an MSP law, the demands were the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and labourers, a farm debt waiver, no power tariff hike, withdrawal of police cases, "justice" for the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri victims, restoring the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of farmers who died in 2020-21 PTI via South First.
The Swaminathan demand means MSP at cost "C2" plus 50 per cent, counting family labour, rent on owned land and interest on capital, instead of the lower "A2+FL" cost used now. Farmers say that would raise prices by about 25-30 per cent Down To Earth.
13 February 2024: the march is stopped
Haryana barricaded the highway at Shambhu from 10 February, which its counsel later told the High Court was "to maintain law and order" Outlook/PTI. From 11 February it suspended mobile internet in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa, citing risk of "inflammatory material and false rumours" Outlook/PTI.
On 13 February, a day after talks with Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Arjun Munda ended in stalemate, farmers moved to the border. At Shambhu some broke an iron barricade and threw it off the Ghaggar bridge. Police fired tear gas, including shells dropped from drones ETV Bharat. The Patiala Deputy Commissioner had asked Ambala not to drop tear gas inside Punjab, MediaNama reported, citing The Indian Express MediaNama.
Talks in February 2024
Union ministers met farm leaders on 8, 12, 15 and 18 February, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann present IANS. In the last round, Goyal, Munda and Nityanand Rai proposed five-year contracts under which NAFED, NCCF and the Cotton Corporation of India would buy pulses, maize and cotton at MSP with "no limit on the quantity". Goyal said procurement at MSP was Rs 18 lakh crore in 2014-24 against Rs 5.50 lakh crore in 2004-14, and called the other demands "deep and policy-driven" PTI via South First.
On 19 February the forums rejected it. "We stand by our demand of legal guarantee of MSP on all 23 crops," Dallewal said Down To Earth. He also said: "The Haryana DGP, in a statement, said that they have not used tear gas or pellet guns. If no such order was given, then how come 400 people got injured?" PTI via South First Claim · Dallewal
21 February 2024: the death of Shubhkaran Singh
When the march resumed, Shubhkaran Singh of Balloh (also spelled Baloke) village in Bathinda was killed at Khanauri. Most reports give his age as 21; The Tribune has also said 22 The Tribune.
Farmers said Haryana police fired rubber bullets as well as tear gas. A Haryana police spokesperson said farmers attacked with stones and sticks, seriously injuring 12 personnel Deccan Herald, and that they surrounded police "by pouring chilli powder in the stubble" Business Today. The march was paused.
The post-mortem found a firearm wound to the back of the head, and a CT scan showed metal pellets Outlook Documented. Farmers alleged Haryana police fired; Haryana police denied it The Tribune. His father's complaint says he was "hit by a bullet at the back of his head". Punjab registered it on 28 February as a zero FIR against unknown persons The Wire.
Mann announced Rs 1 crore for the family and a government job for his sister ETV Bharat. On 23 February Ambala police dropped a plan, announced hours earlier, to detain leaders under the National Security Act. Police had said 30 personnel were injured and two policemen had died during the agitation The Tribune.
The inquiry into Shubhkaran's death
On 7 March 2024 the Punjab and Haryana High Court set up a committee under retired judge Jaishree Thakur with an ADGP from each state, saying the probe could not go to either "as both the states have several things to cover up". It was to establish jurisdiction, cause of death, the weapon and whether force was "commensurate with the situation". The court criticised Punjab's week-long FIR delay and cited Haryana's photographs of youths with batons, swords and spears The Tribune.
Haryana appealed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said 67 police personnel were injured: "If the police have to face PIL for every incident, how will they maintain law and order." On 1 April 2024 the Supreme Court refused a stay, saying a retired judge would "infuse fairness and transparency" The Tribune LiveLaw.
Hearings moved to Chandigarh after witnesses said they feared testifying in Haryana The Tribune. The interim report placed the incident within Haryana's jurisdiction "and nowhere else" The Tribune, and Haryana named Jhajjar Police Commissioner Satish Balan to head an SIT Outlook/PTI.
In July 2024 the Punjabi daily Rozana Spokesman reported that a forensic report submitted to the High Court found he was shot with a shotgun, "a weapon not possessed by the police or security forces stationed at the border", and that the court ordered further inquiry into who fired Rozana Spokesman Claim · single outlet report. No final committee report or charge against a shooter has been reported.
The courts and the Shambhu blockade
On 10 July 2024 the High Court ordered Haryana to remove the Shambhu barricades within a week Deccan Herald/PTI. When Haryana's counsel warned protesters might "gherao" the Ambala SP's office, Justice GS Sandhawalia said: "We are living in a democracy, farmers cannot be stopped from entering Haryana...let them do the gherao" IANS. Haryana said protests belong at designated places and "highways cannot be blocked" Outlook/PTI.
Haryana appealed. On 2 September a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan formed a high-powered committee under Justice (retd) Nawab Singh, asked farmers not to politicise the protest, and said they could shift to other sites Deccan Herald. In December, told the farmers were not engaging with it, the court said its "doors are always open" Deccan Herald.
Dallewal's fast and the Supreme Court
Dallewal, 70, began a fast-unto-death at Khanauri on 26 November 2024. On 20 December the Supreme Court made Punjab responsible for his health. On 28 December Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia warned Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and DGP Gaurav Yadav of contempt charges The Tribune.
Advocate General Gurminder Singh said Dallewal refused hospital, farmers would not allow it, and moving him risked "collateral damage of life and property". "We are helpless," he said. Justice Dhulia replied: "This is abetment to suicide" The Tribune. The bench asked whether the leaders were "interested in his life or something else" Deccan Herald.
On 18 January 2025 an agriculture ministry team led by Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan invited the forums to talks on 14 February, and Dallewal accepted a drip without ending his fast ETV Bharat/PTI. The court called this "positive" and put the contempt case in abeyance ETV Bharat.
December 2024: foot marches and a Punjab bandh
Unions tried to walk to Delhi without tractors. On 6 December a jatha of 101 was stopped on the Ghaggar bridge under BNSS Section 163 orders and hit with at least 20 tear gas shells. Pandher said nine were hurt; PTI quoted a farmer leader saying five or six. Haryana minister Anil Vij said farmers needed Delhi's permission or they would "lay siege to highways in Haryana" The Tribune PTI via DT Next.
On 8 December police offered tea and showered petals, then used tear gas and water jets. Reports quoting Pandher put the injured at six to eight PTI via DT Next Deccan Herald/PTI. A Haryana DSP said police acted after farmers "tried to pull down an iron mesh" The Tribune. A third attempt on 14 December was also halted Akashvani. On 30 December a nine-hour Punjab bandh in support of Dallewal largely halted rail services The Tribune/PTI.
Talks resume in 2025
Talks resumed on 14 February 2025 with a team led by Union minister Pralhad Joshi IANS. On 22 February Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Goyal and Joshi met the 28-member delegation, with three Punjab ministers present Business Standard/PTI. Pandher said farmers lost over Rs 20,000 crore in 2023-24 selling below MSP; Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said the Centre's ministers questioned the data, which "did not match their statistics" The Tribune.
19 March 2025: the border sites are cleared
After the third 2025 round, Chouhan said: "The talks will continue. The next meeting will take place on May 4." As the leaders returned through Mohali, Punjab Police detained Pandher, Dallewal, Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Singh Kotra and others. About 3,000 police went to Khanauri, where farmers said about 200 people remained. Officials declared the gathering illegal, gave "10 minutes" to leave, and used JCBs to remove stages PTI via DT Next. The Tribune reported over 300 detained that night and a "mild cane charge" at Khanauri The Tribune.
Haryana removed its barricades. Traffic resumed at Shambhu on 20 March after 400 days, and at Khanauri on 21 March The Tribune Outlook/PTI. By 24 March Punjab Police said about 800 had been released, with 450 more to follow. The state told the High Court Dallewal was in hospital by his own choice and free to leave ETV Bharat/PTI.
Released on 28 March, Pandher asked "what was the Punjab govt's compulsion to take action against farmers?" Business Standard. Punjab told the Supreme Court that Dallewal had ended his fast; Kohar said "His hunger strike continues" ETV Bharat/PTI. Dallewal ended it on 6 April at Sirhind, a day after Chouhan appealed to him: "with a heavy heart, I accept your order" The Tribune. Deccan Herald counted 131 days; PTI said 130 Deccan Herald PTI via DT Next.
Timeline
March stopped
Tear gas, some from drones ETV Bharat.
MSP offer rejected
Five-crop contracts turned down IANS.
Shubhkaran Singh killed
At Khanauri.
Judicial probe ordered
By the High Court The Tribune.
SC committee formed
Under Justice (retd) Nawab Singh.
Dallewal's fast begins
At Khanauri.
Foot marches halted
Three attempts at Shambhu.
Centre invites talks
Dallewal accepts medical aid.
Sites cleared
Leaders detained in Mohali.
Talks deferred
No new date given The Tribune.
Both accounts
Farmers' account
The unions say they wanted to march peacefully, and that the Centre and Haryana, not the farmers, blocked the highway Outlook/PTI. They allege excessive force, including rubber bullets and live rounds PTI via DT Next The Tribune, and say Haryana police shot Shubhkaran Claim · farm unions. The SKM called it "brutal police repression and murder" Deccan Herald. They say Punjab detained leaders it had invited to talks, and Pandher sought compensation for lost tents and tractors Business Standard.
Government accounts
Centre: it held four rounds of talks in 2024 and three in 2025, offered assured purchase of five crops, and says it is "committed to not only purchasing crops on the MSP, but also supporting farmer welfare schemes" The Tribune Government's position.
Haryana: the barricades protected law and order and marchers needed Delhi's permission The Tribune. It says protesters attacked police, 67 personnel were injured The Tribune, and its police did not fire the bullet that killed Shubhkaran IANS Government's position.
Punjab: it backed the MSP demand but cleared the sites because the highways were "the lifelines of the state". Cheema told farmers: "You fight with the Centre. We are with you." Police said "no force was used" PTI via DT Next.
Outcome
- Demands: No MSP law. The Centre deferred the 4 May 2025 talks after unions asked it to exclude Punjab's ministers The Tribune.
- Deaths: Shubhkaran Singh, by a firearm wound. The Tribune counted 33 protesters who had died at the two sites by December 2024 The Tribune. Haryana police said two policemen had died by 22 February 2024 The Tribune.
- Detentions: Over 300 on 19 March 2025 and over 400 by the next day, per The Tribune The Tribune.
- Courts: On 27 February 2026 the Supreme Court said the highway blockade issues "stand resolved" and asked the committee for sealed recommendations before closing the case LiveLaw.
Where things stand now
As of October 2026 no final findings of the Thakur committee, or charges in Shubhkaran's death, have been reported, and the MSP law demand is unmet. In July 2026 farm groups from Punjab and Haryana sent convoys towards Delhi again, this time against India-US trade talks, and many were stopped at border points Down To Earth. See Farmers, the Bharat Bandh and the trade deals of 2026.
Questions people ask
What was the 2024 Delhi Chalo farmers' protest?
A march by the SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha from Punjab towards Delhi from 13 February 2024, mainly for an MSP law. Haryana stopped it at Shambhu and Khanauri, where farmers camped until 19 March 2025.
How did Shubhkaran Singh die?
He was killed at Khanauri on 21 February 2024; the post-mortem found a firearm wound and metal pellets in his head. Farmers blame Haryana police, which denies it. A High Court-appointed panel is investigating.
Why was the Shambhu border closed for so long?
Haryana sealed it from 10 February 2024. The High Court ordered it opened in July 2024, but Haryana appealed. It reopened on 20 March 2025.
How long did Dallewal fast?
From 26 November 2024 to 6 April 2025, about 130 days. He took medical aid from 18 January 2025.
Sources
- ETV Bharat: Police drop tear gas from drones on protesting farmers near Shambhu border, 13 Feb 2024
- MediaNama: Haryana Police deploy drones, drop tear gas shells on farmers, Feb 2024
- Outlook/PTI: Haryana extends mobile internet suspension in seven districts, Feb 2024
- PTI via South First: Centre proposes 5-year plan to buy pulses, maize at MSP, 19 Feb 2024
- Down To Earth: Farmers reject Centre's new MSP proposal, Feb 2024
- IANS: Farmers reject Centre's proposal on MSP on five crops, 19 Feb 2024
- PTI via South First: Farmers reject Centre's proposal, to take out peaceful Delhi march on 21 Feb, 19 Feb 2024
- Business Today: Delhi Chalo march suspended for 2 days, 21 Feb 2024
- Deccan Herald: Who was Shubhkaran Singh?, 22 Feb 2024
- ETV Bharat: Punjab CM announces Rs 1 crore compensation, job to kin, 23 Feb 2024
- The Tribune: NSA not to be invoked against farmers, says Haryana Police, 23 Feb 2024
- The Tribune: Patiala Police begin investigation into Shubhkaran Singh's death, Mar 2024
- Outlook: Shubhkaran's post-mortem reveals firearm injury to head, Feb 2024
- The Wire: Punjab Police files FIR in farmer's death case, 29 Feb 2024
- The Tribune: SKM was not in favour of Delhi Chalo call, says Pandher, 27 Feb 2024
- The Tribune: High Court orders judicial inquiry into Shubhkaran Singh's death, 7 Mar 2024
- The Tribune: Panel led by retd judge to probe farmer's death, 8 Mar 2024
- The Tribune/PTI: Supreme Court refuses to stay High Court order on judicial inquiry, 1 Apr 2024
- LiveLaw: Supreme Court refuses to stay judicial probe into protester's death, 1 Apr 2024
- The Tribune: Witnesses apprehensive to depose in Haryana; venue shifted, Apr 2024
- The Tribune: High Court seeks affidavits on Shambhu blockade, May 2024
- Rozana Spokesman: Shubhkaran Singh died with shotgun, reveals investigation, Jul 2024
- IANS: Open Shambhu border within one week, says High Court, 10 Jul 2024
- Deccan Herald/PTI: HC orders removal of barricades at Shambhu within 7 days, 10 Jul 2024
- Outlook/PTI: High Court orders opening of Shambhu border within 7 days, 10 Jul 2024
- Deccan Herald: Supreme Court sets up committee on Shambhu farmers, 2 Sep 2024
- The Tribune: Shambhu turns battleground again, 9 hurt, 7 Dec 2024
- PTI via DT Next: Farmers suffer tear gas injuries, stopped at Shambhu, 6 Dec 2024
- PTI via DT Next: Haryana police use teargas after offering tea, flower shower, 8 Dec 2024
- Deccan Herald/PTI: Farmers suspend Delhi Chalo march for a day, 8 Dec 2024
- The Tribune: Farmers' march stalled at Shambhu again, 9 Dec 2024
- Akashvani: Farmers suspend Dilli Chalo march for a day, 14 Dec 2024
- Deccan Herald: Court doors always open, says Supreme Court, 18 Dec 2024
- The Tribune: Shift Dallewal to hospital or face contempt, 28 Dec 2024
- Deccan Herald: "Time is running out", Supreme Court on medical aid, 28 Dec 2024
- The Tribune/PTI: Punjab Bandh live, 30 Dec 2024
- ETV Bharat/PTI: Centre invites farmers for talks on Feb 14, 18 Jan 2025
- ETV Bharat: "Positive development", SC on farmers' protest, 22 Jan 2025
- IANS: Fifth round talks end; farmers, Centre to meet again on Feb 22, 14 Feb 2025
- Business Standard/PTI: Cordial talks held; next meet on Mar 19, 22 Feb 2025
- IANS: Talks with farmers end on positive note, 22 Feb 2025
- The Tribune: No headway as farmers firm on MSP demand, 23 Feb 2025
- PTI via DT Next: Punjab Police detain Dallewal, Pandher; clear protest sites, 19 Mar 2025
- The Tribune: Over 300 farmers detained; bulldozers clear sites, 19 Mar 2025
- The Tribune: Traffic resumes at Shambhu after 400 days, 20 Mar 2025
- Outlook/PTI: Traffic resumes at Khanauri border, 21 Mar 2025
- ETV Bharat/PTI: Dallewal not detained, Punjab tells High Court, 24 Mar 2025
- Business Standard: Movement will continue, says Pandher after release, 28 Mar 2025
- ETV Bharat/PTI: Dallewal has not ended fast, says farmer leader, 29 Mar 2025
- The Tribune/PTI: Dallewal ends indefinite fast, 6 Apr 2025
- Deccan Herald: Dallewal ends his indefinite hunger strike, 6 Apr 2025
- PTI via DT Next: Stir to go on, farmer leaders to attend May 4 talks, 7 Apr 2025
- The Tribune: Centre defers May 4 meeting with farmer unions, May 2025
- LiveLaw: Supreme Court asks committee for final recommendations in sealed cover, 27 Feb 2026
- Down To Earth: Farmers protest India-US trade talks as convoys stopped, Jul 2026