Farmers call off dharna after 13 days

After a meeting with the district administration and officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), farmers, who had been staging a dharna near Sohana village under the banner of the BKU for the past 13 days to press their demand for entry and exit points on the eastern bypass, called off their protest. They were assured that a passage would be provided to access the Meerut Road interchange, allowing easy entry to the eastern bypass.

Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan also took up the issue with the district authorities, directing the resolution to resolve the issue with the consent of all.

With the solution in place, the agency can now resume construction work on the project, which had been halted due to the protest.

The decisive meeting was held on Monday at the office of Karnal SDM Anubhav Mehta, where representatives from the farmers’ union, district administration, NHAI and the contractor reached a consensus. The meeting lasted nearly two hours and concluded with an assurance to the farmers that passage would be provided.

“A passage will be provided to the villagers to reach the inter-section on Meerut road,” said an official.

The protest formally ended with a public address by BKU leaders, including state president Ratan Mann, state in-charge Mehtab Kadian, state organisation secretary Shyam Singh Maan, chairman Yashpal Rana, district president Surender Singh Ghumman, spokesperson Surender Sangwan, and protest coordinator Bablu Sohana.

On the final day, women actively participated in the dharna, lending a powerful emotional and spiritual tone to the protest. BKU president Ratan Mann formally announced the end of the protest.

“The path of struggle is never easy, but when there is unity and determination, any demand can be fulfilled. The farmers displayed immense patience and discipline for 13 days, and today they have achieved what they stood for,” said Mann.

He said the outcome sends a powerful message for other rural movements. “The protest has once again proven that when the farmers unite and voice their demands peacefully, no administrative hurdle can stop their resolve. The victory of Sohana’s farmers will inspire other rural communities across the state and beyond,” he said. Other leaders echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of collective strength, non-violence and perseverance.

“The issue raised by the farmers has been resolved,” said SDM Anubhav Mehta.

Haryana Tribune