Farmers Stage Republic Day Tractor Marches Across Punjab and Haryana
On Republic Day 2026, farmers and farm laborers across Punjab and Haryana organized district-level tractor parades under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) to press for their pending demands. The peaceful protests saw hundreds of young people driving tractors through towns and highways, with union flags mounted on vehicles and revolutionary songs filling the air.
District-Level Parades Across Both States
In Punjab, tractor parades termed as 'People's March' were organized in all districts from noon onwards, concluding around 4 pm. A total of 34 farmer unions participated in these demonstrations. The procession in Mansa district began from the Thuthianwali village grain market around noon and passed through College Road, Mansa town, and the district court complex before returning.
Gora Singh Bhainibagha, Senior Vice-President of Punjab Kisan Union, explained: "It was a silent protest from the farmers' side regarding our pending demands. We did not disturb any Republic Day functions as the march started after the official programs, around noon, and concluded by 4 pm. In Mansa district, tractor parades were organized at eight different locations."
Youth Participation and Enthusiasm
Young farmers played a significant role in the demonstrations. Balli Singh, 25, and Sukhdev Singh, 23, from Bhainibagha village participated in the Mansa tractor parade. Throughout the rallies, youngsters played revolutionary songs and raised slogans, with Manmohan Waris's popular song 'Assi jitange zarur jari jang rakhiyo' (We will definitely win; keep the struggle going) being played frequently.
Jagmohan Singh Patiala, who led the march in Patiala, noted: "Enthusiasm amongst the youngsters was huge... they are aware of their demands, many middle-aged farmers too drove the tractors."
Additional Protest Actions
In the Sidhwan Bet area of Ludhiana district, farmers first held a rally and later carried out a tractor and motorcycle march covering parts of Jagraon town. Meanwhile, at the Ladhowal toll plaza on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar highway, protesting farmers stopped toll collection for nearly three hours.
In Haryana, tractor parades were organized in Fatehabad, Ambala, and Sirsa, among other areas. Videos of tractor marches from both states circulated widely on social media platforms, showing long tractor convoys moving through towns and highways.
Historical Context and Constitutional Rights
The SKM noted that it first organized a tractor parade on January 26, 2021, during the farmers' agitation against the now-repealed three central farm laws at the Delhi borders. Since then, the organization has continued to observe Republic Day with district- and block-level tractor parades to highlight farmers' demands.
According to the unions, the parades aimed to protect constitutional rights, including:
- Freedom of expression
- The right to protest
- The principles of democracy
- Secularism and federalism
Key Demands Raised
Among the key demands raised this year were the withdrawal of several legislative proposals:
- The draft Electricity Amendment Bill 2025
- The four Labour Codes
- The VB-G RAM G Act 2025
- The Seeds Bill 2025
- The Shanti Bill 2025
- The Insurance Act 2025
- The New Education Policy
- The National Cooperation Policy
Additional Concerns and Demands
Farm laborer unions under the banner of Sanjha Mazdoor Morcha also participated in the parades and demanded the release of Mukesh Malaud, president of the Zamin Prapti Sangharsh Committee of Punjab. Malaud was arrested by the Punjab Police on December 30 from Nizamuddin railway station in a seven-month-old case related to a land rights protest and remains in judicial custody.
The SKM also expressed concern over what it termed as attacks on democratic rights, including the use of laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the National Security Act. They demanded the immediate release of prisoners detained for prolonged periods without trial, including Sonam Wangchuk of Ladakh.
The Republic Day demonstrations represented a continuation of farmers' efforts to draw attention to agricultural reforms and constitutional protections through peaceful, organized protests across two of India's key agricultural states.
