Chandigarh, March 19, 2025: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Malvinder Singh Kang has called for a collaborative and strategic approach to resolve the ongoing farmers’ protest, which has resulted in prolonged border closures and significant economic losses in Punjab. Kang emphasized that while the farmers’ struggle is legitimate, the impact on Punjab’s economy, tourism, and investment climate needs urgent attention.
Kang addressed the media, highlighting the severe repercussions of the year-long border blockades. “Punjab’s borders, particularly at Shambhu, have been closed for over a year, leading to major disruptions in trade and transportation. This has hurt Punjab’s economy, reduced investments, and caused a noticeable decline in religious tourism. Fewer devotees are visiting sacred sites like Darbar Sahib, which is affecting the state’s cultural and economic fabric,” Kang stated.
He underscored the economic damage caused by the prolonged protests. “The closure of borders has discouraged industrial investment, which directly impacts job creation. Unemployment is one of the root causes of drug addiction in Punjab. If we want to address this issue effectively, we need to ensure a stable economic environment that encourages investment and industrial growth,” he explained.
Kang reaffirmed Punjab’s unwavering support for the farmers’ movement. “Every Punjabi—whether from urban or rural areas, whether a laborer, businessman, or youth—has stood with the farmers, from opposing the black farm laws to securing their repeal. That victory was a result of unity and resilience,” he said.
However, Kang stressed that the farmers’ demands primarily concern the central government, not the state. “Honorable Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also pointed out that most of the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), fall under the central government’s jurisdiction. We need to take this fight to Delhi rather than hurting Punjab’s economy by blocking our own borders,” he urged.
He called on the farming community to reconsider their approach. “By blocking borders, we are not just disrupting trade but also halting potential investments and industrial growth. Punjab needs a strong economy to provide jobs and tackle social issues like drug abuse. We must adopt a strategy that ensures Punjab’s prosperity while continuing the fight for farmers’ rights,” Kang stated.
Expressing his solidarity with the farmers, Kang concluded, “We urge our farmer brothers to shift the focus of their agitation to Delhi, where the real decisions are made. Let us unite for Punjab’s growth and ensure that our strategies do not harm the state’s economy or the livelihood of our people.”
