In the quiet expanse of Punjab's Patiala district, the village of Shambhu has become a symbol of resistance and the epicenter of farmers' protests.
Located near National Highway 44 and bordering Haryana, Shambhu first gained national attention in 2020 when farmers protesting against three central farm laws broke through barricades at the Shambhu border to march towards Delhi.
Today, the village is back in the news as the Punjab and Haryana High Court recently directed Haryana to remove the barricades preventing farmers from heading to the capital.
The Shambhu border has become a recurring theme in political rhetoric in Punjab and Haryana. Politicians frequently reference it to criticize their opponents, using it as a metaphor for the divide between state and central policies.
During Parkash Singh Badal's tenure as Punjab's Chief Minister (2007-2017) and under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, critics often mocked Badal’s frequent meetings with the PM.
They accused him of submitting demands politely in Delhi, only to return to Punjab and lambast the Centre once he crossed the Shambhu border.
The Badals would similarly criticise their rivals for making trips to Delhi to meet with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ministers.
Shambhu Sarai: Historical landmark
Shambhu is divided into Shambhu Kalan, a larger settlement, and Shambhu Khurd, a smaller one.
The village holds historical significance due to the Shambhu Sarai, a rest house built in the 16th century by Mughal emperor Sher Shah Suri along the Grand Trunk Road, which stretched from Chittagong (now in Bangladesh) to Peshawar (in Pakistan).
These Sarais were constructed at 50 km intervals to provide rest for travelers, traders, and soldiers. Although many have been destroyed over time, Shambhu Sarai still stands, albeit in a state of neglect, with a small mosque on its grounds.
In the early 1970s, following the formation of Haryana, a sales tax barrier was established on NH-44 to ensure tax compliance for goods entering Punjab.
This was later replaced by an information collection center in 1999. The sight of long queues of trucks often caused traffic jams at the border.
In 2000, a toll barrier was introduced, charging Rs 45 for a round trip for cars. This toll barrier was relocated about six to seven years ago from Mehmudpur village in Punjab to Nizampur village in Haryana, but it is still referred to as the Shambhu barrier.
The local police station, named Shambhu police station, likely contributed to the name's persistence.
The 2020 protests
The 2020 farmers' protest saw Shambhu become a focal point once again. Farmers staged a sit-in at the Shambhu railway station before heading to Delhi.
The protest site saw tents from Waris Punjab De, led by Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu until his untimely death in a road accident, and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar).
On November 26, 2020, farmers broke through the Shambhu barrier and several other blockades on their way to Delhi, throwing temporary barricades into the Ghaggar River.
The protests culminated in the eventual repeal of the three controversial farm laws.
Current protests
In February this year, farmers under the banners of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) called for another march to Delhi over demands including a minimum support price for crops.
This time, the Haryana government responded with six-layered barricading, paramilitary forces, walls, and barbed wire to halt the farmers.
Drones deployed tear gas, and rubber bullets were fired, leading to several injuries and the death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh.
Despite inconclusive talks between farmer unions and Union ministers, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has now ordered the removal of these barricades.
This directive comes at a crucial time as Haryana gears up for Assembly elections, putting the spotlight back on Shambhu and its symbolic significance in the farmers' struggle.
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