Archive · 23 May 2025
Punjab Land Dispute: Dalit Activists Arrested in Land Possession Protest
In Punjab, a group called ZPSC, fighting for land rights, tried to take over land near a sanctuary.
They were arrested by the police.
These activists, representing landless Dalits, are upset because the government promised them small plots of land but never delivered.
The land they wanted used to belong to a princely state.
They are also protesting the government's plan to buy a large amount of land, while not giving any to the landless.
A similar event happened in 2008-2009 when a labor group took over land, but the government took it back.
They want the government to give land to those who need it.
Dalit activists from ZPSC were arrested for attempting to take possession of land in Sangrur, Punjab.
The activists were demanding land originally owned by the erstwhile Jind princely state.
The protest was due to broken promises for 5-marla plots.
A protest was held in Delhi against the arrests of the activists.
Dalit organizations have been trying to get land vacated or taken possession of for decades.
- Who
- Dalit activists from ZPSC and other organizations, along with the Punjab government and police.
- What
- Protests and arrests related to landless Dalits' demands for land in Punjab.
- When
- Tuesday (arrests) and Thursday (protest at Punjab Bhawan)
- Where
- Sangrur district, Punjab, and New Delhi's Punjab Bhawan
- Why
- Landless Dalits protested for land promised by the government, and were arrested for attempting to take possession of land.
Landless Dalit Activists
Punjab Government
Land Acquisition Priorities
Landless Dalit Activists
The government should distribute surplus land to the landless rather than acquiring land for other purposes.
Punjab Government
The government is acquiring land for development, not for land distribution to landless people.
Use of Force
Landless Dalit Activists
The government should not arrest protesters and should implement the land ceiling act.
Punjab Government
The arrests were necessary to maintain law and order.
- Location of Protest
- Sangrur, Punjab
- Approximate Number of Arrests
- 350
- Land Targeted for Possession
- 927 acres
- Land Promised by Govt
- 5-marla residential plots
- Relevant Act
- Punjab Land Reforms Act, 1972