Jul 21, 2026 03:00 PM

BIG BREAKING

Consensus reached on farmers' demands

Farmers announce end of their protest

Farmers to return home following agreement

Meeting with Union Agriculture Minister to be scheduled within 10 days

Jul 21, 2026 01:35 PM

Breaking from Shambhu border

Punjab farmers held a meeting with Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana, during which the Haryana Government agreed to two key demands put forward by the farmers. One of the major assurances was that the farmers currently in custody will be released soon.

The Haryana Agriculture Minister is also expected to issue a letter later this evening regarding a proposed meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Following the discussions, farmer leaders said they would hold an internal meeting before announcing their next course of action.

Jul 21, 2026 12:41 PM

Security arrangements in Sonepat, Haryana

Jul 21, 2026 12:41 PM

SONEPAT BREAKING NEWS | Kundli border turns into a fortress

As farmers call for a march to Delhi in protest against the India-US trade deal, the Sonepat police have tightened the security. Beyond the existing three-layer barricading, the police have now started building a stone wall.  A heavy police force has been deployed at Kundli border.  Strict checking is underway of vehicles coming from Punjab and Haryana.

Jul 21, 2026 12:35 PM

Farmers' protest | FAQs

Q1: What is the current status of the India-US trade deal?

India and the United States are negotiating the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement. Several rounds of talks have already taken place between the two countries, but a final agreement has not yet been reached. Both sides are aiming to conclude an interim trade deal soon, with a more comprehensive agreement to follow at a later stage.

Q2: What is the purpose of this trade deal?

The agreement aims to increase trade between the two countries by reducing import-export tariffs and making it easier for companies to access each other's markets. The broader goal is to raise bilateral trade between India and the US to $500 billion within the next few years.

Q3: What could this trade deal include?

If the agreement goes through, India may reduce import duties on certain American goods. This could give US agricultural products, energy resources (such as LNG), and some industrial goods easier access to the Indian market. Rules governing the import of certain products, such as medical equipment, may also be simplified.

In return, the US may offer better market access to Indian products such as textiles, gems and jewellery, engineering goods and pharmaceuticals. Import duties on some Indian products could be reduced, and certain rules and formalities may be eased to help Indian companies do business more easily in the US market.

Q4: Why are farmers opposing this deal?

Farmer organisations fear that if import duties on US agricultural products are lowered, these goods could enter the Indian market at cheaper prices. This could make it difficult for Indian farmers growing maize, soybean, pulses, dairy products, apples and other crops to get fair prices for their produce. Farmers argue that American farmers receive heavy government subsidies, allowing them to export their products at lower costs,  putting Indian farmers at a competitive disadvantage and threatening their incomes.

Q5: What does the government say?

The Centre maintains that agriculture is a sensitive sector for India and that farmers' interests will not be compromised. It claims that farmers' interests will remain the top priority in any agreement, that sensitive sectors like dairy will be protected and that India will agree only to a balanced deal that serves its national interest.

Jul 21, 2026 11:51 AM

Shambhu Border: Key Updates

• The Haryana administration has assured farmer leaders that the detained farmers will be released by this evening
• Officials have proposed a meeting with farmer representatives to discuss the ongoing issues
• Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the matter can be resolved through dialogue and negotiations
• According to Pandher, the administration has assured them that a meeting with the Ambala Deputy Commissioner (DC) will be arranged to discuss the farmers' demands
• Sources said Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana may also reach the Shambhu border to hold talks with the protesting farmers
• Discussions between the administration and farmer leaders are expected to continue in an effort to defuse the situation peacefully.

Jul 21, 2026 11:49 AM

Key updates from Bahadurgarh

Farmers who are protesting at the Bahadurgarh Bypass have decided to return home

The decision was taken after discussions between farmer leaders and the police

The farmers are stationed at the bypass since 6 am

They were stopped by the police at the entry point of Dwarka Urban Extension Road (UER)-II while attempting to head towards Delhi

For several hours, the farmers were not allowed to move either towards Delhi or back towards Punjab

Following talks, both sides reached an agreement, leading to the suspension of the protest

Farmers will now return to their homes in Ferozepur, Moga and Ludhiana

Farmer leader Sukhjinder said they would continue to oppose the proposed India-US trade deal

He clarified that the agitation has been suspended, not called off

The next course of action will be decided after a meeting with various farmer organisations

The protest at Kisan Ghat had been planned under the banner of the Desh Bachao Morcha, with participation from farmer groups across the country

After the protest was cancelled, the farmers decided to head back to Punjab

The farmers began their return journey via the Bahadurgarh–Rohtak route

Around five to six buses carrying members of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Khosa) had travelled to Bahadurgarh for the protest

Jul 21, 2026 11:22 AM

Delhi Traffic police issue advisory

Delhi Traffic Police have issued a traffic advisory ahead of the farmers' demonstration at Kisan Ghat, warning commuters about possible congestion and traffic diversions across several parts of the city.

Traffic diversions are expected at the following locations:

Delhi Gate

Rajghat Crossing

Guru Nanak Chowk

Shantivan Chowk

Rajghat DTC Depot

IP Flyover

Roads commuters should avoid

Motorists have been advised to avoid these routes due to the expected gathering:

Satyagrah Marg

Velodrome Road

Rajghat DTC Depot Road

Rajghat DTC Bypass Road

Nearby connecting roads around the protest site

Police advisory for travellers

The Delhi Traffic Police have advised people travelling to the airport, railway stations, and other important destinations to leave early, plan their journey in advance and use navigation apps for real-time traffic updates to avoid delays.

Jul 21, 2026 11:20 AM

Shiromani Akali Dal extends support to farmers' Delhi march: Key points

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has extended its support to farmers travelling to Delhi for the 'Mahapanchayat'.

SAD senior vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema said the party stands firmly with the farmers

He stated that the farmers' concerns over the proposed India-US trade deal are genuine and deserve serious attention

Cheema urged the Central Government not to sign any agreement that could negatively affect Indian farmers

He said any trade deal should protect the interests of domestic farmers and ensure they are not forced to compete unfairly with foreign producers.

According to SAD, farmers' demands are justified and should be addressed through dialogue.

Jul 21, 2026 11:17 AM

Traffic advisory issued

With the Shambhu border closed due to the ongoing farmers' march towards Delhi, authorities have issued a traffic advisory and announced alternate routes for commuters travelling between Punjab and Delhi.

Alternate routes for vehicles coming from Delhi to Punjab

Route 1:

Ambala → Chandigarh Road → Lalru → Dera Bassi → Zirakpur → Punjab

Route 2:

From Lalru or Dera Bassi, commuters can use alternate internal routes to enter Punjab.

Alternate routes for vehicles coming from Punjab to Delhi

Route 1:

Rajpura → Lalru → Dera Bassi → Zirakpur → Ambala Cantt → Delhi

Route 2:

From Rajpura, Lalru or Dera Bassi, commuters can take alternate routes to reach Ambala Cantt before proceeding towards Delhi.

Emergency assistance

Authorities have advised the public to contact 112 for any emergency or travel-related assistance during the traffic restrictions.

Jul 21, 2026 11:12 AM

Five buses carrying farmers stopped in Bahadurgarh

The police in Bahadurgarh, Haryana, stopped five buses carrying farmers who were on their way to Delhi to join the ongoing protest.

The passengers were asked to get off the buses  and the vehicles were prevented from proceeding further towards the national capital. The action comes as security has been tightened across Haryana to stop farmers from reaching Delhi amid the renewed protest march.

Jul 21, 2026 11:10 AM

Shambhu Border closed again, for now, after reopening rarlier this year

The Shambhu border, a key crossing on NH-44 (GT Road) connecting Haryana and Punjab, has once again been closed amid the fresh farmers' protest.

The border had remained shut for 13 months (around 401 days) after it was sealed on February 13, 2024, during the farmers' agitation. Following legal proceedings in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the border was reopened on March 20, 2025, restoring vehicular movement.

However, with farmers once again attempting to march towards Delhi, authorities have temporarily sealed the border, disrupting traffic on the Delhi-Ambala-Amritsar route once again.

Jul 21, 2026 11:08 AM

Farmers stopped at Khanauri border, stage protest on highway

Farmers marching towards Delhi were stopped by the Haryana administration and police at the Khanauri border on Tuesday. Following the blockade, the protesters sat down on the road and began demonstrating at the spot, refusing to move back.

The protest is taking place near Dhavi Gujaran, a village in Punjab's Patran subdivision, which is the last village on the Punjab-Haryana border. Farmers have remained at the location after being prevented from entering Haryana and have continued their protest from the highway.