Makar Sankranti 2025: Honoring Farmers Who Feed the Nation

Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri — each of these festivals marks the harvest as we see the transition of the sun into Capricorn (Makar), a celestial movement that signifies longer days, new beginnings, and the arrival of harvest season.

Sankranti literally means "movement"—a profound reminder that life itself is movement. Whether it is the sun’s journey across the zodiac or the toil of farmers tending to their fields, movement is the force that sustains life on Earth. This principle is deeply woven into the spirit of the festival: we reap what we sow, and everything we take from this planet comes from the labor of those who work the land.

While Pongal celebrates abundance with sweet rice and offerings, and Lohri commemorates the winter harvest with bonfires and community gatherings, all these traditions share a common truth: without farmers, there is no harvest, no feast, and no celebration. In 2025, however, the harvest season arrives against the backdrop of continued protests by farmers demanding justice, dignity, and fair treatment.

The Struggles of Those Who Bring the Harvest

At the heart of this year’s celebrations lies a deeper question: How do we truly honor the hands that feed us? Protesting farmers, demanding fair wages, better prices for their crops, and an end to exploitative policies, continue their courageous stand against systemic neglect. Their struggle is not just for their livelihoods but for the dignity and sustainability of agriculture in India.

This week, the Supreme Court of India is mediating between protesting farmers and government representatives. While the court has expressed hope for a resolution, the delays and political posturing highlight the urgent need for systemic change. Justice Ujjal Bhuyyan’s call for the government to affirm its willingness to consider the farmers’ “genuine grievances” underscores a fundamental truth: these protests are not merely about policies—they are about human rights and survival.

A Festival of Gratitude Must Be a Festival of Justice

Makar Sankranti symbolizes abundance and gratitude, but can we truly celebrate while ignoring the plight of those who enable the harvest? This festival must serve as a reminder that the spirit of Sankranti demands justice for farmers.

1️⃣ Fair Wages and Living Standards: Farmers toil year-round to bring food to our tables. It is imperative to ensure that they are paid a living wage, free from the exploitation of middlemen and unfair pricing.
2️⃣ Support for Small-Scale Farmers: Many protesting farmers represent small-scale operations that struggle against corporate consolidation and government apathy. These farmers deserve policies that uplift their communities, not drive them into debt and despair.
3️⃣ Rejecting Tokenism: As the Supreme Court debates, let this not become another exercise in delay. Real change requires listening to farmers and implementing policies that prioritize their well-being over corporate interests.

Farmer leader Swarn Singh Pandher during the ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ in support of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on his 40-day Fast unto death at the Khanauri border, in Patiala on Saturday. File | Photo Credit: ANI

What Does Makar Sankranti Demand of Us in 2025?

Makar Sankranti is a celebration of shared abundance, a time to reflect on how communities come together to thrive. This year, the festival must also be a call to action. Let’s make it about standing in solidarity with those whose hard work sustains us: the farmers.

As kites soar into the sky, let them carry messages of support for fair wages, climate justice, and farmer rights. As we enjoy feasts, let us remember the hunger strikes and sacrifices of those like Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who are risking their lives, indeed giving their lives, to make their voices heard.

A Call for Accountability

The Supreme Court's involvement in mediating the farmers’ protests highlights the stakes of this moment. Justice Surya Kant’s assertion that medical help for Dallewal is not a ruse and Justice Bhuyyan’s criticism of the Centre’s silence are reminders that the voices of farmers must not be stifled or ignored.

As we celebrate Makar Sankranti, let us demand that the government truly open its doors to meaningful dialogue, ensuring that this year marks not just a harvest of crops but a harvest of justice and dignity for those who bring in the harvest.

Makar Sankranti 2025 ( along with Pongal, Lohri and our many and diverse harvest festivals) is not just a celebration; it is a call to renew our commitment to justice, equity, and the human rights of those who feed the nation. Let this festival remind us that honoring the harvest means honoring the farmers—and that means fighting for a future where they are treated with the dignity they deserve.