Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has joined the large-scale protest at the Shambhu border, which connects Haryana and Delhi, where farmers have been camped for 200 days. The farmers are demanding that the Central government fulfill its promises, including providing a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.

At the protest site, Vinesh Phogat expressed her frustration, saying that the country cannot progress while people are forced to protest on the streets. She emphasized the critical role of farmers, stating, “It has been 200 days since they’ve been sitting here. It is painful to see this. Farmers run the country. Without them, nothing is possible—not even athletics. If they don’t feed us, we won’t be able to compete. Often, we are helpless; we represent our country at significant levels, but we cannot do anything for our own families when we see them suffering.”

Phogat urged the government to listen to the farmers and fulfill the promises made, noting that the country’s progress is hindered by such prolonged protests. She was also honored by farmer leaders upon her arrival at the Shambhu border to mark the 200-day milestone of the agitation.

On August 22, the Supreme Court instructed the States of Punjab and Haryana to continue engaging with the protesting farmers to encourage them to clear the highway at Shambhu border. Previously, the court had directed the Senior Superintendent of Police in Patiala and Ambala, along with the Deputy Commissioners of both districts, to explore the possibility of partially reopening the highway for ambulances, essential services, and daily commuters. In February, the Haryana government had erected barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway in response to the farmers’ planned march to Delhi in support of their demands.