Farmers in Haryana staged protests on Saturday, blocking highways against the newly implemented biometric verification system for crop sales in mandis. Introduced in 2026, this Aadhaar-based fingerprint verification aims to enhance transparency and accountability in procurement, particularly after the 2025 Karnal paddy scam, where fraudulent activities led to significant government losses. Farmers argue that the new requirements create unnecessary hurdles and harassment, as they must physically present themselves for verification, which can be challenging due to health issues or other constraints. Protesters, including leaders from the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), have described the process as burdensome, likening it to a “Mahabharat” where they must repeatedly prove their identity. In contrast, Haryana's Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini defends the system, claiming it has already verified three-quarters of wheat arrivals as of April 8, 2026. He accuses opposition parties of misleading farmers about the reforms. Opposition leaders, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Abhay Singh Chautala, argue that the rules are arbitrary and distract from the real issue of collusion between officials and traders. The SKM has threatened to escalate protests if the biometric norms are not withdrawn, as the government continues to promote the system as a means to ensure faster and more transparent procurement.