Punjab Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal Concludes 130-Day Hunger Strike: What’s Next for Farmers?
Dallewal Ends His Hunger Strike
Chandigarh: Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent farmer leader from Punjab, has officially ended his hunger strike that began on November 26 of the previous year. His protest aimed to secure various demands from the government, particularly a legal assurance for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
The decision to conclude his fast was made public during a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' held at the grain market in Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib district, just a day after Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu urged him to cease his fast.
While announcing the end of his indefinite fast, Dallewal emphasized that the struggle for a legal MSP guarantee and other farmer demands would persist.
Addressing the crowd from a stretcher, he expressed gratitude to the supporters, stating, "For me, 'sangat' (people) is 'rabb da roop' (a form of God). I appreciate your commitment to the agitation as I had requested."
He further stated, "The agitation continues. Although I am reluctant to end my indefinite fast, your repeated requests compel me to respect your wishes."
Dallewal called for a stronger movement, asking the gathering if they agreed to intensify their efforts for the MSP guarantee.
He acknowledged the government's awareness of the farmers' determination, noting, "The government is alert and recognizes that farmers can fight. Your dedication to the agitation has not gone unnoticed."
Encouraging the farmers to show their support, he remarked, "Your order feels like a divine command," and with a heavy heart, he accepted their request to end his fast as the crowd erupted in chants of 'Kisan Mazdoor Ekta Zindabad' and 'Sardar Jagjit Singh Dallewal Zindabad.'
This development follows a recent crackdown by Punjab Police on protesting farmers, which included detaining leaders in Mohali after a meeting with a central delegation led by Minister Chouhan in Chandigarh on March 19.
The meeting aimed to address the farmers' demands, particularly regarding the MSP guarantee, but police actions included dismantling protest structures at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points.
On Saturday, Union Minister Chouhan reiterated his appeal for Dallewal to end his hunger strike, stating on social media, "The ongoing dialogue between the Government of India and farmers' representatives is still in progress."
He expressed wishes for Dallewal's swift recovery and confirmed a meeting with farmer representatives scheduled for May 4.
Dallewal, a senior figure in the joint forum of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), has been a vocal advocate for farmers' rights, particularly concerning inadequate compensation and farmer suicides.
His history of fasting for farmers' issues includes previous protests in March 2018, January 2019, January 2021, November 2022, and June 2023.
Before commencing his hunger strike last November, Dallewal transferred his 17-acre land to his family members.
His organization, BKU (Ekta Sidhupur), was part of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which led the significant farmers' protests against the now-repealed central farm laws in 2020, but later separated after a leadership change.