Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal Calls for ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ Amid Ongoing Hunger Strike
Khanauri: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 39 days, has urged supporters to join a ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ at Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border this Saturday. In a heartfelt video message, Dallewal called on all those who stand with the farmers’ demands for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops to gather in large numbers, saying he wishes to have their “darshan.”
The announcement comes as tensions rise in the ongoing farmer protests. In anticipation of the Mahapanchayat, the district administration has imposed Section 163 of the BNS at the Khanauri border area, prohibiting gatherings of five or more people, including protests and demonstrations. Despite the restrictions, the call for solidarity has gained momentum among farmer unions.
Dallewal’s Health in Jeopardy
The 70-year-old Dallewal has refused all medical intervention despite his declining health. His hunger strike has drawn attention to the farmers’ demands, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirming that a team of government doctors has been monitoring his condition closely.
On Saturday, Dallewal is expected to address the gathering briefly to share an important message. Farmer leader Abhimanyu Khar told PTI that the speech would last two to three minutes but would carry significant weight for the ongoing movement.
Farmers’ Longstanding Demands
Farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, 2024, under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Their 13-point charter of demands includes a legal guarantee on MSP, a core issue that has placed them at odds with the BJP-led central government.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently stated that the government would adhere to the Supreme Court’s directives regarding the protests. However, senior farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher dismissed the response, emphasizing that their demands are directed at the central government, not the judiciary. “The Modi government should directly talk to the protesting farmers,” he asserted.
Dallewal’s Open Letter to PM Modi
In an emotional open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dallewal stated his willingness to sacrifice his life for the farmers’ cause. “I have decided to sacrifice my life to stop the deaths of farmers. I hope that after my death, the central government will wake up from its slumber and move forward towards fulfilling our 13 demands, including a law on MSP,” he wrote.
Farmers Stand United Amid Challenges
The protests have witnessed unwavering determination from farmers despite restrictions and the government’s silence on key issues. The ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ is expected to be a significant event, highlighting the farmers’ resolve to achieve their demands.
The ongoing agitation also serves as a reminder of the farmers’ unity and their fight for their rights. With Dallewal’s hunger strike symbolizing the gravity of their struggle, the coming days will determine whether the central government will take concrete steps to address their concerns.
The Mahapanchayat aims to send a clear message to the government: the farmers are determined to secure justice, no matter the obstacles.
