In a show of solidarity with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, 111 farmers began a fast-unto-death on Wednesday, intensifying their ongoing protest. Dallewal (70) has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26, 2024, demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) for crops. The farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 2023 after their march to Delhi was stopped. Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar criticized the Centre for ignoring their demands, saying, “Dallewal’s fast has entered day 51, but the government remains silent, neither initiating talks nor fulfilling our demands.”
Doctors monitoring Dallewal’s health have expressed alarm, stating that his body is no longer accepting water and his condition is critical. His ketone levels are dangerously high, and muscle mass has significantly decreased. Medical teams and ambulances have been stationed at the protest site, with a makeshift hospital set up nearby. Despite these efforts, the farmers claim Dallewal refuses medical intervention, worsening his health. “Farmers are emotional and have decided to follow Dallewal by starting their own indefinite fast,” Kohar said.
Punjab Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian recently urged Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to intervene and hold talks to resolve the crisis. However, Chouhan stated that the government would act based on Supreme Court directives. Meanwhile, leaders from Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other farmer organizations met on Monday to discuss a united fight for their demands, including MSP guarantees. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for January 18 to plan the next steps.
