Dallewal accepts medical aid, 121 farmers end fast,  firm on MSP guarantee law

Hours after the union government agreed to resume the talks with the farmers and scheduled the first meeting on February 14 at Chandigarh, 70-year-old farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal accepted medical aid but announced to continue his hunger strike until their demands are accepted. Following his decision, 121 farmers who were fasting in solidarity with him ended their hunger strike on Sunday.  Dallewal began his fast-unto-death on November 26, last year demanding a law guaranteeing MSP (Minimum Support Price).  As his health deteriorated and the government showed no response, 111 farmers joined the fast on January 15. On January 17, 10 more farmers from Haryana also joined the protest.

On Saturday night, a team of eight senior doctors began providing medical assistance to Dallewal. This step came after the government proposed talks in Chandigarh on February 14. Farmers clarified that while Dallewal will continue his fast until the MSP Guarantee Law is passed, he will not consume food.  There are reports that the farmer leaders have also decided to withraw the decision to launch Delhi March on January 21, by sending a group of 101 farmers from Shambhu border as the next decision will only be taken after the Feburary 14 meeting.

On Saturday, a high-level central delegation led by Union Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan met with Dallewal and representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political). The government invited them for discussions on February 14 regarding their demands.   Farmers also demanded the withdrawal of false cases registered against them by Haryana Police. They pointed out that during the February 23, 2024 protest in Kheri Chopata, Hisar, the administration had promised to withdraw cases, but farmers have recently started receiving notices again.  However, the government did not make any official announcement regarding the pending demands of the farmer but now all eyes are set on the February 14 meeting and this meeting to decide the fate of the ongoing agitation which started on February 13.

 

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has hailed the Union Government’s decision to hold discussions with farmers’ organizations as a significant victory for the farmers’ movement. The SKM also welcomed fasting farmer leader Sardar Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s decision to accept medical aid, wishing him a speedy recovery.  SKM leaders attributed this development to the growing unity among farmers and nationwide protests against the government’s policies. They congratulated farmers for staying united and demanded the government fulfill its written promises made on December 9, 2021, which led to the suspension of the historic Delhi protest.The SKM reiterated its commitment to resisting the government’s alleged attempts to impose anti-farmer policies through the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM). The organization labeled the framework as a strategy to hand over control of agriculture and food security to corporate interests, similar to the repealed farm laws.  In light of the positive updates on Sardar Dallewal’s health, the SKM announced a change in its planned protest on January 20. Instead of demonstrations outside MPs’ residences and offices, farmers will now email memorandums to the Prime Minister through their respective MPs.

The SKM urged farmers nationwide to focus on ensuring the success of the All-India Tractor Rally on January 26-to mark the anniversary of 2020-21 farmers agitation. This rally is intended as a strong message to the government to roll back policies that undermine farmers’ interests.  The SKM’s general body will convene on January 24 in Delhi to decide future strategies and action plans. The organization warned the government to stop its anti-farmer policies, emphasizing that farmers remain united and committed to continuing peaceful protests until their demands are met.