Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike, now in its 30th consecutive day, has captured the attention of the nation, becoming a symbol of steadfast determination and resilience in the fight for farmers’ rights. Seventy-year-old Dallewal, a prominent advocate for agricultural reforms, is demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. His health has sharply declined over the past month as he survives solely on water. Despite his frailty, Dallewal has refused to yield, asserting that the government must act decisively or witness his ultimate sacrifice.
This relentless protest has drawn a stream of political leaders and activists to the Khanauri border in Sangrur. Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Punjab unit president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, along with his Cabinet colleagues Dr Balbir Singh, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Taranpreet Singh, Barinder Goyal, and AAP state working president and MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi; besides Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjit Singh Aujla visiting Dallewal to express solidarity and press the BJP-led Central Government to address the farmers’ demands. Punjab Police’s special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla also met the farmer leader.
However, amidst the growing support including that from Uttar Pradesh’s Khap Panchayat, cracks within the farmer unions are becoming evident as major coalitions, including the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), maintain a cautious distance from the movement. Adding to the urgency, plans for a Punjab-wide bandh on December 30 are gaining momentum, with a pivotal meeting scheduled to finalize strategies.
In a dramatic and alarming development, a medical team en route to monitor Dallewal’s health narrowly escaped serious injury in a road accident on Wednesday. The team, from Patiala’s Rajindra Hospital, was involved in a head-on collision near Jauramajra village when a reckless Scorpio driver swerved into their lane to overtake a bus. The crash resulted in only minor injuries, and the injured are undergoing treatment at Rajindra Hospital.
A dashboard camera of another vehicle captured the Scorpio driver’s dangerous maneuver, overtaking a bus and colliding with two oncoming vehicles, including that of the medical team.
Dallewal’s extended hunger strike has taken a severe toll on his body. His weight has plummeted, his immunity has weakened, and doctors are increasingly alarmed about the risk of infections. To safeguard his health, organizers have placed him in a glass-enclosed stage to minimize exposure. Despite these measures, Dallewal’s determination remains unshaken. In a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he wrote, “Enact the MSP guarantee law or prepare for my martyrdom.”
This plea has resonated with political leaders across Punjab. Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, after meeting Dallewal, lamented the Central Government’s indifference, saying, “The sacrifice of a leader like Dallewal cannot be ignored. This is a call for justice, not just for farmers but for Punjab’s future.” Similarly, AAP’s Aman Arora expressed his support and urged the government to take immediate action to prevent a tragedy.
As Dallewal’s protest garners widespread grassroots support, including endorsements from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh’s khap panchayats, divisions within the farmer movement are becoming more pronounced. The SKM, a leading coalition of farmer organizations, has refrained from backing Dallewal’s hunger strike, citing strategic disagreements. Some leaders within SKM view Dallewal’s actions as an “independent initiative” that risks fragmenting the collective strength of the movement.
The discord has historical roots, with tensions dating back to the 2020 farmer protests. Critics within the SKM have accused Dallewal’s faction of sidelining others to consolidate their base.
Meeting to discuss Dec 30 Punjab Bandh today
Preparations for the December 30 Punjab bandh are proceeding with urgency. A crucial meeting at the Khanauri border on Thursday will bring together leaders from trade unions, taxi associations, and religious and social groups to finalize strategies. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has emphasized the importance of the bandh, calling for widespread participation from businesses, employees, and the general public. Scheduled to last from 7 am to 4 pm, the bandh aims to showcase the collective power and resolve of Punjab’s farming community.
However, the SKM’s reluctance to endorse the bandh reflected ongoing divisions within the movement. This lack of unity poses a significant challenge as organizers strive to present a united front.
Dallewal’s hunger strike has become a defining moment in the struggle for farmers’ rights, symbolizing both the strength and vulnerabilities of the movement. His call for unity among farmer unions is a poignant reminder of the stakes involved. With the December 30 bandh approaching and the Supreme Court set to hear a related case on January 2, the coming days are critical.
