As farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal entered the 20th day of his hunger strike at the Khanauri border, Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) director Mayank Mishra and Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav visited him on Sunday to address his demands and appeal for an end to his indefinite fast. Dallewal, president of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), remained resolute in his protest, which he has described as “a fight for the survival and dignity of India’s farmers”.
The visit by high-ranking officials came in the wake of the Supreme Court’s directive to both state and central governments to provide medical assistance to Dallewal while respecting his protest. The Apex Court had emphasized that while his life is of paramount importance, his right to protest peacefully must also be upheld.
Accompanied by Punjab police chief Gaurav Yadav, MHA director Mayank Mishra met with Dallewal to understand his demands and to persuade him to end his hunger strike.
Mishra, speaking to reporters after the meeting, explained that he was there as per the Supreme Court’s instructions to facilitate dialogue and gather a comprehensive understanding of the farmers’ grievances. However, he clarified that he had not presented any proposals from the Central Government, regarding any meeting or otherwise, during this interaction.
DGP Yadav expressed concern over Dallewal’s deteriorating health and lauded the peaceful nature of the protest, which he described as being widely appreciated. “The government recognizes the legitimacy of the farmers’ demands,” said DGP Yadav, adding that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is actively coordinating with the Central Government to find a resolution. “The Chief Minister has opened communication channels with the Central Government to resume talks with the protesting farmers,” he said.
Medical facilities, including a well-equipped ambulance, have been stationed at the protest site to ensure immediate assistance if Dallewal’s health takes a critical turn. DGP Yadav reiterated that officials are maintaining continuous communication with the protesting farmers to foster an environment conducive to dialogue.
Dallewal’s hunger strike, part of a larger farmer agitation organized under banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), has drawn significant attention. Farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, between Punjab and Haryana, since February after security forces halted their march to Delhi. Their demands include a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, among other issues critical to the farming community.
A 70-year-old cancer survivor, Dallewal has vowed to continue his hunger strike, stating that the lives of farmers who are driven to despair by government policies are more valuable than his own. Despite his critical health condition, including significant weight loss and the risk of multi-organ damage, Dallewal has refused medical treatment, showcasing his determination to push the government into action.
The ongoing protest has garnered attention at the highest levels of governance. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP national president JP Nadda, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss the situation. Sources suggested that the Government is considering significant announcements regarding the farmers’ demands, although no official confirmation has been made.
With the Prime Minister reportedly taking an active interest in the matter, the farmers’ community expressed hope for a breakthrough. However, Dallewal’s steadfast refusal to end his hunger strike underscored the urgency of addressing their concerns comprehensively.
Dallewal’s prolonged hunger strike has taken a severe toll on his health. Reports indicated that he has lost over 12 kilograms, with doctors warning of potential kidney and liver damage. Being a cancer patient further exacerbates the risks, and medical experts cautioned that he could suffer a heart attack at any time.
In light of these concerns, the Supreme Court had earlier directed authorities not to force-feed Dallewal but to ensure that all necessary medical assistance is available.
The farmers’ agitation, known as ‘Delhi Chalo Andolan 2.0’, continued to intensify as protests persist at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February. Despite multiple attempts to march to Delhi, Haryana’s security forces have repeatedly intercepted them, escalating tensions.
Adding momentum to the movement, KMM coordinator and senior farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher had announced a statewide ‘Rail Roko’ in Punjab on December 18 (Wednesday) from 12 noon to 3 pm’ and a ‘Tractor March’ on December 16 (Monday). The protests grew fiercer on Saturday after a jatha (group) of 101 farmers faced violent resistance at the Shambhu border, with some members injured and hospitalized.
Earlier, similar attempts on December 6 and 8 were thwarted by Haryana police using tear gas and water cannons, leaving 22 farmers injured. In a bid to curb further mobilization, the Haryana Government had also suspended internet services in Ambala district, enforcing the blackout from December 16 to December 17.
Call for Unity in Struggle for Common Cause; Pandher Writes to SKM
In a fervent appeal to foster solidarity among the agricultural community, senior farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, leading the Delhi Chalo Andolan 2.0 along with Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, on Sunday urged the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) to join hands with those protesting at Punjab-Haryana border points over demands including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Pandher, who leads the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), emphasized the importance of setting aside differences to mount a united front in the ongoing agitation.
The SKM, a pan-India body which gained prominence during the year-long farmers’ protest in 2020 against the now-repealed farm laws, was till date not joined the current ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, spearheaded by the KMM and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political); though some of its leaders had met Dallewal to express their solidarity.
Pandher however, expressed optimism revealing that he had written a letter to the SKM leadership, seeking their collaboration for a collective struggle. “We have extended our hands to those brothers who could not participate earlier. We hope for a positive response,” he said at the Shambhu border on Sunday.
Amid the growing demand for unity, prominent SKM leaders, including Dr Darshan Pal, have announced plans to meet the Punjab Governor on Monday to press for intervention. Dr Pal underscored the alignment of demands between SKM and protesting unions, despite differences in approach. “Dallewalji’s life is paramount,” he said, referring to Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike since November 26 at the Khanauri border. “The Governor must coordinate with the Centre to initiate dialogue," Dr Pal added.
The agitation has drawn widespread support from political leaders, athletes, and activists. Congress Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, former MLAs Pargat Singh and Kushaldeep Singh Kiki Dhillon, and Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat are among those who visited Dallewal, lauding his selfless commitment.
Punjab Congress’s senior leader and the Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa described Dallewal’s resolve as symbolic of the farmers’ strength, urging the party workers to stand in solidarity with the ongoing struggle.
The demands of the protesting farmers extend beyond MSP guarantees. These include debt waivers, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri accident. Farmers are also seeking reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of those who lost their lives during the 2020-21 protests.
In response to recent police action, Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan announced a ‘dharna’ outside district headquarters on December 23. He condemned the government’s use of force, arguing that the absence of immediate elections had emboldened authorities to disregard public sentiment.
Highlighting the need for nationwide participation, Haryana farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni echoed the call for unity. Visiting Dallewal at the Khanauri border, Chaduni stressed that the movement’s success hinges on collective action from farmer organizations across the country.
