Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 17 days, on Thursday sent a heartfelt and alarming letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 305th day of the ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo Andolan 2.0’. The letter, Dallewal referred to as his “first and last communication” to the Prime Minister, demanded the fulfillment of promises he made regarding the legal guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other critical farmer-related issues.
Dallewal’s message was direct and forceful, warning that in case of his death, the responsibility will lie with the Prime Minister Modi. The desperate tone reflected the gravity of his situation as his health continues to deteriorate under the effects of his prolonged fast.
The senior farmer leader’s health has become a significant concern, with reports from his medical team indicating severe physical deterioration. Doctors monitoring his condition, including specialists from the US, have warned that his kidney could fail at any time, and his liver is under stress due to the extended period without food. The medical bulletin also reported a loss of over 12 kilograms in weight, and the risk of a heart attack is looming. Despite these grave warnings, Dallewal remained steadfast in his resolve, emphasizing the dire need for the government to honour its promises to the farmers.
In his letter, Dallewal, who leads the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political), reflected on the broken promises from the BJP-led Central Governments. He recalled how, in 2011, Narendra Modi, while serving as Gujarat Chief Minister, advocated for the MSP to be legally guaranteed, but since then, no concrete steps have been taken. Dallewal also recalled promises made in 2014 and 2018 regarding the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations on crop pricing, which remain unfulfilled despite the assurance of immediate implementation. These unkept promises have led to a deep sense of betrayal and frustration among the farmers, which has now reached a critical point, he added.
Dallewal’s open letter followed a series of protests that began on February 13, when farmers, under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and SKM (non-political), initiated their ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement. After being blocked from entering Delhi by security forces at Haryana borders, Punjab’s farmers have been encamped at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders for nearly a year now. Over the months, the farmers have repeatedly made it clear that their demands, which include a legal guarantee for MSP and the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's formula for crop pricing, are non-negotiable.
The government medical teams attempted to check Dallewal’s health on Thursday, but their access was initially blocked by the farmers. This was followed by a series of consultations with US-based oncologists and cardiologists, who have been closely monitoring his health since the onset of the fast. Punjab Government also sent a medical team to assess Dallewal’s condition. Despite these efforts, his health continues to worsen.
In addition to Dallewal’s personal health crisis, there is growing concern about the Government's approach to the protests. Farmers have accused the Central Government of failing to engage meaningfully with their concerns, despite multiple appeals and protests. The KMM and SKM leaders have now issued a stark warning — If anything happens to Dallewal, the Central Government will be held responsible for any loss, particularly if force is used to disperse the protests.
Amidst the growing tensions, farmer leaders have ramped up their support for Dallewal by increasing his security. A video message was released late on December 11 evening, warning of potential government attempts to detain Dallewal and suppress the protests. In response, the farmers are taking extra precautions to ensure his safety.
The letter sent by Dallewal is a culmination of months of frustration, determination, and sacrifice. The ongoing protest has now entered a crucial phase, with farmers announcing plans to send the third jatha (group) of protesters to Delhi as part of the Dilli Chalo march.
