Seventy-year-old farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 35 days, called on the youth of Punjab and Haryana to join him at the Khanauri border to “save” the farmers’ movement against the Centre’s actions. His appeal came on a day when farmers, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, blocked roads and railway tracks across Punjab as part of a state-wide shutdown. The shutdown was organized to push for the farmers’ demands, including legally guaranteed minimum support prices (MSPs), debt waivers, pension schemes, and a freeze on power tariff hikes.
Dallewal, who has been fasting since November 26 at the Khanauri border, emphasized that the movement is about the rights and betterment of farmers, urging the youth to take part in the “satyagraha” (non-violent protest). He vowed to sacrifice his life if the government continues to ignore the farmers’ democratic rights.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is set to hear a case on Tuesday regarding the Punjab government’s handling of Dallewal’s medical treatment. On Saturday, the court warned of strict action against Punjab’s chief secretary and director-general of police if their directions for Dallewal’s hospitalization were not followed. The court had also criticized the state for failing to act on medical advice, calling it “abetment to suicide.”
Dallewal’s health is being monitored by private doctors at the initiative of farm unions. Despite efforts by Punjab government officials to persuade him to seek medical treatment, Dallewal has refused, fearing it could lead to his removal from the protest site.
The farmers’ protest began on February 13 when security forces stopped them from marching to Delhi. The protestors are also demanding justice for the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri victims, who were killed by a car belonging to BJP Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son. The farmers had previously attempted to march to Delhi three times but were stopped by security forces.
On Monday, the “Rail Roko Andolan” caused massive disruptions, with 163 trains canceled and several others delayed or truncated. However, emergency services were exempted from the shutdown. The protests continue to highlight the farmers’ ongoing struggle for their demands and solidarity with Dallewal.
