New Delhi: Senior farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dalewal was forcibly taken away by the police from Khanauri border on Tuesday, just before he was about to begin his indefinite hunger strike.
Dalewal, who had announced on Monday that he would fast until death to press for the legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, was reportedly admitted to DMC Hospital in Ludhiana by the police for a health checkup.
What KMM leader said
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a leader of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, spoke out against the police action, saying that Dalewal was going to start his fast, but Punjab, Haryana, and Central governments jointly carried out an operation to break his trolley and take him away.
Pandher expressed concerns over the government’s actions, saying that this demonstrated the government’s fear and that Dalewal should be released immediately. He also warned the government not to provoke the farmers, as their protest would continue regardless of these actions. Pandher called on people to join the farmers at the Khanauri border for today’s protest and announced that the march to Delhi, scheduled for December 6, would proceed as planned.
Dalewal’s detainment sparks outrage among farmers
Dalewal’s planned fast was part of a larger movement led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, who have been protesting for months, demanding various reforms for farmers. These demands include a legal guarantee for MSP, a farm loan waiver, pension schemes for farmers and farm laborers, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the previous farmers’ protests in 2020-21.
Farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was halted by security forces. Despite their prolonged protests, the farmers claim that the government has not held any discussions with them regarding their demands since February 18, and they feel their concerns are being ignored.
The farmers’ movement has gained considerable attention, with their demand for a legal guarantee on MSP being a central issue. Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the government’s actions would not intimidate them, and the farmers would continue their struggle until their demands are met.
