India
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has intensified his fight for farmers’ rights, urging supporters to attend a large-scale ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ in Khanauri on Saturday. In a video message released on Friday, Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 39 days, appealed to farmers to join the protest in massive numbers to advocate for a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
The Kisan Mahapanchayat, planned at the Punjab-Haryana border, is seen as a crucial step in the ongoing agitation against the BJP-led central government. The farmers have listed 13 key demands, including a law ensuring MSP.
Despite his deteriorating health, the 70-year-old Dallewal has refused all medical intervention and expressed his determination to continue the hunger strike. “I urge everyone supporting the cause to come and strengthen our movement. Your presence will give me strength,” he said in the video, adding that he would deliver a short message during the Mahapanchayat.
Tight Security Measures
Anticipating the large gathering, the district administration has imposed Section 163 at the Khanauri border. The provision prohibits assemblies of five or more individuals, including protests. However, farmer leaders remain undeterred, with Abhimanyu Khar, a key figure in the movement, confirming Dallewal’s planned address during the event.
Farmers have been protesting under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha at Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 2024. They argue that their demands should be addressed directly by the central government, not through the courts.
Government’s Response
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently stated that the government would abide by the Supreme Court’s directives concerning the protests. However, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher criticized this stance, urging the Modi government to engage directly with the protesters.
A Letter to PM Modi
Dallewal has also written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing his willingness to sacrifice his life for farmers’ welfare. “I hope my death will awaken the government to fulfill our demands,” he wrote, reinforcing the urgency of their plight.
The Kisan Mahapanchayat at Khanauri is expected to draw massive attention to the farmers’ demands and escalate pressure on the government for immediate action.
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