Farmers End Fast-Unto-Death After Deteriorating Health of Leader Prompts Talks with Centre
A group of 121 farmers, who had launched a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri protest site in solidarity with their leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, concluded their indefinite strike on Sunday after Dallewal agreed to receive medical aid.
Dallewal, 70, began his fast-unto-death on November 26, refusing medical intervention as he pressed for farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). With his health worsening and the government initially unyielding, 111 farmers joined his protest on January 15, taking up a fast-unto-death at the Haryana border near Khanauri. On January 17, an additional 10 farmers from Haryana joined the movement, bringing the total to 121.
On Saturday, after a high-level delegation from the Union Agriculture Ministry led by Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan extended an invitation for talks on February 14 in Chandigarh, Dallewal agreed to accept medical assistance. Representatives from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha also attended the meeting with the central team.
Following the announcement of the talks, Dallewal received intravenous medical aid, marking a shift after nearly three months of steadfast refusal. His health had raised significant concerns, prompting fellow protestors to escalate their efforts by joining the fast.
On Sunday, the 121 farmers officially ended their fast by breaking it with juice in the presence of Deputy Inspector General of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu and Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh.
Despite ending the group fast, farmer leaders emphasized that Dallewal’s indefinite strike would continue until the government provides a legal guarantee for MSP on crops.
“We are hopeful for constructive discussions during the February 14 meeting,” said a representative of the protesting farmers. The protestors have reiterated their demand for legal backing to MSP as a critical safeguard for the farming community, stressing that the issue remains non-negotiable.
Dallewal’s protest, which has drawn significant attention and solidarity from farmers across the region, has underscored the persistent tension between the farming community and the central government over their long-standing demands. The scheduled talks are expected to serve as a crucial step toward resolving the ongoing impasse.
