Dallewal appeals to all farmer leaders, fighting for legal MSP, to reach protest site on January 4
As farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 39th day Friday, with little hope of resumption of a dialogue, he issued an appeal to people who support the cause of legal MSP to turn up on Saturday at the protest site. This was seen as an attempt by the leader to increase the support and re-start 2020 farmer movement with unity, experts said.
In a video message in Hindi, Dallewal said: “You know that a fight is going on to secure legal MSP, and in this fight those who are part of the struggle and those who want to see the movement gets more stronger, I appeal them with folded hands that I want to see you on January 4 at the Khanauri border (protest site).”
Farmers, under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, 2024, after their march to Delhi was stopped by Haryana government. Attempts to proceed to Delhi through ‘walk’ in small batches were also foiled.
Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26, 2024, to press the Centre to accept the farmers’ demands, including the legal guarantee of minimum support price for crops. Farmer leaders last year had rejected an offer of five-year guaranteed (without legal sanctity) procurement of certain pulses and oilseeds at MSP.
The parliamentary panel on agriculture favouring legal guarantee of MSP has said: “Implementing a legally binding MSP in India is essential not only for safeguarding farmers livelihoods but also for promoting rural economic growth and enhancing national food security. The benefits and advantages of the implementation of MSP as a legal guarantee far outweigh its challenges. This would stimulate economic activity in these areas, benefiting local businesses and economies.”
The Supreme Court has also been hearing the matter but yet to pass any order which normally falls under the domain of the Centre. The government is also not ready to re-start the talks by taking an excuse of the court proceeding.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on January 1, said, that the government would abide by the Supreme Court’s decision and take steps accordingly.
When asked about holding a dialogue with the protesting farmers to end the logjam, the minister said, “Supreme Court jaise nirnay de raha hai, uske hisab se karyavahi hogi (The action will be taken as per the direction of the Supreme Court). He also said that he has been meeting various farm bodies every Tuesday and discussing their concerns.
Asked about the ongoing farmer agitation in Punjab, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on January 1 said: “If you would have moved around during Haryana elections, farmers gave great feedback on ‘Andolan’ versus real welfare which is ‘good to farmers’, you would have yourself seen.”
The Supreme Court had earlier asked Punjab government to move Dallewal, 70, to the makeshift hospital set up within 700 metres of the protest site at Khanauri border.