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Jagjit Singh Dallewal's ongoing hunger strike, now in its 42nd day, highlights a long and significant history of fast-unto-death protests in India. His case, while alarming in its duration and potential health consequences, underscores the potent political symbolism and impact these actions have held throughout the nation's history. While his current health status raises concerns, with doctors warning of potential organ damage even if he were to end his fast, Dallewal's protest adds to a narrative of sustained resistance and pressure on political systems.
The use of hunger strikes as a form of political protest has deep roots in India, most notably associated with Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha. Gandhi himself employed fasting numerous times as a powerful tool of non-violent resistance during the struggle for independence. His longest fast, lasting 21 days in 1943, demonstrated the potency of this method to galvanize public support and challenge authority. However, Dallewal's protest, while drawing on this legacy, also represents a continuation of this practice in contemporary India where social and political grievances continue to be addressed through similar methods, highlighting the enduring relevance of this form of protest.
The article details several significant fast-unto-death protests throughout Independent India, each with far-reaching consequences. Potti Sriramulu's 58-day fast secured the creation of Andhra Pradesh, while Darshan Singh Pheruman's 74-day fast impacted the formation of Punjab. Irom Sharmila's prolonged hunger strike against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, though ending without achieving her primary goal, sparked international condemnation of the force-feeding practices employed by authorities. These instances illustrate the diverse array of causes for which hunger strikes have been undertaken, ranging from statehood demands to human rights violations and land acquisition disputes. These events highlight the powerful influence these protests can exert on political decision-making.
The impact of these hunger strikes often transcended the immediate cause, triggering shifts in political landscapes. Mamata Banerjee's fast against land acquisition in West Bengal, though eventually resolved through negotiations, ultimately contributed to her rise to power. Similarly, K Chandrashekar Rao's fast for Telangana statehood led to the eventual creation of the state, establishing a precedent for similar movements. Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, centered on a hunger strike, propelled the Lokpal Bill's passage and also laid the groundwork for the Aam Aadmi Party. These examples demonstrate how seemingly isolated acts of protest can have cascading effects on national and regional politics, shaping political discourse and influencing policy decisions, demonstrating the enduring influence of fast-unto-death protests in the shaping of Indian politics.
The article also mentions several more recent examples, such as N Chandrababu Naidu's hunger strike concerning Andhra Pradesh's special status, Hardik Patel's protest for Patidar reservation, the farmers' relay hunger strike against farm laws, and Manoj Jarange-Patil's fast for Maratha reservations, all highlighting the continuous use of this form of protest in addressing contemporary social and political issues. The continued use of this dramatic and inherently risky form of protest underscores the limitations of other avenues of political engagement, emphasizing the persistence of grievances and the lack of perceived effective alternative channels for redress. The case of Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike for Ladakh's ecological protection and constitutional safeguards showcases the breadth of concerns addressed through hunger strikes, extending to environmental issues and regional autonomy.
The juxtaposition of these historical and recent examples provides a compelling narrative of how hunger strikes have functioned as a significant tool for political and social change in India. While the morality and efficacy of this extreme form of protest remain subjects of debate, its enduring presence in the Indian political landscape cannot be denied. The potential health risks, as evidenced by Dallewal's case, raise serious ethical questions regarding the methods used to enact change. The long-term impact of Dallewal's current fast, and whether it will lead to any concrete changes, remains to be seen, but it certainly contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the role and effectiveness of hunger strikes in modern India. The legacy of these protests, both successful and unsuccessful, continues to shape the political landscape and serves as a testament to the power of sustained and often perilous forms of civic action.
Source: In history of ‘fast-unto-deaths’ in India, Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s now among the longest