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Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent Punjab farm leader and convenor of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), has ended his indefinite hunger strike after a tense standoff lasting over four months. The strike was launched to advocate for a series of demands in support of the state's farmers, most notably a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Dallewal announced his decision at a Kisan Mahapanchayat organized by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhupur at the Sirhind grain market. He cited the overwhelming sentiments expressed by thousands of farmers from across the country and abroad, who urged him to conclude his fast. While personally hesitant to end the strike, Dallewal stated that he respected the wishes of the farmer community. He pledged to continue his fight for the rights of farmers, vowing to travel across the country and intensify the movement for an MSP guarantee law until his last breath. Following the announcement, a prayer (ardas) was offered at the Mahapanchayat for Dallewal's recovery. He received holy water and prasad from the head granthi of Gurudwara Baba Zorawar Singh Ji – Baba Fateh Singh Ji of Sirhind. Dallewal was then admitted to a Ludhiana hospital for medical consultation and will be introduced to solids under the guidance of doctors, given that he had not consumed any solids for 132 days. Amrik Singh, a close associate of Dallewal, emphasized the importance of consulting doctors before resuming food intake.
The decision to end the hunger strike came a day after Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan issued the latest in a series of appeals by Union Ministers urging Dallewal to end his fast. Chouhan stated on X that the government would meet with representatives of farmer organizations for discussions on the pre-scheduled date of May 4 at 11 am. Union Minister of State (MoS) Ravneet Singh Bittoo also issued a similar appeal, emphasizing the importance of Dallewal's health for leading the farmers' movement. Bittoo described Dallewal as a respected leader and expressed high regard for him. Dallewal's hunger strike began on November 26, 2024, to press for 12 demands, with a legal guarantee of MSP being the most significant. Other demands included pensions for farmers and farm laborers after the age of 60, withdrawal of cases filed during previous agitations, justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, a memorial for farmers who died during the agitation against the new farm laws, and compensation and jobs for their kin. Dallewal initially availed medical assistance from January 18, 2025, after being invited for a meeting with Union Ministers on February 14. However, on March 19, Dallewal and other farmers were arrested by the Punjab police during a crackdown after a meeting with Union Ministers in Chandigarh.
According to an associate, Dallewal stopped taking medical assistance and consuming water from the evening of March 19 until the early morning of March 29, only resuming water consumption after all the farmers were released from police custody. This decision was praised by the Supreme Court, which referred to Dallewal as a "genuine leader without a political agenda." On April 3, Dallewal was discharged from a Patiala hospital and has been addressing Kisan Mahapanchayats in various districts of Punjab. The significance of Dallewal's hunger strike lies in its focus on securing a legal guarantee of MSP for crops. MSP is a form of market intervention by the government to ensure price support to farmers. It is essentially a minimum price set by the government for certain crops, below which prices are not allowed to fall. A legal guarantee would make it mandatory for the government to procure crops at the MSP, providing farmers with a safety net and ensuring a stable income. The demand for a legal guarantee of MSP has been a central issue in farmer protests in India, reflecting concerns about fluctuating market prices and the vulnerability of farmers to exploitation. While the government has announced MSP for various crops, it is not legally binding, and farmers often face challenges in selling their produce at the announced prices.
The broader context of Dallewal's hunger strike and the farmer protests is the ongoing debate surrounding agricultural policies in India. Farmers have been demanding reforms to address issues such as low incomes, indebtedness, and lack of access to irrigation and other essential resources. The government has implemented various schemes and policies to support farmers, but many farmers argue that these measures are insufficient to address their long-standing grievances. The farmer protests have also highlighted the political dimensions of agricultural policy, with farmers expressing concerns about the impact of government decisions on their livelihoods. The ending of Dallewal's hunger strike represents a significant development in the farmer movement, signaling a potential shift in strategy. While Dallewal has ended his fast, he has vowed to continue his fight for the rights of farmers and to intensify the movement for an MSP guarantee law. The upcoming meeting between government representatives and farmer organizations on May 4 will be a crucial opportunity to address the key demands of the farmers and to find a path forward. The success of these discussions will depend on the willingness of both sides to engage in constructive dialogue and to find mutually acceptable solutions. The farmers' movement has demonstrated the importance of addressing the needs and concerns of the agricultural sector in India. Agriculture is a vital sector of the Indian economy, employing a significant portion of the population and contributing substantially to the country's GDP. Ensuring the well-being and prosperity of farmers is essential for the overall economic and social development of India.
Moving forward, several key steps can be taken to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector and to promote the welfare of farmers. First, there is a need to strengthen the MSP system and to ensure that farmers can access the announced prices for their crops. This may involve measures such as increasing government procurement, improving infrastructure for storage and transportation, and providing farmers with access to information about market prices. Second, it is important to invest in agricultural research and development to improve crop yields and to develop new technologies that can help farmers to increase their productivity. This can involve supporting research institutions, promoting innovation in agricultural practices, and providing farmers with access to training and extension services. Third, there is a need to address the issue of indebtedness among farmers. This may involve measures such as providing farmers with access to affordable credit, promoting financial literacy, and implementing debt relief programs. Fourth, it is important to improve irrigation infrastructure and to ensure that farmers have access to water for irrigation. This can involve investing in new irrigation projects, promoting water conservation practices, and providing farmers with access to water resources. Finally, it is essential to promote diversification in the agricultural sector and to encourage farmers to adopt new crops and farming practices. This can involve providing farmers with access to information about new market opportunities, supporting the development of value-added agricultural products, and promoting sustainable farming practices. In conclusion, Jagjit Singh Dallewal's decision to end his hunger strike marks a crucial moment in the ongoing farmer movement in India. His commitment to continuing the fight for farmers' rights and the upcoming meeting between government representatives and farmer organizations offer a potential pathway toward addressing the long-standing grievances of the agricultural community. The future of Indian agriculture depends on the ability of policymakers and stakeholders to work together to create a sustainable and prosperous future for farmers.
Source: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ends indefinite fast at Kisan Mahapanchayat