After 54 days of an indefinite fast demanding a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal agreed to receive medical aid late on Saturday. The decision followed an announcement by the Centre to hold a meeting with protesting farmers on February 14 in Chandigarh to discuss their demands.
Dallewal, however, clarified through farmer leader Sukhjit Singh Hardojhande that he would not end his fast until the government agrees to provide a legal guarantee on MSP during the upcoming discussions.
Centre Sends High-Level Delegation
A delegation led by Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan from the Union Agricultural Ministry visited the Khanauri protest site to meet Dallewal and representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), the bodies spearheading the 11-month-long agitation. The delegation urged Dallewal to take medical aid, emphasizing his participation in the February 14 talks at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh.
Farmer leaders present at the site, including Abhimanyu Kohar, highlighted Dallewal's deteriorating health, revealing that he had been unable to consume water and was vomiting. Doctors had earlier warned of potentially life-threatening consequences.
Solidarity Among Protesters
Before accepting medical assistance, Dallewal sought consent from 121 farmers who had joined him in a fast-unto-death. Earlier, 111 farmers and an additional 10 joined the protest in solidarity with Dallewal's demands. Pictures of Dallewal receiving intravenous medical aid were later released, signaling a temporary reprieve in the situation.
Previous Efforts and Upcoming Talks
The February 14 meeting marks a critical step, following four inconclusive rounds of talks between the Centre and farmers in February last year. Farmer leader Kohar indicated that the meeting date was set after considering the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections and the Model Code of Conduct, which will remain in effect until February 9.
The farmers have been protesting at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points between Punjab and Haryana, awaiting concrete resolutions to their demands. With the Centre's proposal for dialogue, hopes are high for a breakthrough in the longstanding deadlock. Farmer leaders have appealed for continued vigilance and cooperation to ensure the success of the upcoming talks.