New Delhi: Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent leader among farmers, concluded his indefinite hunger strike on Sunday after 131 days. He made it clear that although he has ended his fast, the farmers’ protest will continue. Dallewal initiated the hunger strike on November 26 of the previous year, advocating for a legal assurance on minimum support prices (MSP) for crops and addressing other concerns raised by the protesting farmers.
This decision was revealed during a farmers’ assembly at a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Sirhind, located in the Fatehgarh Sahib district. In his address to the gathering, Dallewal stated, “You have all urged me to conclude my fast unto death. I am grateful for your support in sustaining the agitation. I honor your feelings and accept your request.”
He further noted, “Numerous farmers and leaders from the morcha have asked me to end the indefinite hunger strike. Today, after reaching an agreement with them, I have decided to conclude my fast. However, the protest remains active and has not been called off.”
This announcement came after appeals from Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Shivraj Singh Chouhan who encouraged Dallewal to end his fast on Saturday.
Chouhan expressed on X, “The ongoing discussions between the Government of India representatives and the farmers’ organizations regarding their demands are still in progress. Farmer leader Shri Jagjit Singh Dallewal has now returned from the hospital, and we wish him a swift recovery. We also urge him to conclude his hunger strike, and we will meet with the representatives of the farmers’ organizations for discussions at 11 am on May 4, as previously scheduled.”
Bittu also reached out to Dallewal, stating, “Your health is paramount, and your life is invaluable to the people of Punjab, as your leadership will always be essential for the farmers and agricultural laborers’ struggle.”
Dallewal, representing a coalition of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), began his fast to compel the central government to acknowledge critical demands, including the establishment of an MSP law.
In January, following the initiation of discussions between the Centre and farmer leaders, Dallewal began receiving medical attention at the Khanauri protest site. Nevertheless, he opted to continue his fast at that moment.
The government has announced that it will reconvene with farmer representatives on May 4.
