Farm Leader Dallewal Ends Indefinite Hunger Strike

Punjab farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ended the ‘indefinite hunger strike’ amidst a stand-off between the farmers and the Centre that has lasted for over four months now. The strike was launched to press a series of demands in support of the state farmers, which mainly included a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for a larger number of crops.

Dallewal, who is the convenor of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) organisation, started the strike on November 26 last year. 

Ending Strike

“Personally, I was not in favour of having the hunger strike, but since April 3, I have attended 4 Kisan Mahapanchayats and received messages from thousands of farmers from across the country and abroad. All have expressed their sentiments, urging me to end the fast. Respecting the sentiments of the farmer community, I am concluding my indefinite hunger strike today,” said Dallewal. The decision was taken at a Kisan Maha Panchayat organised by Bharathi Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhupura at the Sirhind grain market. 

“However, I pledge to travel across the country and intensify the movement for an MSP guarantee law. Until my last breath, I will continue fighting for the rights of farmers,” he added.

Dallewal’s decision to end the strike came a day after the Union agricultural minister, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, issued the latest appeal to end the strike.