Farmers Protest 2.0 : Jagjit Singh Dallewal Health Declines Amid Hunger Strike
To amplify their protest and draw global attention, farmers have decided to launch a social media campaign on December 11, from 7 to 9 PM. Using Twitter, they aim to make their voices heard, urging the government to address their demands urgently.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike since November 26, 2023, is witnessing a steady decline in his health. According to BKE President Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh, Dallewal’s health is deteriorating, with significant weight loss and kidney issues reported during a health check-up on December 10. Despite the health challenges, Dallewal has reiterated his commitment to the cause, stating that even losing his life for farmers’ rights would be a privilege.
To amplify their protest and draw global attention, farmers have decided to launch a social media campaign on December 11, from 7 to 9 PM. Using Twitter, they aim to make their voices heard, urging the government to address their demands urgently.
Farmers Plan Unified Actions Across the Nation
The BKE President, during a press conference on December 11, shared a series of upcoming activities aimed at strengthening the movement:
- Religious Observance: On December 11, farmers and laborers will visit their respective religious places to offer prayers. Videos of these prayers will be shared in farmer groups as a gesture of solidarity.
- Food Strike: On December 12, farmers and their families will observe a no-cooking day as a mark of protest.
- Continued Sit-ins: Farmers continue their sit-ins at Shambu, Khanauri, and Ratanpur borders to press their demands, including loan waivers, increased MGNREGA wages, and implementation of MSP on all crops.
Hunger Strike Pushes Farmers’ Demands
Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike is the centerpiece of this intensified movement. The farmer leader’s unwavering determination was evident in his speech, where he declared he would not back down, even if it cost him his life. His health, however, has become a significant concern, with reports of an 11-kg weight loss and adverse effects on his kidneys.
A Struggle Met with Resistance
Farmers have expressed frustration over the government’s response. While committees were formed to address their demands, protests faced heavy-handed measures, including tear gas and water cannons, when farmers attempted a peaceful march to Delhi. This resistance has fueled their determination to continue the protest.
Punjab Government’s Silence Questioned
Farmer leaders have criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his silence on the issue. They have called on him to take a proactive role in mediating between the farmers and the central government.
Political Support Welcomed
Despite being a non-political organization, the BKE has appreciated gestures from political leaders like INLD’s Abhay Singh Chautala, who resigned from his MLA post in support of farmers’ rights. Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh emphasized that the organization would welcome anyone supporting their cause, provided they do not politicize the platform.
Farmers’ Key Demands
The farmers’ movement revolves around several critical demands:
- Complete loan waivers for farmers.
- Increased wages under MGNREGA.
- Guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops.
- Fair treatment and recognition for farmers’ efforts.
Farmers Call for Unity
As the protest intensifies, the farmers are urging the public to join their cause, emphasizing that their struggle is not just for farmers but for the backbone of the nation. Aulakh’s closing words were a call for solidarity: “Our movement is for justice, and every Indian must stand united with us.”
