Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal Ends 133-Day Fast-unto-Death, Vows to Intensify Fight for MSP

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has officially ended his indefinite hunger strike on the 133rd day of protest. He made the announcement at a farmers' mahapanchayat (grand assembly) held in Sri Fatehgarh Sahib today.

"I personally was not in favour of ending the hunger strike," Dallewal said. "But over the past four days, I attended four mahapanchayats and received thousands of messages from farmers across the country and abroad urging me to call off the fast. Respecting the sentiments of the farming community, I am ending my fast today."

Just a day earlier, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had also tweeted a personal appeal requesting Dallewal to end his fast.

Despite his fragile health and ongoing battle with cancer, the 70-year-old farmer leader pledged to continue the struggle for farmers’ rights. "I take this vow that I will travel to every corner of the country to intensify the movement for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), and I will fight for the rights of farmers until my last breath," Dallewal declared.

Following his announcement, prayers were offered at the mahapanchayat for his speedy recovery so he can return to lead the movement with renewed strength. Dallewal then received sacred water and prasad from the head priest of Gurdwara Baba Zorawar Singh Ji - Baba Fateh Singh Ji.

The ongoing protest began on February 13, 2024, under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, demanding an MSP guarantee law along with 11 other key demands. In the early days of the protest, a young farmer, Shubhkaran Singh, lost his life after being shot in the head during a police crackdown in Haryana. Additionally, five farmers lost their eyesight and 434 were injured.

After February 18, 2024, the Centre did not engage in dialogue with the farmers for nine months. In response, Dallewal began his hunger strike on November 26. It was only after 54 days that the government extended an invitation for talks, leading to meetings on February 14, February 22, and March 19 this year. However, after the March 19 meeting, several farmers were arrested on their way back and sent to jail.

Since April 3, a new round of mahapanchayats has been ongoing in Punjab, with more gatherings planned in Haryana and Rajasthan in May. The movement continues to push forward with renewed determination.