The farmers’ movement, which has been intensifying over the past year, has reached a critical juncture with the announcement of the sixth round of talks between the protesting farmer forums and the Central Government on February 22 (Saturday) while the octogenarian farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike reaching its 87th day.
Even as his health deteriorates with doctors struggling, Dallewal has made a passionate call for unity among all farmer organizations, emphasizing that only collective strength can ensure victory in their struggle for justice. Adding intensity to the ongoing struggle a day ahead of the talks with Centre, the farmers will on Friday observe the first death anniversary of Bathinda-based young farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who was killed in police firing during last year’s protests.
With emotions running high and pressure mounting on the government, all eyes are now on the upcoming negotiations, where the farmers’ demand for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) is expected to take center stage. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has formally invited the two leading farmer organizations — Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) — for the February 22 meeting at 6 pm at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) in Chandigarh.
While the Centre had previously sent a delegation led by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi for talks, it is expected that the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will lead the discussions this time. The Saturday meeting follows the previous discussion held on February 14, in which Dallewal also participated with other key leaders of the two protesting forums.
Farmer groups KMM and SKM Non-Political have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, maintaining pressure on the government for their demands.
Meanwhile, despite his frail health, Dallewal has reiterated his commitment to the cause and urged all farmer organizations to unite in their struggle for justice and legal guarantees on the MSP.
On Thursday, Dallewal released a seven-minute-long message emphasizing the importance of unity and determination in the farmers’ movement. He highlighted the upcoming martyrdom anniversary of farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who was killed in police firing on February 21, 2024. To honour his sacrifice, tribute meetings are scheduled across the country, including a significant ceremony in his native village Ballo in Bathinda, where a statue of Shubhkaran will be unveiled.
Dallewal’s message stressed that the fight has now reached a decisive stage, and victory is only possible through collective unity and resilience.
In his message, Dallewal put forward five key points, reinforcing the movement’s objectives and the need for continued resistance. Dallewal stated that tribute meetings for Shubhkaran will be held across India with his native village set to witness a major event where a statue, erected in his honour, will be unveiled.
Dallewal questioned why a democracy, that prides itself on being the largest in the world, allows its citizens to be silenced with bullets instead of dialogue. He criticized the government for failing to hold anyone accountable for Shubhkaran’s death, stating that instead of delivering justice, officials involved were being rewarded.
Emphasizing that farmers are beyond religious identities, Dallewal said that farmers from all faiths — Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians — have come together in this movement. He expressed gratitude to all religious communities for supporting the movement by sending sacred water from holy places such as the Ganges, the Golden Temple, and Mecca. He pledged to accept these waters in solidarity.
Dallewal also recalled that during the previous farmers’ agitation, unity among organizations across Punjab and India played a crucial role in achieving their goals. “The current struggle, which has put the MSP demand on the national and international stage, can only be won through similar collective efforts,†he stressed, while inviting all intellectuals and organizations to share their suggestions to strengthen the movement as the government engages in talks.
The senior farmer leader also talked about an all-organization unity meeting, scheduled in Chandigarh on February 27. Dallewal urged all concerned individuals and groups to participate and contribute to the next phase of the struggle.
Ahead of the meeting with the Centre, farmer leaders have decided to collect public opinions on MSP. People can submit their suggestions by visiting the protest sites at Khanauri, Shambhu, or Ratanpura or by sending emails. The move aimed at bringing a collective voice to the negotiations, ensuring that the demands represent the broader farming community’s interests.
