After 55 grueling days of hunger strike at the Khanauri border, Jagjit Singh Dallewal – a 70-year-old farmer leader and president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) – finally received medical assistance. The decision came after the Central Government announced a high-level meeting with the farmer representatives on February 14 in Chandigarh, aimed at addressing their demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Dallewal, who made it clear that he would not end his fast until the Centre agrees to a legal guarantee for MSP for all crops, was administered glucose and other necessary components via drip from January 19 midnight.

Earlier, a delegation of officials from the Centre, led by Union Agriculture Ministry’s joint secretary Priya Ranjan, held meetings with Dallewal and representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), who had been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border (Shambhu and Khanauri, district Patiala) since February 13, 2024.

Subsequently, a letter was handed over, which extended an invite to SKM (non-political) and KMM and Dallewal for a meeting at 5 pm on February 14 at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26, Chandigarh, to continue the talks which had been held last on February 15, 2024. The letter also urged Dallewal to end his hunger strike and participate in the talks.

The development assumed significance considering Dallewal’s deteriorating health raised serious concerns, with doctors warning of potentially fatal consequences. Dallewal’s hunger strike, which began on November 26, has been a symbol of the unyielding resolve of Indian farmers fighting for their rights.

The ongoing protest at the Khanauri border has garnered nationwide attention, with 121 farmers also joining Dallewal in a fast-unto-death to emphasize the urgency of their demands. On Sunday, these farmers broke their fast by sipping juice.

Dallewal’s Deteriorating Health Sparks Concern

Dallewal’s health had been a matter of grave concern as the hunger strike stretched into its 55^th day. Medical examinations revealed alarming health metrics — his weight had plummeted by 20 kilograms, dropping from 86.95 kg to 66.4 kg. Kidney and liver function tests showed deteriorating results, and doctors warned that continuing the hunger strike beyond February 14 could prove fatal.

Dr Swyaman Singh, a member of the medical team monitoring Dallewal, said: “The prolonged fasting has already taken a significant toll on his body. Immediate medical intervention was necessary to stabilize his condition temporarily…but there is dire need for solid food intake.”

Late Saturday night, after repeated appeals from fellow farmers and family members, Dallewal consented to intravenous treatment and glucose administration. However, he remained steadfast in his decision to continue the hunger strike until tangible progress is made on the farmers’ demands.

121 Farmers Break Fast

In a show of solidarity, 121 farmers joined Dallewal in the hunger strike at the Khanauri border. The group, which included 111 farmers from Punjab and 10 from Haryana, had been fasting since January 15 on the Haryana side of the border. On Sunday, they concluded their fast in the presence of senior officials, including Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Mandeep Singh Sidhu and Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh.

Farmer leaders Kaka Singh Kotda, Sukhjeet Singh Hardojande, and Baldev Singh Sirsa facilitated the event, urging the participants to conserve their energy for the upcoming negotiations. Addressing the gathering, Kaka Singh Kotda emphasized, “This is not the end of our struggle. We will continue to fight until our demands are met.”

Centre invites farmers to meeting on Feb 14

The turning point in the standoff came on Saturday when a delegation from the Union Agriculture Ministry, led by Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan, visited the protest site. After discussions with Dallewal and other farmer leaders, the delegation formally invited them to a meeting scheduled for February 14 in Chandigarh. The Central Government has proposed to address the farmers’ 12-point charter of demands, which includes a legal guarantee for MSP on all crops; implementation of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013; farm debts waiver; pensions for farmers and agricultural labourers; compensation for families affected by Lakhimpur Kheri violence; assurance against rising electricity tariffs, amongh others.

The meeting is seen as a crucial opportunity to resolve the ongoing stalemate. However, farmer leaders remain cautious, citing previous failed negotiations in February 2024, when the government’s proposal for a five-year MSP guarantee was rejected as insufficient.

Notably, the Supreme Court has also stepped in, expressing concern over Dallewal’s deteriorating health. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh had directed the Punjab Government to submit Dallewal’s medical records for evaluation by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The Court had questioned how Dallewal had managed to maintain relatively stable vitals despite nearly two months of fasting.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Punjab Government, had assured the Court that adequate medical facilities had been arranged near the protest site. He also noted that both State and Central Governments were actively engaging with the protesting farmers to find a resolution.

Meanwhile, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian described Dallewal’s health as “extremely worrisome” and urged the Central Government to act swiftly. “The farmers have shown immense patience and resilience. If the Centre’s intentions are genuine, they should not delay addressing the demands,” Khuddian stated.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also underscored the importance of dialogue. He highlighted Punjab’s role as the nation’s agricultural backbone and called for immediate action to safeguard farmers’ interests. “Punjab feeds the country. It is imperative that the concerns of our farmers are addressed with sincerity and urgency,” Mann said.

He emphasized that dialogue remains the only solution to farmers’ issues. “It is encouraging that the Centre has agreed to meet with farmers. If the government doesn’t engage with them, who will? Dialogue is essential to resolving their problems,” Mann said. 

He shared that the meeting, scheduled for February 14, would take place at a venue where he had previously mediated discussions. However, he did not confirm his participation in the talks. 

Mann reiterated his government’s support for farmers, highlighting their role as the country’s food suppliers. “The Centre must listen to their demands and work towards a resolution. We’ve facilitated discussions before, and we’ll continue to stand by them,” he said. 

The current agitation stems from long standing grievances over MSP and agricultural reforms. Protests at the Khanauri border began in February 2024, following a failed march to Delhi due to heavy security blockades. Over the past year, the movement has evolved into a broader call for systemic changes in agricultural policy.

Dallewal, a respected leader and convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has become a symbol of resilience and determination. His hunger strike is a reminder of the stakes for India’s farming community, which seeks not only economic security but also recognition for its critical role in national food security.

The February 14 meeting represents a crucial opportunity for both the government and farmers to break the deadlock. However, skepticism remains high among farmer leaders, who fear that the talks could once again end without concrete outcomes.

Baldev Singh Sirsa, one of the key leaders, warned, “If the government fails to deliver a satisfactory resolution, our protests will intensify. We are prepared for a long battle.”