Hardeep Singh

As the struggle for survival of farmers and agriculture of Punjab has entered the next phase with thousands of agitating farmers being stopped at two places on Punjab-Haryana border, Jagjit Singh Dallewal has emerged as the hero of this struggle. However, his life is at high risk as he has been undertaking fast-unto-death for the last 35 days. His health condition is continuously deteriorating day by day but the apathetic and ruthless Government of India is not paying any heed towards the cause of farmers and Punjab. 

The current farmer movement is being dubbed as Kisan Andolan 2.0, of which a 70-year-old farmer Sikh leader has emerged as the face. As the Indian State has turned blind eye towards the movement under which farmers from across Punjab and Haryana have been trying to approach Indian capital New Delhi to demonstrate for a year, the community is worried over the ailing leader’s fragile health. 

The fast-unto-death of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, president of Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur) and prominent leader of Kisan Sanyukt Morcha (non-political, has revived the movement of farmers against anti-farmer policies of the Indian State which recently attempted to ensure control of big corporate houses over agriculture and agrarian land of Punjab through three farm laws which were revoked following pressure of Kisan Andolan 1.0, that was undertaken at the borders of New Delhi in 2020. 

Dallewal’s decision to begin his fast-unto-death changed the narrative, bringing renewed strength and unity to the movement. Amid the ongoing indifferent attitude of the Indian State, Dallewal’s fast-unto-death has not only drawn attention of global community but also the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court is appearing to favour the government instead of addressing their demands including a legal guarantee for a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. 

Although his health remains fragile, his resolve remains unshaken, keeping both the administration and the government on edge.

Nearly 15 days ago, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, along with Mayank Mishra, a representative of the Centre and Director, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Patiala Range DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu, met Dallewal at the Khanauri border on the orders of the Supreme Court. They were here to convince farmer leaders to provide Dallewal medical aid without forcing him to break his fast unless it was imperative to do so to save his life.

Despite gravely ailing, Dallewal is repeatedly saying, “I will end the fast only If the Centre fulfills all demands of the farmers. “I am mentally prepared to sacrifice his life if the Centre did not fulfil farmers demands”, Dallewal told DGP. 

Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann is acting in such a way that he looks like a representative of India’s central government. He did nothing except expressing concern over the health of Dallewal and making verbal appeals to the Indian government. It’s been 35 days since Jagjit Singh Dallewal began his fast, Mann never visited Dallewal to enquire about his health. Instead he sent groups of ministers and officials. It is easy to understand how he is serious about the cause of farmers and the health of Dallewal. 

The Supreme Court has set a deadline, December 31, for Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government to persuade Jagjit Singh Dallewal to accept the medical aid and get admitted to the hospital. In light of the deadline, retired ADGP Jaskaran Singh visited Khanauri on behalf of the state government on December 29. He held talks with committee members of the morcha, namely Kaka Singh Kotra and Sukhjit Singh Hardo Jhande. However, the talks between the morcha leaders and the retired ADGP remained inconclusive. Dallewal and morcha leaders declined the request of the government. 

Reacting to the attempts of the Supreme Court and government to shift him from the agitation site to the hospital, Dallewal appealed to the apex court not to become a partner in Centre’s attempts of suppressing and defaming the farmers’ movement. 

In a video message, Dallewal said the state government was preparing to crush the farmers’ protest at Khanauri. 

In its story published on December 30, The Tribune quoted SKM (Non-Political) leader Abhimanyu Kohar as saying, “If any force was used to remove Dallewal from the protest site, the Centre and the constitutional institutions passing such orders would be responsible for any loss of life or property”.

“It has come to their notice that the state government had requisitioned force for removing Dallewal from the protest site”, said Kaka Singh Kotra. 

With the fast of Dallewal, the farmer movement has entered a critical phase. The circumstances may take ugly turn, if anything unfavorable happens with the health of Dallewal who is on verge of Shahadat (martyrdom). 

Keeping in view the conspiracy of Indian State which, using the SC, is trying to crush and defame agitation of farmers on pretext of providing medical aid to him, Dallewal appealed to all farmers to reach Khanauri border in maximum number.  He made it clear that the AAP government of Punjab is playing in the hands of the Central government. 

The Indian government is adopting an apathetic approach towards this unprecedented protest because it is being spearheaded by the Sikhs. The Indian State has always used Punjab as its colony because it is a Sikh dominated state and known as Sikh homeland. Countless Sikhs have made sacrifices for rights and demands of their homeland.