Jagjit Singh Dallewal agrees to medical aid as Centre invites farm leaders for talks on Feb 14
This marks the first formal engagement between the Centre and protesting farmers since February 18 last year
PTC Web Desk: The Central Government has invited farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 54 days at the Khanauri border, for talks scheduled on February 14. Following emotional appeals from fellow farmer leaders, Dallewal has also agreed to receive medical aid, marking a critical development in the ongoing year-long farmers’ protest.
Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, met Dallewal and extended a formal invitation for discussions at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh. Ranjan expressed hope that Dallewal would break his hunger strike to participate in the talks. The date for the meeting was chosen strategically, keeping in mind the model code of conduct for the Delhi Assembly elections on February 5.
Dallewal's decision to accept medical assistance came after an emotional appeal from farmer leaders Kaka Singh Kotra, Abhimanyu Kohar, and others, who pledged to undertake a hunger strike themselves if he refused treatment. Medical teams on standby promptly began his care, though Dallewal maintained his resolve to abstain from food until the government provides a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
In addition, 111 farmers, including 10 from Haryana, who have been fasting for four days, are expected to end their hunger strike on Sunday. Kotra stated that Dallewal requested the initial meeting take place in Chandigarh, with subsequent discussions in Delhi.
The Khanauri border has seen increased activity as protesting farmer groups indicated receiving what they termed a "decent proposal" from the Centre. However, a lack of consensus among the groups during their second round of talks has delayed a unified response.
Sources revealed that the Centre's proposal was contingent on Dallewal agreeing to medical treatment. Priya Ranjan, along with a delegation, held a two-hour discussion with the farmers following his meeting with Dallewal. Although specific details of the proposal remain undisclosed, farmer leader Kotra confirmed it is being actively reviewed. The efforts of former Punjab DIG Narinder Bhargav and former ADGP Jaskaran Singh were instrumental in facilitating these discussions.
This marks the first formal engagement between the Centre and protesting farmers since February 18 last year. The protests, led by the SKM (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been ongoing at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, after security forces halted their march to Delhi.
Farmer groups have also announced a fourth attempt to march to the national capital from the Shambhu border on January 21. The ongoing agitation coincides with the Delhi Assembly election campaign, with protesters asserting that over 40 farmers have lost their lives during the 11-month-long struggle.