Farmer Leader’s 40-Day Hunger Strike Highlights Deepening Agricultural Crisis in India
Chandigarh, India – Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s indefinite hunger strike, now in its 40th day, has underscored the dire situation facing Indian farmers. Dallewal, addressing a mahapanchayat in Khanauri, Punjab, prioritized the plight of farmers over his own well-being, stating, “My life is not as important as the lives of lakhs of Indian farmers, who are reeling under distress. Already over 7 lakh farmers have committed suicide due to the crisis in the farming sector.”
The mahapanchayat, organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, demonstrated widespread support for Dallewal and his demands. Farmers have been camped at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13th, 2024, demanding a legally mandated minimum support price (MSP) for crops, loan waivers, and comprehensive agricultural sector reforms. The ongoing deadlock in negotiations between the farmers and the central government has fueled the protest.
Adding to the urgency, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian appealed to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for immediate intervention. Khudian’s plea, made during a virtual discussion on agricultural reforms, highlighted the critical state of Dallewal’s health and urged the central government to resume dialogue with the protesting farmer unions. Khudian reiterated the Punjab state government’s support for the farmers’ demands and its commitment to collaborating with the central government to improve agricultural prosperity.
Further emphasizing the need for urgent action, Minister Khudian also requested gap funding of Rs 15,000 per acre for farmers to incentivize the cultivation of alternative, less water-intensive crops, a crucial step in addressing the region’s water scarcity issues. The prolonged hunger strike and the ongoing protest highlight the profound challenges faced by Indian farmers and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.