Reacting to the invitation by the Supreme Court appointed committee for talks on December 18, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has made it clear that they will not attend the meeting and also slammed the committee for not making concrete efforts to resolve farmers issues.
In a letter addressed to Justice Nawab Singh, Chairman of the committee, Dallewal said that after a mutual discussions, the two fronts (Samyukta Kisan Morcha Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have decided not to attend the meeting with the committee and have sent a written response to the committee. Dallewal, who was on hunger strike for the past 22 days at the Khanauri border, alleging that the committee was constituted by the Supreme Court to restore trust between farmers and the government, but it has failed to make any concrete efforts so far to fulfill this purpose or to seriously engage with the central government to resolve legitimate demands of farmers. However, even in such a grave situation, this committee has did not visit Khanauri and Shambhu protest sites
“Seeing that you have become active after such a long delay has deeply saddened me. Was this committee waiting for my death? We did not expect such insensitivity from the esteemed members of the committee”, reads the letter.
“ Considering my medical condition and the plight of injured farmers at the Shambhu border, both fronts have decided that we are unable to meet with you. From now on, any discussions regarding our demands will only be held directly with the central government”, wrote Dallewal.Dallewal, also apprised the committee about the police action on farmers stating that 40 farmers have sustained injuries as the repeated attempts by the farmers to launch Delhi March were foiled by the Haryana police. On September 2, the Supreme Court had directed the formation of a five-member committee, led by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nawab Singh, to facilitate discussions aimed at clearing tractors and trolleys from the Shambhu border. The committee also includes experts from various fields, aiming to bring a comprehensive approach to the ongoing agricultural crisis.
The farmer leaders had expressed skepticism about the committee’s credibility, refusing to engage in dialogue over concerns that the court’s claims regarding the farmers’ request for such a panel were unfounded. A group of 12 farmers attended the meeting with the members of the committee on November 4 but most of the farmers who were holding protests refused to talks with the committee. However, the committee has already submitted a report in the Supreme Court.
LETTER TO COMMITTEE
- Dallewal criticizes the committee for inaction and failure to visit protest sites.
- He insists that future discussions will be held directly with the government.
- Dallewal reports 40 farmers injured in clashes with Haryana police during a Delhi March attempt.
- Most farmers remain skeptical about the committee’s credibility, with only 12 attending a previous meeting in November.
