Inside a makeshift camp created on a trailer at the Khanuari border-around 215 km from Delhi, a frail 70-year-old farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal lies on the brink of collapse with his hunger strike completed one and half month– showing his resilience for the pending demands of farmers including a guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP). Despite suffering from cancer and fluctuating blood pressure Dallewal remains steadfast.

Even the Supreme Court repeated expressed concerns over his health, doctors warn that his condition is critical—he is unable to speak anyone but he refused medical aid. As his health deteriorates, his struggle has become a focal point for the 11-month-long farmers’ agitation began on February 13, reigniting a movement that once shook the nation in 2020. “I am ready to sacrifice my life for the rights of my fellow farmers,” he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi before starting his strike.
While these issues remain unresolved, the Punjab and Haryana farming communities have rallied around him, organizing massive protests, including a Punjab Bandh, Rail Roko, Candle March and now call was given for tractor march. The ongoing agitation began in February last year when thousands of farmers gathered at the Punjab-Haryana border. Dallewal’s hunger strike has reignited anger among farmers as they alleged betrayedal by unfulfilled promises made during the repeal of three controversial farm laws in 2021. However, the 46 days of his hunger strike have failed to evoke any response from the union government yet, but the frail leader has managed to bring the different farmer unions at one platform with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha leaders who led the 2020-21 protests, considering extending support to them as they have common demands including a legal guarantee for MSP, Pension To Farmers and a loan waiver. But his hunger strike began on November 26, symbolizing the unyielding his spirit for guaranteed MSP.

This is not Dallewal’s first such protest as he has disturbed the authorities for farmers demands on several occasions, winning support from the farmers. Dallewal had led campaigns against land acquisition and also united the farmers to raise a demand for debt waivers and better compensation for families of farmers who died by suicide. However, Dallewal’s fast has also widened the rift between the Aam Aadmi Party led Punjab government and the BJP led union government. The Supreme Court’s repeated directives to Punjab government t provide Dallewal with medical assistance evoked sharp criticism to the Punjab government. Even, the central government has distanced itself, citing the pending legal proceedings.

The analysts believe that the government wants to avoid triggering widespread unrest again but risks losing the support of millions of farmers due to its perceived indifference toward them. They believe that Dallewal’s hunger strike highlights the serious problems faced by India’s farmers. Punjab, which heavily depends on agriculture, has been seeing a steady drop in farm incomes. This has led to issues like debt, suicides, and migration. To address the farmers distress the farmer organizations now asking the government to prioritize guarantees for MSP and address other key demands. Experts warn that if the government continues to ignore these issues, tensions could rise further, leading to bigger social and political problems.
As thousands of people gather at the Khanuari border for Mahapanchayats , it gave much needed strength to Dallewal’s determination to continue his fight. “You need to get united and give strength to this struggle for the future generations of the farmers and laborers” he said in a rare public statement before his health worsened.