January 31, 2025

Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike, which began on November 26, 2024, at the Datasingh Wala-Khanauri farmers’ protest site, continued today for the 67th consecutive day.

Farmers’ leaders stated that since February 13, 2024, farmers and laborers have been protesting at the Shambhu, Khanauri, and Ratanpura borders for their rightful demands, which were agreed upon in writing by the government. The central government had made promises to implement these demands.

The leaders further explained that the ongoing protest at the borders is centered around 12 key demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP (Minimum Support Price) based on Dr. Swaminathan Commission’s C²+50 formula, complete debt waiver for farmers and laborers, compensation for those affected by police violence during the protest, and justice for the killers of Shubhkaran Singh.

They urged the central government to allocate a special budget for the agricultural sector in the ongoing winter session. If the government fails to reserve funds for farmers and laborers’ welfare in the current budget, then this budget will be nothing more than a mere formality for farmers.

Farmers’ leaders also informed that another farmer, Pargat Singh, son of Tarlochan Singh, from village Kakkar, Tehsil Lopoke, District Amritsar, has attained martyrdom while fighting for these rightful demands at the Shambhu protest site.