Recently, farmers in Punjab observed a statewide shutdown, or ‘Punjab Bandh,’ on Monday from 7 AM to 4 PM. The protest, led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, garnered widespread support.
New Delhi: Dec 30: The Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee has extended an invitation to farmers for a meeting on January 3, as per a press release on Monday. This meeting aims to address ongoing issues raised by the farming community.
The committee has invited farmers from all political affiliations to the meeting scheduled for 11 AM at the PWD Rest House. The agenda involves a detailed discussion on farmers’ concerns and formulating strategies to address them.
The committee, led by former Supreme Court judge Nawab Singh, has previously held discussions with farmers and administrative officials. However, senior members of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a non-political farmers’ organization, did not attend earlier meetings and instead sent a letter to the committee.
An interim report submitted by the committee to the Supreme Court in December highlighted the farmers’ reluctance to engage in discussions. Despite this, the Supreme Court commended the committee’s efforts. Earlier, a meeting in Chandigarh was attended by officials and farmers from Punjab and Haryana. It remains uncertain whether protesting farmers will participate in the upcoming talks.
Recently, farmers in Punjab observed a statewide shutdown, or ‘Punjab Bandh,’ on Monday from 7 AM to 4 PM. The protest, led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, garnered widespread support.
Farmer leader Sharvan Singh Pandher reported over 280 blockades disrupting road and rail services but emphasized that emergency services remained operational.
Pandher highlighted the success of the bandh, stating,
“Approximately 90–99% of traffic was absent from the roads. The people of Punjab have supported this bandh wholeheartedly.”
He called for a peaceful and dispute-free protest, ensuring no disruptions to emergency services, marriages, or essential travel.
The protests, ongoing since February 13, 2024, at the Khanauri border in Sangrur district near Haryana, demand a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 24 crops. Notably, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a hunger strike for several days, pressing for this legal assurance.
Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on hunger strike for 34 days, demanding a legal guarantee for MSP on 24 crops.
On Saturday, a vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia granted the Punjab government until December 31 to persuade Jagjit Singh Dallewal to move to a hospital. The Supreme Court also permitted the state government to seek logistical assistance from the Centre if necessary.
During the hearing, the Punjab government expressed its inability to act, citing significant resistance from protesting farmers surrounding Dallewal and preventing his transfer to a hospital. The bench questioned the actions of some farmer leaders accompanying Dallewal, calling their conduct surprising and questionable.
In a video message the same day, Dallewal refuted these claims, stating, “I am on a hunger strike. Who informed the Supreme Court that I am being held hostage? Who spread such misinformation? There is no such thing.”
He further emphasized, “Seven lakh farmers in this country have taken their own lives due to debt. Saving farmers is crucial, and that is why I am here. I am under no pressure from anyone.”
Dallewal has consistently maintained he will not end his fast until the government addresses the farmers’ demands. These include a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), a debt waiver, pensions for farmers and agricultural laborers, no increase in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence during previous farmer protests.
The Punjab government has deployed a team of doctors to monitor Dallewal’s health continuously. Reports indicate his condition has worsened, with a significant drop in blood pressure.
On Saturday, Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk visited Dallewal at the Khanauri protest site, offering solidarity.
Wangchuk, who had previously undertaken a 16-day hunger strike to advocate for discussions on Ladakh’s administration, shared his support, saying, “I am here to convey the good wishes and warm support of the people of Ladakh.”
Earlier this month, a group of 101 farmers attempted three separate marches to Delhi on foot between December 6 and 14, but Haryana’s security forces stopped them. Similar attempts on February 13 and February 21 this year also led to clashes between protesters and security personnel.
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