Farmers’ Protest Escalates as Hunger Strike Enters 51st Day
At the Khanauri border, where Punjab meets Haryana, the farmers’ protest took a dramatic turn as a new group of 111 farmers vowed to begin their own hunger strike on January 15. Wearing black clothes as a symbol of defiance, they pledged to stand in solidarity with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose indefinite fast has now stretched into its 51st day.
Dallewal, who heads the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on hunger strike since November 26, 2024, demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) on crops and other farmer-centric policies. His health is deteriorating rapidly, with signs of multi-organ failure, but he continues to reject medical assistance.
“We will sacrifice ourselves before Dallewal does,” declared farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar. Speaking at the protest site, he explained that the new group of fasting farmers would gather peacefully near the police barricades starting at 2 p.m.
Doctors monitoring Dallewal’s condition report alarming symptoms: high ketone levels, extreme muscle loss, and an inability to retain water. Yet, he remains resolute, surviving solely on water until recently. His worsening health has only intensified emotions among his supporters, who have camped at the Khanauri border for weeks.
Support Swells Amid Government Silence
Farmers and activists from Haryana, including the Haryana Vyapar Mandal led by Bajrang Das Garg, have joined the protests, emphasizing their shared frustration with the government’s inaction. Farmer groups accuse the central government of ignoring their demands, particularly the call for a legal MSP guarantee.
On January 12, Dallewal reached out to religious leaders across India, asking for their help in urging the government to respond. His letter highlighted the urgency of their demands and the human cost of the ongoing protests.
The Khanauri and Shambhu borders have become hubs of resistance, with farmers setting up camps since February 2024. They had planned a march to Delhi, but security forces halted their progress, forcing them to concentrate their efforts at the border points.
As the days go by, the tension grows. For these farmers, the fight isn’t just about policy—it’s about survival, dignity, and ensuring a future where their hard work is respected and rewarded. The coming days will reveal whether their sacrifices will finally move the powers that be.
