Former Punjab CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal meets farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal who is fasting to death, at the Khanauri border in Sangrur on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Farmers, on a warpath against the Centre, on Saturday (December 28, 2024) called for a ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ at the Khanauri protest site on January 4.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had earlier given a call for a Punjab bandh on December 30.
The move comes amid the Supreme Court coming down heavily on the Punjab government for not shifting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been fasting for over a month, to a hospital.
SKM leader Kaka Singh Kotra said the 70-year-old has been on an indefinite hunger strike, which entered its 33rd day on Saturday. “On January 4 at Khanauri, we will hold a big ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ in which farmers from various States will participate,” he said.
On Saturday, while it admonished the Punjab government, the Supreme Court also indicated the possibility that Mr. Dallewal may have not been allowed to be taken to a hospital by other farmer leaders.
Responding to it, Mr. Dallewal, in a video message, said, “I am sitting on a fast. Who gave this report in the Supreme Court and who spread this misconception that I have been kept hostage, where did such a thing come from?”
“Seven lakh farmers of this country have committed suicide due to debt. To save farmers is necessary, therefore, I am sitting here, I am not under anyone’s pressure,” he added.
In his message, Mr. Dallewal said he had written a letter to the Supreme Court, requesting it to direct the Centre to accept the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of the minimum support price on crops. He had earlier said he would not break his fast till the government agreed to the farmers’ demands.
“We thought, maybe the Supreme Court would give direction to the Centre,” he said.
Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said Mr. Dallewal may also speak at the Mahapanchayat.
On Saturday, a Vacation Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia gave the Punjab government time till December 31 to persuade Mr. Dallewal to shift to a hospital, giving it the liberty to seek logistical support from the Centre, if the situation warrants.
Expressing helplessness, the Punjab government said it is facing huge resistance from the protesting farmers who have encircled Mr. Dallewal and are preventing him from being taken to a hospital.
Published – December 29, 2024 01:49 am IST
