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Farmers have been protesting on the Punjab-Haryana border to press the Center for several demands, including a statutory guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
Farmers protest on Delhi-Haryana border | File photo/PTI
As Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s interminable hunger strike entered its 34th day on Sunday, farmers’ leaders in Khanauri said they were following Gandhi’s path to continue their protest and it was up to the government to decide whether it wanted to use force to oust their senior leader. .
Their statement comes amid the Supreme Court’s strong criticism of the Punjab government for not shifting Dallewal to hospital.
Farmers have been protesting on the Punjab-Haryana border to press the Center for several demands, including a statutory guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
Recently, a high-ranking delegation of Punjab government officials met Dallewal and asked him to accept treatment even if he wished to continue his fast.
Dallewal has so far refused treatment.
On Sunday, Farmers’ leader Abhimanyu Kohar at the protest in Khanauri said, “We want to make it clear that the Centre, from day one, has been trying to discredit and suppress our agitation.” The story that is being created is that the farmers are stubborn, and it is the Center that takes this situation without paying attention to the demands of the farmers, he said.
“We continue our agitation by accepting Gandhi’s principles. Our agitation has proved, that despite so much patience due to government oppression, we have continued to protest in the Gandhi way,” he added.
“We are following these principles. Now, it is up to the government and the constitutional bodies whether they want to use force to remove Dallewal ji,” said Kohar.
He went on to say that the farmers want to make it clear that whatever the situation is, the work will be in the Center and the constitutional institutions.
“We also want to appeal to the people of the country that the agitation for the MSP guarantee has reached the final stage. We are on the verge of victory… We must take a strong step. Dallewal has put his life at risk,” he said.
Kohar said that it is up to the people of the country to decide whether they should stay at home or be present in large numbers at the Khanauri Morcha in support of Dallewal.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-Political) leader Kaka Singh Kotra said the government may try to oust Dallewal from the current protest zone and their unions are urging Punjabis to reach Khanauri in large numbers.
He also said that Dallewal has made it clear that he is ready to sacrifice his life for the farmers of this country.
Meanwhile, the farmers who are on the path to fight the Centre, have called for “isan mahapanchayat” at the protest site of Khanauri on January 4.
SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have also called for a party in Punjab on Monday and said their strike has received strong support from transporters, workers, traders and other social groups including religious groups.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that although there will be a full bandh on Monday, the emergency services will continue to work. He added that the Center is not willing to listen to the farmers’ demands.
“The bandh will be observed from 7 am to 4 pm. However, the emergency services will continue to work. Besides, anyone going to the airport to board a flight or anyone attending an interview, or anyone having a wedding ceremony … things are not in our bandh call,” he said.
Meanwhile, a team of Punjab government officials including Deputy Inspector General of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu and retired DGP, Jaskaran Singh met Dallewal at Khanauri border on Sunday.
Later, farmers’ leaders said that Dallewal refused to take any medical aid.
Answering a question, they said that if the team comes up with another proposal, they will see what it is.
On Saturday, while ordering the Punjab government, the Supreme Court also suggested that Dallewal may not have been allowed to be taken to the hospital by other farmers’ leaders.
In response, Dallewal, in a video message that day, said, “I am fasting. Who gave this report to the Supreme Court, and who spread this misconception that I am being held as a hostage? Where is such a thing? Where did it come from?” “7 lakh farmers in this country have killed themselves due to debts. Saving farmers is necessary, therefore, I am sitting here. I am not under pressure from anyone,” he added.
Earlier, Dallewal said that he will not fast until the government agrees to the farmers’ demands. The Supreme Court gave the Punjab government till December 31 to persuade Dallewal to shift to a hospital, giving the state freedom to seek the Centre’s support, if necessary.
In response, the Punjab government said in court that it was facing strong opposition from protesting farmers, who surrounded Dallewal and prevented him from being taken to hospital.
The apex court also termed the behavior of other farmers’ leaders who were associated with Dallewal as shocking and questionable.
The state government has formed a team of doctors who will monitor Dallewal’s health round the clock.
The farmers, under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after their march to Delhi was stopped by the army.
A “jatha” (group) of 101 farmers tried to march to Delhi on foot three times between December 6 and 14 but were stopped by Haryana security forces.
In addition to the official guarantee of MSP, the farmers are demanding loan waiver, pensions for farmers and farm workers, no increase in electricity tax, withdrawal of police charges, and “justice” for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published by the syndicated news agency – PTI)
- Location :
Chandigarh, India
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