Chandigarh, February 14:
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent farmer leader who has been on a hunger strike, departed from the Khanauri border this afternoon to engage in discussions with central ministers. The meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Prahlad Joshi, is scheduled to take place at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26, Chandigarh.
Dallewal was taken out of his chamber and transported in a specially arranged ambulance. A convoy of over 50 farmer vehicles accompanied him as they traveled along the national highway through Sangrur toward Chandigarh. Simultaneously, another group of farmers set off from the Shambhu border to participate in the talks.
A total of 28 farmer representatives—14 from the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and 14 from the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha—will be present at the meeting. This marks the fifth round of discussions with central government officials, as previous negotiations have failed to yield a resolution.
The last meeting, held on January 18, 2024, saw the central government proposing the purchase of five crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for five years. However, farmers dismissed the offer, insisting on a legally binding commitment for the procurement of 23 crops at MSP under the C2+50% cost formula.
Dallewal’s hunger strike began on November 26, 2024, following the central government’s prolonged inaction on farmers’ demands over the past nine months. Although authorities initially detained him before he could begin his fast and admitted him to a Ludhiana hospital, he continued his hunger strike from there.
On January 18, 2025, the central government extended an invitation for renewed discussions, setting the meeting for February 14 in Chandigarh—coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the protests.
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