Farmers’ Protest Intensifies as Dhaliwal’s Hunger Strike Highlights Demand for Legal MSP; Crucial Government Talks Set for February 22

The ongoing farmers’ agitation demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) has taken a more intense turn, with Jagjit Singh Dhaliwal, a prominent leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), launching an indefinite hunger strike. Dhaliwal’s hunger strike underscores the growing frustration among farmers who have been pressing the central government for long-pending agricultural reforms. His protest has reignited concerns about the well-being of farmers struggling with fluctuating market prices, mounting debts, and an uncertain future due to the lack of a legal framework ensuring fair procurement prices for their crops.

The farmers’ demands center around the implementation of laws that would legally bind the government to purchase crops at MSP. This issue gained significant attention after the farmers’ movement in 2020–21, which resulted in the repeal of three controversial farm laws. However, despite multiple assurances from the government, no concrete action has been taken to codify MSP into law. Farmers argue that without a legal guarantee, they remain vulnerable to market volatility and exploitative pricing by private traders. Many believe that the failure to secure MSP through legislation is equivalent to leaving the agrarian community at the mercy of fluctuating demand and supply forces.

Amidst growing tensions, the second round of negotiations between government representatives and farmer unions is scheduled for February 22 in Chandigarh. The first round of talks, held earlier this month, failed to reach a consensus, leading to increased pressure on the authorities to address the farmers’ grievances more seriously. This time, the discussions will be held at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration, where key Union ministers and representatives from the Punjab government will engage with farmer leaders in an attempt to break the deadlock.

The protesting farmers, primarily from Punjab, have been stationed at Shambhu and Khanauri—two crucial border points between Punjab and Haryana—since February 13 last year. Initially, they had planned to march towards Delhi to press their demands, but heavy security deployment and barricading by Haryana Police prevented them from proceeding further. Determined to continue their agitation, the farmers pitched tents at these locations, effectively converting them into protest camps where thousands of farmers remain steadfast in their demand for justice.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, convener of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, has warned that if the upcoming talks fail to yield a positive outcome, the farmers will resume their march towards Delhi on February 25. He stated that the patience of the agrarian community is wearing thin, and unless their concerns are addressed meaningfully, they will have no option but to escalate their protest. Pandher reiterated that the farmers are not merely fighting for financial security but also for dignity and recognition of their contribution to the nation’s food security.

The invitation for the February 22 meeting was formally extended by Purna Chandra Kishan, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, to farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dhaliwal and Sarwan Singh Pandher. The meeting will also witness the participation of senior officials from Punjab, including Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Food and Supply Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, and Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture) Anurag Verma. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has deputed these representatives to ensure that the concerns of the state’s farmers are adequately presented.

A day before this crucial meeting, thousands of farmers gathered at the protest sites to mark the death anniversary of farm activist Shubhkaran Singh. Shubhkaran Singh had died from bullet injuries during a violent confrontation between farmers and Haryana Police at the Khanauri border last year. His death became a symbol of the sacrifices made by farmers in their ongoing struggle for agricultural rights. The gathering witnessed emotional tributes and renewed pledges by farmers to continue their fight until their demands are met.

The government’s response in the upcoming meeting will be a decisive moment in determining the direction of this prolonged agitation. The farmers remain firm on their demand for a legal MSP, while the government has so far been hesitant to make binding commitments. With emotions running high and pressure mounting from both sides, the February 22 discussions hold the potential to either pave the way for a resolution or further escalate the crisis.

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