By Dr. Gyan Pathak
In response to the Central government’s invitation for dialogue, 121 farmers concluded their hunger strike at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana on November 19. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, their leader who had been fasting since November 26, 2024, has agreed to seek medical treatment in order to facilitate productive discussions. While a immediate crisis has been avoided, the challenges faced by the farmers remain unresolved. A date for talks has been set for February 14, with both the Centre and the farmers’ unions gearing up for rigorous negotiations.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre has been hesitant to engage in discussions with the protesting farmers, who have maintained sit-in demonstrations at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders since February 13, following the obstruction of their march to Delhi by the BJP-led Haryana government. After enduring 50 days of hunger strike without success in prompting talks, Dallewal inspired 111 farmers to join him in a renewed hunger strike beginning January 15, 2025, bringing attention to their plight. Shortly thereafter, an additional ten farmers from Haryana joined the hunger strike, which ultimately succeeded in getting the Centre to agree to discussions.
Farmer leaders view this as a positive step, albeit a modest one. “It’s not a major victory for us, but we’ve managed to get a previously closed door to open,” remarked Kaka Singh Kotra, a farmer leader from Punjab. On January 18, Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, met with Dallewal and extended an invitation for talks on February 14 at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Chandigarh, expressing hope that Dallewal would end his hunger strike and participate.
The farmers requested an earlier date for discussions, but were informed that key ministers and officials would be occupied with Republic Day celebrations on January 26, and that the model code of conduct for the Delhi elections would be in effect until February 9. The farmer leaders consented to the initial round of talks in Chandigarh but insisted that subsequent meetings take place in Delhi.
Meanwhile, the farmers’ unions are preparing for another wave of intensified protests to advocate for their primary demand: a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. They plan to march to Delhi for the fourth time since December 6, 2024, beginning January 21, with a group of 101 farmers gearing up for the journey. They are also organizing a tractor rally to Delhi on January 26.
This marks the second phase of the farmers’ movement, initiated on February 13, 2024, under the联合号召的Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). The SKM, which represents numerous farmers’ unions, played a pivotal role in the earlier farmers’ protests of 2020-21 that led to the repeal of three controversial farm laws. The SKM has hailed the government’s proposal for talks as a significant accomplishment, stating that the growing solidarity among farmers compelled the government to reconsider its stance. “The ongoing efforts by SKM leaders for farmer unity and nationwide protests against the government’s anti-farmer policies have pressured them to abandon their divisive strategies,” they stated.
In light of the current situation, the SKM has called upon all farmers to mobilize and protest against the Union government, urging them to rescind its anti-farmer policies. They view the National Policy Framework on Agriculture Marketing (NPFAM) as an attempt to reinstate the repealed farm laws. Preparations for the tractor rallies on January 26 are in full swing, with a general body meeting scheduled for January 24 in New Delhi.
Farmer leader Dallewal has underscored his commitment to continue the hunger strike until their demands—including a legal guarantee for MSP—are addressed. Four rounds of discussions between the Centre and the protesting farmers in February 2024 resulted in no agreements, and since then, the Centre has shown reluctance to engage further.
Although the Centre has invited farmer leaders for talks on February 14, skepticism persists regarding the Union government’s intentions and its capacity to address the farmers’ demands effectively. Both the SKM and SKM (non-political) have resolved to jointly protest against the new NPFAM draft, asserting that the Modi government aims to reinstate the revoked farm laws through this policy, thereby threatening control over agricultural land, farming, and national food security.
In New Delhi, officials are reportedly avoiding the key issue of the “legal guarantee for MSP” while focusing on ensuring “MSP benefits” for as many farmers as possible in accordance with the NPFAM draft. Discussions may pivot toward enhancing the procurement mechanism.
An inter-ministerial group will engage with various farmer factions to establish a “unified national market for agricultural produce,” bringing all states onboard as envisioned by the NPFAM draft, which has been met with rejection by farmers’ unions and the Punjab government.
The assurance provided to agitating farmers by the Union Government in December 2021 was merely “to find ways to guarantee MSP for farmers across the country.” Therefore, the Centre’s focus appears to be on this limited goal rather than addressing the crucial demand for a “legal guarantee for MSP.” Additionally, the Centre is awaiting a report from a five-member committee set up by the Supreme Court in September 2024, which has been engaging with SKM (non-political) and KMM to resolve the ongoing issues. Dallewal had originally indicated that he would seek medical assistance during his hunger strike if the Centre agreed to negotiate. Other farmers who joined the fast later also conveyed their intention to end their hunger strike under similar conditions. (IPA Service)
