Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike is a shining example of the unyielding spirit of India’s farmers and their fight against the oppressive policies of the Indian government. For over 50 days, Dallewal, a revered farmer leader and cancer survivor, has put his life on the line, demanding justice for millions of farmers who have been betrayed by the false promises of the central government.
The Indian government’s failure to implement a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) is not just a broken promise—it is a calculated betrayal of the backbone of India’s economy. Farmers, the very people who feed the nation, have been left to struggle with mounting debts, unstable crop prices, and an indifferent government that prioritizes corporate profits over the lives of its citizens.
Dallewal’s Sacrifice: A Call to Action
Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike is not just a protest; it is a call to action for every farmer, every worker, and every citizen who believes in justice. Despite his deteriorating health and repeated pleas from medical professionals, Dallewal has refused to back down. His courage exposes the cowardice of a government that turns a blind eye to the suffering of its people while bowing to the demands of multinational corporations.
Dallewal’s protest is a reminder of the sacrifices farmers have made throughout history to demand their rights. His voice, weakened by hunger but strengthened by resolve, represents the collective anguish of India’s farming community. He is fighting not just for MSP but for the very survival of Indian agriculture and rural livelihoods.
A Government of Broken Promises
The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has repeatedly demonstrated its disregard for farmers. During the 2020-2021 farmers’ protests, the government promised reforms, only to renege on its commitments after the protests ended. The demand for a legal guarantee of MSP—a basic right to ensure fair compensation for farmers—has been dismissed with apathy, leaving farmers to face market exploitation and financial ruin.
Instead of addressing the legitimate demands of the farmers, the government has resorted to silence and suppression. It has failed to engage in meaningful dialogue, showing its true priorities lie in appeasing corporate interests rather than safeguarding the livelihoods of those who sustain the nation.
A Systemic Betrayal
The plight of India’s farmers is not new. For decades, successive governments have neglected the agricultural sector, prioritizing urban development and industrial growth at the expense of rural India. The lack of support for farmers, coupled with rising costs of inputs, erratic weather patterns, and mounting debts, has pushed countless farmers into poverty and despair. The Modi government, however, has taken this neglect to new heights, treating farmers as obstacles to its agenda of corporate control over agriculture.
Stand with Dallewal, Stand with Farmers
Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike is a beacon of hope for millions who have been silenced by systemic oppression. As supporters of the farmers’ movement, it is our duty to amplify his voice, to stand in solidarity with those fighting for justice, and to hold the government accountable for its failures.
Dallewal’s sacrifice is a testament to the power of unity and the resilience of the farming community. The Indian government may ignore the cries of its farmers, but the world is watching. Let us ensure that Dallewal’s struggle is not in vain. It is time to demand justice, to demand accountability, and to demand the rights of those who feed the nation.
Long live the farmers’ struggle. Long live Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
