Jagjit Singh Dallewal: A Pivotal Figure in the Agricultural Reform Movement
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a key farmer leader and president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), concluded a 131-day hunger strike aimed at securing a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP). His activism remains vital in the ongoing fight for farmer rights.
Key Takeaways
- Dallewal ended his 131-day hunger strike.
- Continued advocacy for legal MSP guarantees.
- Leadership in uniting over 150 farmer unions.
- Protests persist at Punjab-Haryana border.
- Historical ties to Anna Hazare's activism.
New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a leading figure among farmers and the president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), concluded his prolonged hunger strike on Sunday after 131 days. He initiated the hunger strike on November 26, 2024, aiming to advocate for a legal guarantee on minimum support prices (MSP) for crops and to spotlight various farmer-related issues. Though Dallewal has ended his fast, he emphasized that the farmers' protest will proceed.
Dallewal, who comes from a farming lineage in Dallewala village, Faridkot, began his fast as part of the extensive farmer movement that captured national attention in 2020. He completed his post-graduate studies at Punjabi University before committing himself to agricultural and farmer-related challenges.
His hunger strike drew support from numerous political figures, including Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu.
On Saturday, the Union Minister shared a message on X, urging Dallewal to end his fast while discussions between the Central government and farmers’ organizations were underway.
The post stated: “The ongoing dialogue between the representatives of the Government of India and the representatives of farmers’ organisations regarding their demands is continuing. Farmer leader Shri Jagjit Singh Dallewal has now returned from hospital and we wish him a speedy recovery. We also request him to end his hunger strike and we will meet with the representatives of the farmers’ organisations for talks at 11 a.m. on May 4 as per the already decided date.”
Despite the conclusion of his fast, Dallewal remained steadfast in his belief that the movement will continue. In a statement, he clarified that even though his fast has ended, the struggle for farmer rights, including the MSP guarantee, will endure until their demands are satisfied.
Dallewal's journey has seen notable changes within the farmer movement. His faction of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) separated from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) after Balbir Singh Rajewal established the Samyukta Samaj Morcha to compete in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.
Under Dallewal's guidance, a new non-political version of the SKM was formed in July 2022, uniting over 150 farmer unions under this new banner.
Since February 13, 2025, farmer leaders affiliated with Dallewal's faction, along with the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have remained active in protests at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana.
These protests arose after the Delhi Chalo march was interrupted by security forces, highlighting the persistent unrest among farmers in the area.
Dallewal's activism dates back to his support for Anna Hazare, the esteemed social activist. In 2018, Dallewal participated in Hazare’s hunger strike in Delhi, which centered around issues such as the immediate implementation of the Lokpal Act, solutions for agrarian distress, and electoral reforms.
As Dallewal steps back from his hunger strike, his demand for a legal guarantee on MSP and enhanced support for farmers continues to be at the forefront of his advocacy.
