After over 4 months, Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ends hunger strike, says fight is on

FAST BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26

- MPOST BUREAU

CHANDIGARH: After more than four months of a hunger strike to demand a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) and other key farmer issues, Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ended his fast on Sunday, vowing that the struggle would continue.

Speaking from a stretcher at a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' in Sirhind, Dallewal said he was heeding repeated appeals from supporters and union ministers, though his resolve to fight remained unchanged. His decision followed a fresh appeal by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, who had urged him to end his fast and return to the negotiation table.

"You all have said (to me) to end the fast-unto-death. For me 'sangat' (people) is 'rabb da roop' (a form of God). I am indebted to you for looking after the agitation the way I had said. I respect your sentiments," said Dallewal, who addressed the gathering from a stretcher.

"The 'morcha' (agitation) continues. Even today I do not want to end the indefinite fast but you have asked me time and again (to end fast) and I respect it.

"But I want to ask you and get an assurance that we will have to put up a stronger 'morcha'. The fight is on. The MSP (guarantee) has to be taken and a bigger 'morcha' has to be put up. Do you agree on holding a bigger 'morcha'," he asked the gathering.

"The government is alert and it knows farmers can fight. The way you took care of the 'morcha, the government has seen it," he said.