Amid Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s deteriorating health and farmer unions’ concerns over the Centre’s draft “National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing,” support for the farmer agitation is expected to grow in Haryana in the coming days. Haryana farmers are not only worried about Dallewal’s health but also apprehensive about the draft agricultural marketing policy, which they have termed “anti-farmer.” In this context, the Gurnam Singh Chaduni-led BKU will stage protests at district headquarters across Haryana on Friday to express solidarity with the protesting farmers in Punjab. Additionally, 11 farmers will observe a hunger strike at district headquarters from 10 am to 4 pm on the same day. BKU Chaduni spokesperson Rakesh Bains said the draft agricultural marketing policy would be a key focus of Friday’s protests. He remarked: “We strongly believe the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing is an attempt to weaken government-run mandis by promoting private mandis. This policy resembles the contentious farm laws we opposed in 2020-21, which were later repealed.” Bains further warned: “Government mandis will not survive if private mandis are allowed. Initially, private players may offer better facilities to attract farmers, but this would ultimately dismantle public sector mandis, creating a monopoly in foodgrain procurement. Farmers would then be forced to sell their produce to a single corporate entity, resulting in losses for both the government and farmers.” Farmer bodies from Punjab, including Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM, non-political), had called for a “Dilli Chalo” march starting December 6. However, key farmer unions from Haryana had distanced themselves from the call, stating that the organisers had not consulted them. Dallewal’s declining health, however, has prompted Haryana farmers to rally in support of their Punjab counterparts. Recently, Chaduni visited Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border of Punjab and Haryana since November 26, demanding a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) of crops. On December 16, Haryana farmers staged tractor marches in Ambala, Kaithal, Hisar, Panipat, and other districts to push for the MSP demand. Farmer bodies and khap panchayats have also expressed concern over Dallewal’s health. On Thursday, the 24th day of his hunger strike, Dallewal’s condition worsened as he fainted for about 10 minutes. On December 17 and 18, the Pagdi Sambhal Jatta Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (Haryana) staged a 24-hour dharna in Hisar. Union president Mandeep Nathwan said efforts to mobilise farmers for a legal guarantee of MSP are ongoing. Two days ago, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda raised Dallewal’s hunger strike in Lok Sabha, urging the government to intervene. Hooda questioned: “What is wrong if 101 farmers want to raise their demands in Delhi? Don’t farmers have the right to voice their concerns in the national capital?” INLD leader Abhay Chautala also visited the Khanauri border recently to meet Dallewal.
