Punjab seeks Chouhan’s help to end farm protests impasse

The letter dated December 20 was received by the Union Agriculture Ministry on January 1, The Indian Express has learnt. Sources in the Ministry confirmed receiving the letter and said Chouhan is yet to respond.

Khuddian told The Indian Express: “In the letter, I highlighted how Dallewal’s life was in danger and all the demands of the agitating farmers were related to the Centre. I sought Chouhan’s help to initiate a dialogue between the Centre and the farmers. I also wrote to him that his intervention was required to sort this impasse.”

Khuddian said 14 days had passed since he wrote the letter but the Union Minister had not responded yet. “We hope he will do something. Otherwise, it depends on the Centre. Let us see what call they take.”

Sources said Punjab wrote the letter a day after Supreme Court pulled it up for not running medical tests on Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death.

Khuddian’s letter mentioned the court’s observations and highlighted the fact that Dallewal’s fast had entered the 25th day (on December 20), said a source.

On December 28, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Punjab government for not moving Dallewal to a hospital. Earlier this week, the Punjab government informed the court that Dallewal’s stand was that he would accept medical aid only if the Centre expressed willingness to talk.

On Thursday, an SC Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant slammed Punjab, saying the state’s attitude appeared to be against reconciliation and its officials were spreading the wrong impression that the court was trying to persuade Dallewal to break his fast. The Bench cautioned that if the state abdicates its responsibilities, it might have to ask the Centre to step in.

The AAP-led Punjab government’s position is at variance with the AAP-led government in Delhi. On Thursday, responding to a letter by Chouhan to her, Delhi CM Atishi said that the “condition of farmers has never been as bad as it was during the BJP’s reign and the party talking about farmers is like Dawood giving a sermon on non-violence”.

The Centre’s stand over the latest round of farm protests also seems different from its earlier proactive stance when Union Ministers held several rounds of talks with protesting farmers in 2020-21 and 2024.

Asked about the Punjab government’s submission to the SC, Chouhan said the government would abide by the court’s directions. “We will take action as per the direction of the Supreme Court,” Chouhan said, responding to a question on Wednesday.

Asked whether he would invite farmers for talks, Chouhan said, “I meet and interact with farmers’ organisations every Tuesday.”