Farmer leader Dallewal: ‘It is aar paar ki ladai… I made my will (for family)… Will not end fast until our demands are met’

The 70-year-old SKM (non-political) convener, Dallewal told the gathering: “Few days ago, the Supreme Court said that a mine worker’s life is precious. But what about the children of those 7 lakh farmers who have died by suicide? Their children are suffering. Suicides should stop. No farmer should die in the future. So I feel I should sacrifice myself for their cause.”

A cancer patient, Dallewal has so far refused to take any medical aid despite his deteriorating condition. The huge crowd stayed at the Mahapanchayat venue until Dallewal left in his ambulance. Many women were seen bowing down their heads before Dallewal’s posters there.

Ahead of the Mahapanchayat, Dallewal told The Indian Express in an interview that it is a “do-or-die battle” for him this time. Excerpts:

* What is your response to concerns about your health?

I am thankful to the honourable Supreme Court and others for their concern. However, I am fighting for the unfulfilled demands that the central government agreed upon in December 2021. If an MSP guarantee law is enacted as per the Parliamentary Standing Committee’s recommendations (made in December last year), I will end my fast. Though physically weak, my will power remains strong to fight for farmers’ rights through satyagraha.

* Will you end your hunger strike if invited for talks with the government?

No. I will end my fast only when an MSP guarantee Act is enacted. In my December 24 letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I reminded him of his respect for Parliament in 2014 and urged him to honour (the Parliamentary Committee’s) recommendations, including the MSP guarantee. If not, I am prepared to sacrifice my life at the protest site.

* BJP leaders claim the MSP for Punjab’s wheat and paddy was raised, so why block highways?

Firstly, we are not blocking highways – it is the Haryana government preventing us from marching peacefully. Most Punjab farmers grow wheat and paddy due to a lack of assured MSP for other crops. While an MSP is listed for 24 crops, implementation is poor. Experts stress the need to shift from water-guzzling paddy to save groundwater, but diversification is impossible without guaranteed MSPs on alternatives.

Punjab’s cotton belt has shrunk due to pest attacks and limited MSP purchases by the Cotton Corporation of India. Farmers face immense challenges, and an MSP guarantee is crucial. While I can’t speak for other states, Punjab’s fight will benefit farmers nationwide.

* Why and how did you become part of farmers’ unions?

During my student life, I had no interest in farmers’ unions. However, in the 1980s, my elder brother became the treasurer of a village-level unit of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU). Since I was good with accounts, I helped him maintain records, which were praised at a district meeting. The union members, noticing my contribution, asked me to become the block president of Sadik in Faridkot district. Reluctantly, I agreed and soon realised the struggles farmers faced.

Later, I became the Faridkot district president for BKU, which eventually split into various unions over ideological differences. In the mid-2000s, under the leadership of Pishora Singh Sidhupur, the BKU (Sidhupur) was formed. I was the district president then and became its working president in 2017. After Pishora Singh’s passing, I was elected state president in March 2018. Under my leadership, BKU (Sidhupur) expanded from seven to 20 districts in Punjab.

* How was the SKM (non-political) formed?

The SKM (non-political) was established in July 2022. During the Delhi protests against the (three now-repealed) farm laws, BKU (Sidhupur) was part of the SKM. After the laws were repealed, some unions contested the Punjab Assembly elections (by forming the political party Samyukta Samaj Morcha), but most later rejoined the SKM. Disagreeing with their political stance, I parted ways and, along with like-minded unions, formed the SKM (non-political) to focus solely on farmers’ rights.

* What is your message to farmers across the country?

During the suspension of the previous movement (the 2020-21 protests), farmers from several states had complained that the stir was being called off prematurely, and it should have continued until the MSP guarantee Act was passed. At that time, due to pressure from some other organisations, we had to suspend the protest early. However, now a strong protest is underway again, and I have staked my life to ensure an MSP guarantee for the farmers of the country. I have done hunger strikes in the past as well, but this time it is aar paar ki ladai (do-or-die battle). On November 25, 2024 I made my will and transferred my land to my daughter-in-law, son and grandson. I will not get up until our demands are met. It is now the responsibility of the farmers across the nation to participate enthusiastically in this movement. I appeal to the farmers of Punjab, Haryana and other states to unite and join this struggle.