The sixth meeting between the agitating farmers and the Center will be held in Chandigarh today (22 February) regarding the minimum support price (MSP) and other demands. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chauhan, Prahlad Joshi and officials will attend the meeting. On behalf of the farmers, 28 farmer leaders will reach under the leadership of Joint Kisan Morcha (non-political) chief Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher.
Dallewal will be brought to Chandigarh from Khanauri border via ambulance. Dallewal also attended the meeting on 14 February. Then he had said that the meeting of farmers with the Center was positive.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says that the program to march to Delhi on 25 February is fixed. If we did not lose on the ground, we will not lose on table talk either. If there is a positive response in the talks, then changes are certain.
Candle march taken out to pay tribute to Shubkaran
On Friday, farmers celebrated the death anniversary of young farmer Shubkaran Singh who was killed while trying to march to Delhi. On this occasion, a statue of Shubhkaran was installed in Ballo village in Bathinda and tribute was paid to him. At the same time, tribute ceremonies were organized at Shambhu, Khanauri and Ratanpur border, as well as a candle march was also organized here. A large number of farmers participated in these.
Shubkaran died on 21 February 2024. When the farmers were moving towards Delhi from Khanauri border. During this, Shubhkaran was shot in a clash between the police and the farmers and he died. The farmers alleged that Shubhkaran died due to the bullet fired by Haryana Police. However, the police had rejected all these allegations.
1. HC asked to open Shambhu border, Haryana government went to Supreme Court
In February 2024, Haryana Police closed the road by barricading to stop the farmers at Shambhu border. Against this, the traders of Ambala filed a petition in the High Court. The High Court ordered to open the border within a week. But, the Haryana government went to the Supreme Court against this. The Supreme Court has held 10 hearings in this case. During this time, a committee was also formed under the leadership of a retired Justice, which could settle the matter by mediating between the farmers and the government, but the farmers’ agitation continues.
2. Tried to march to Delhi 3 times
After the Center also stopped the talks, the farmers decided to march to Delhi. But, the Haryana government refused to give permission to go to Delhi with tractors. After this, a group of 101 farmers were sent to Delhi. However, the Haryana Police also stopped them at the barricading of Shambhu border. The farmers tried to march to Delhi on 6, 8 and 14 December, but the police stopped them all three times. Tear gas shells were fired at the farmers.
3. Dallewal started a hunger strike, the matter reached the SC
Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Dallewal announced a hunger strike after transferring the property in the name of his son, daughter-in-law and grandson. However, on 26 November 2024, before the hunger strike, the Punjab Police took him into custody. But, he started the hunger strike there itself. Under pressure from the farmers, the Punjab Police released him on 1 December. His hunger strike has been going on since then.
Meanwhile, the matter reached the Supreme Court. But, Dallewal refused to take medical help. There were about 10 hearings in the court regarding his health. After which the Center invited him for talks on 14 February. Then Dallewal agreed to medical facilities.
The 5th round of meeting of the Central Government and the delegation of agitating farmers was held in Chandigarh on 14 February. 28 farmer leaders attended the meeting. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi expressed concern over the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal. No solution was found in the meeting that lasted for about 3 and a half hours.
