Unyielding Standoff: Punjab Farmer Leader's Hunger Strike Continues Amid Releases

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal maintains his hunger strike despite taking water after detained farmers' release. The Punjab government faced criticism for claims that Dallewal ended his fast. His protest is focused on demands for a legal guarantee of minimum support prices for crops.

In an ongoing protest that has captured national attention, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has continued his indefinite hunger strike despite drinking water following the release of detained farmers by the Punjab Police. The situation arose after conflicting statements from the Punjab government led to confusion over the status of Dallewal's fast.

While state officials announced that Dallewal had concluded his strike, prominent figures from the farming community, including Abhimanyu Kohar, insisted that the hunger strike persisted. Dallewal, a senior leader in the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, demands a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) for crops, a longstanding issue in agricultural reform discussions.

The standoff has seen several farmer leaders temporarily detained, further intensifying negotiations between agricultural representatives and government officials. Despite taking medical aid, Dallewal has refrained from ending his protest until all demands are addressed. Released farmer leaders recently met Dallewal to show solidarity at a hospital where he receives treatment.

(With inputs from agencies.)