Farmer leaders arrested over a week ago were released from jails in Punjab. Emerging with clenched fists, the leaders marked the moment as a victory for their ongoing agitation against the central government. The arrests, made on March 19, followed a meeting between the protesting farmers and a ministerial delegation regarding their demands, which include a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and waivers for crop loans.
The crackdown had intensified tensions in Punjab, leading to widespread protests and demonstrations across several districts, with farmers’ unions and opposition parties condemning the government’s actions.
Those released included Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) leaders Kaka Singh Kotda and Abhimanyu Kohad.
Dallewal’s Hunger Strike
Meanwhile, Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh informed the Supreme Court that prominent farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal broke his indefinite fast on Friday. Dallewal had been on a hunger strike, refusing even water for the past eight days, as a mark of protest against the arrests of his fellow farm leaders. His deteriorating health had sparked concerns among supporters and activists, prompting calls for urgent intervention from political leaders and human rights organizations. He finally sipped water in the presence of Punjab government representatives after assurances were made regarding the release of the detainees. Additionally, he sought compensation for farmers whose belongings went missing from protest sites following last week’s police crackdown. Several protesters reported losing personal items, including mobile phones, tools, and essential supplies, in the chaos of the police action.
The Supreme Court acknowledged Dallewal as a “genuine farmer leader” and noted that certain elements had attempted to derail efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis. The apex court reiterated that it remains aware of the ground realities and is committed to ensuring a just resolution of the issues at hand. It further directed the Punjab government to file a fresh report on the prevailing situation and stated that it would consider requesting the Centre to take measures to address the grievances of the farmers. Additionally, the SC-appointed committee has been asked to submit a supplementary report focusing on the specific issues raised by the protesting farmers. This development has raised hopes among farmer groups that a structured dialogue with the government could lead to meaningful progress in addressing their long-standing concerns.
The legal battle over Dallewal’s detention saw a habeas corpus petition being filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. However, the petition was disposed of after the court was informed that Dallewal was neither in illegal confinement nor being held against his will. It was confirmed that he had been admitted to a hospital voluntarily and that his family had unrestricted access to meet him. Despite this clarification, many farm leaders remain skeptical of the government’s handling of the situation and have vowed to continue their protests until concrete measures are taken to fulfill their demands.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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