Synopsis
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced the postponement of a planned foot march to Delhi, urging the Central government to initiate discussions on a Minimum Support Price guarantee law. The march was originally set for January 21 but has now been rescheduled to January 26 to allow more time for dialogue.Key Takeaways
- Postponement of January 21 farmers' march.
- Call for urgent talks with the Central government.
- Focus on Minimum Support Price guarantee law.
- Ongoing hunger strike by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
- Shambhu remains a key protest site.
Chandigarh, Jan 20 (NationPress) Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher declared on Monday that the planned foot march of 101 farmers to Delhi on January 21 has been postponed, emphasizing the necessity for the Central government to engage in discussions regarding their demands for a guarantee law concerning the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce.
"This is not a condition; it is a request," stated the convener of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, addressing the media at Shambhu, the border between Punjab and Haryana. He urged the Centre to convene a meeting in Delhi before February 14, instead of Chandigarh as previously suggested.
"Initially, we had announced that a ‘jatha’ of 101 farmers would proceed towards Delhi on January 21. After discussions, both forums have opted to defer it until January 26 to provide additional time for the government.
"Further decisions will be made on January 26… This is not an ultimatum but a plea to the government to expedite a meeting in New Delhi, as this issue directly pertains to farmers and their ongoing protest," he explained.
Previously, Pandher indicated that the farmers would march to Delhi, accusing the Central government of attempting to sow division among the farmers.
Despite the Centre's proposal for negotiations, fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has declared his intention to continue his hunger strike until an MSP guarantee law is established.
Although he accepted medical assistance late Saturday night, his health remains precarious.
Medical professionals have raised alarms regarding Dallewal's health, a cancer patient who has been on a hunger strike since November 26, marking 56 days.
The 121 protesting farmers, including 10 from Haryana, concluded their fast-unto-death on Sunday after the Central government agreed on Saturday to arrange a meeting with farmers' forums in Chandigarh to address their demands.
These farmers had been fasting in solidarity with the 70-year-old Dallewal.
A delegation from the Union agriculture ministry, led by Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan, met with Dallewal on Saturday evening and held discussions with representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, who have been leading the agitation for nearly 11 months.
Security forces deployed tear gas as protesting farmers made three attempts to march towards Delhi at Shambhu border.
Shambhu, located near Ambala on National Highway-1, has been a focal point of farmers' protests for almost a year.
