Farmers wear black clothes during their protest at the Khanauri border seeking a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, in Sangrur district, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2024.Photo: PTI Farmers wear black clothes during their protest at the Khanauri border seeking a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, in Sangrur district, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2024.Photo: PTI

The Centre has announced that it will hold a meeting with Punjab’s protesting farmers on February 14 in Chandigarh to discuss their long-standing demands, effectively breaking the deadlock that has persisted over the resumption of dialogue. 

The meeting is expected to end the protests led by the farmers demanding a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Following the announcement of the proposed meeting, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death for 54 days, agreed to take medical aid.

The breakthrough followed a crucial meeting between a delegation from the Union agriculture ministry, led by Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan, and representatives of the protesting farmers. Ranjan confirmed that the meeting would take place at 5 pm on February 14 at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh.

He said that the delegation had been sent in response to Dallewal's deteriorating health, urging him to take medical aid so that he could participate in the upcoming talks.

“We enquired about his health and held a meeting with the representatives of the protesting farmer bodies,” Ranjan said.

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However, Dallewal, who is leading the agitation under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), has made it clear that he will not end his indefinite fast until the legal guarantee for MSP is secured.

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Pictures of Dallewal receiving medical assistance, including an intravenous drip, were released by the farmers after he reluctantly agreed to medical intervention.

A letter inviting Dallewal and the farmer leaders to the meeting was sent by the Centre, expressing hope that Dallewal would end his fast and recover in time to attend the discussions. The letter read, “We hope that Dallewal will soon end his fast, recover and join the discussion.”

Farmer leaders had earlier called for Dallewal to take medical help so that he could attend the February 14 talks. The meeting will be attended by both Central and Punjab government officials, with discussions expected to centre on the farmers’ demands.

While Dallewal’s health condition remains critical, with reports indicating he has lost approximately 20 kilograms since starting his fast on November 26 last year, his condition has spurred urgent calls for action. 

Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar confirmed that doctors had warned of potential risks to Dallewal’s health, with the leader unable to consume water and suffering from vomiting.

In a show of solidarity, over 120 other farmers had joined Dallewal in his indefinite hunger strike. These farmers, who have been protesting at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points since February 2024, also pressed for a legal guarantee on MSP, which they say is crucial for securing their livelihoods.

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The meeting on February 14 follows several rounds of inconclusive talks held last year. Despite efforts by Union ministers to engage the farmers in dialogue, including four meetings in February 2024, no agreement had been reached on the farmers’ demands.

Farmer leaders have urged the government to resolve the issue swiftlygvg777, as the proposed meeting comes just days before the Model Code of Conduct for Delhi’s Assembly elections takes effect, preventing any new announcements from the government until after February 9.