Dallewal urges Dhankhar to take up farmers’ cause

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) convener Jagjit Singh Dallewal today appealed to Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar to pressure the Centre to resolve farmer issues, including legal guarantee on MSP for crops, implementation of the Swaminathan report, besides waiving farmers’ loan.

The appeal was made by Dallewal from the Khanauri protest site where his indefinite fast entered Day 7 today. He has reportedly lost over 8 kg weight since November 26. During a medical check-up, his blood pressure was found to be 146/96, pulse rate 96 per minute, sugar level 74 mg per cent and body temperature 94°F.

Dallewal said Dhankhar occupied the second most powerful seat in the country so he could pressure the Centre to resolve farmers’ issues. He said some MPs had promised to table a private member’s Bill in the ongoing session of Parliament in support of farmers’ issues. If they failed to do so, people would not hesitate from teaching them a lesson, he added.

Dallewal said the morcha leaders had not received any message for talks from the Centre. He said in case any mishap (sacrifice of a leader observing indefinite fast) occurred at the Khanauri border morcha site, it would become difficult for the Centre and the Punjab Government to control the people across Punjab and the country.

Dallewal said suicides by farmers could stop only after the Centre implemented the Swaminathan report, provided legal guarantee on MSP and waived loans of farmers. He said if the government really wanted to save the farming community, it should accept its demands. He said the farmers had been camping at Shambhu, Khanauri and Rattanpura borders for the past 10 months, but nobody had listened to their voice.