Ensure MSP or be ready for my sacrifice, Dallewal writes to PM

In an emotional letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said he was a common farmer who’s ‘willing to sacrifice his life for the cause of farming community’.

Advertisement

The letter, which bore Dallewal’s thumb impression with blood, states that he has been on indefinite fast for the past 17 days and ‘this was his first and last letter to him’.

“I also want to make it clear that all our 13 demands, including legal guarantee on the MSP, were assured to us by the Centre in 2011. You have two choices to make. Either you can fulfil the promises made to us in 2011 and make MSP a legal guarantee or be prepared to accept my sacrifice,” reads the letter dated December 12.

The letter further mentions in case of any untoward incident or loss of life due to the police action at the Khanauri, Shambhu or Ratanpura morcha, the PM will be fully responsible. “Pardhan Mantriji, it is entirely your call to decide whether you will give legal guarantee on the MSP or take sacrifice from an ordinary farmer like me,” concludes the letter. Meanwhile, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher said their third ‘Marjeevda Jatha’ of 101 farmers would begin its foot march towards Delhi on December 14.

He said the decision to send the ‘jatha’ (group) was taken following a meeting of the KMM and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) at the Shambhu border. “We have waited a lot. No formal invitation has been sent by the Centre for talks,” he added.

“We appeal to all fellow citizens to keep fast in support of Dallewal as our agitation completes 10 months on Friday,” said Pandher. Speaking on the open letter written by Dallewal on behalf of the KMM and the SKM (Non-political) to PM Modi, Pandher said the major demands include legal guarantee for MSP on all crops and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations.

Today, a three-member medical team of the Punjab Government visited the Khanauri border and took samples of Dallewal. The medical team confirmed that the farm leader has become very weak.

SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Centre and the state government should give up their stubborn attitude and accept the legitimate demands of farmers.