Hours before Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent farmers’ leader and coordinator of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), was to commence his fast-unto-death protest at the Khanauri border in Punjab’s Sangrur district, the Patiala police forcibly intervened. In the early hours of Constitution Day, November 26, the police arrived at the protest site and moved Dallewal to Ludhiana’s Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.
Eyewitnesses, while speaking to Indian Express, described the operation as sudden and forceful. Amrik Singh of the Bharti Kisan Union (Sidhupur) recounted, “The police came at 2:30 am and broke the fibreglass wall of the temporary room where Dallewal ji was sleeping. When he refused to open the door, they forcibly entered and took him to an undisclosed location.”
While speaking to IE, Singh added that over 250 officers participated in the operation, locking the farmers in their huts or trolley homes to prevent resistance. Balpreet Singh, a close associate of Dallewal, described the swiftness of the operation: “I was held back by the police and couldn’t even reach my phone to document what happened. Within two minutes, they had taken Pradhan ji (Dallewal).”
Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), criticised the heavy-handedness of the security forces. “This joint operation by the Punjab Police, Haryana Police, and central forces is a blatant violation of our constitutional right to protest. We strongly condemn these actions and demand transparency regarding Dallewal’s whereabouts.”
Despite assurances from Dr Nanak Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Patiala, that Dallewal was moved for medical reasons due to his age and cancer diagnosis, farmer unions remain sceptical. They claim that the act was a deliberate attempt to disrupt their movement on Constitution Day, a day that symbolises the protection of fundamental rights, including the right to protest.
Farmers’ demands and the context of the protest
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, had announced on November 25 regarding his decision to launch a fast-unto-death protest. This protest was aimed at pressing for the implementation of a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops—a long-standing demand of Indian farmers. This announcement coincided with the fourth anniversary of the historic farmers’ protests that began on November 26, 2020, against the now-repealed three farm laws.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have accused the government of failing to engage with farmers on critical issues since February 18, 2024. Key demands of the protesting farmers include:
- Implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations for fair pricing.
- Farm debt waivers and pensions for farmers and agricultural labourers.
- Compensation for families of farmers who lost their lives during the earlier 2020-2021 protests.
- Justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence of 2021.
- Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and withdrawal of police cases against protesting farmers.
- Prevention of electricity tariff hikes and measures to support small-scale farmers.
Despite months of demonstrations at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 2024, the government has made no progress in addressing these demands. As the government continues to stall, the frustration among farmers has intensified.
More about the February farmers protest can be read here.
Intensifying the struggle and the question of fundamental rights
The forcible removal of Dallewal has provoked widespread anger among farmer unions. In response, the BKU (Sidhupur) and SKM (non-political) have called for farmers to gather in large numbers at the Khanauri border. Additionally, Chetavni rallies (warning rallies) have been planned across 500 districts in India, with central trade unions joining the movement. A Delhi Chalo march has also been scheduled for December 6, 2024 starting from the Shambhu border, further raising the stakes.
Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu has shifted the blame entirely to the Punjab government, led by Bhagwant Mann. “This was orchestrated by the state police. The Centre has always supported farmers and would not resort to such actions,” Bittu claimed, though his statement has done little to placate the agitated farmer community.
This incident raises fundamental questions about the erosion of democratic principles, especially on Constitution Day—a day meant to reaffirm commitments to justice, liberty, and equality. The right to peaceful protest, enshrined under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, has been repeatedly challenged in recent years, particularly when it comes to mass movements like those led by farmers. The use of force to suppress dissent reflects an alarming trend of undermining civil liberties, as highlighted by the unannounced and forceful detention of Dallewal.
The protestors assert that such actions will only strengthen their resolve. Farmer leader Dallewal, before being detained, stated, “I am ready to sacrifice my life for this cause. This fight will continue until the government addresses our demands.” As the agitation gains momentum, the larger question remains: will the government respect the constitutional right to dissent, or will it continue to view protests as a threat to be quelled by force?
Separate ongoing protests against forced land acquisition by UP government
Farmers affected by forced land acquisition under various Uttar Pradesh governments gathered today, on November 26, in a massive Kisan Mahapanchayat outside the offices of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA). For over two years, these farmers have been engaged in a sustained struggle, demanding the return of the 10% developed plots they were promised but never received.
The Mahapanchayat, organised under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), brought together farmers from more than 200 villages in Gautam Buddha Nagar district. The event marked the launch of a renewed fight for justice, with active participation and leadership from the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in the region.
Farmers who suffered forced land acquisition by different UP governments and have been demanding return of promised 10% developed plots for the last two years in a near continuous movement converged today in a mega Kisan Mahapanchayat outside the Greater Noida Industrial (1/n) pic.twitter.com/wCwFNJmF2m
— AIKS (@KisanSabha) November 25, 2024
Listen to Comrade Pushpendra Tyagi, CKC member of AIKS explain why farmers have gathered in such a massive way today outside Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority’s office today. pic.twitter.com/yYbQuEmss9
— AIKS (@KisanSabha) November 25, 2024
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