Jagjit Singh Dallewal Ends 4-Month Hunger Strike After Supreme Court’s Direction
Chandigarh, March 28, 2025 — After more than four months of a relentless hunger strike, prominent farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has finally ended his indefinite fast by drinking water today. The news was officially confirmed by the Punjab government during a Supreme Court hearing on Friday.
Dallewal, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike for 4 months and 11 days, took this step following consistent efforts from the court and a dedicated negotiation team formed to persuade him to end the protest. A special bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N.K. Singh was informed by Punjab’s Advocate General, Gurvinder Singh, that Dallewal has resumed consuming fluids, marking the formal end of his protest.
The bench appreciated Dallewal’s commitment and described him as a “true farmers’ leader” with no political agenda. The judges also noted that they were aware of certain elements attempting to derail the resolution of farmers’ issues. “We are here for a reason and fully informed about the situation,” the bench stated, highlighting the court’s dedication to addressing farmers’ concerns.
Supreme Court’s Role and Relief for Punjab Officers
The Supreme Court had previously issued orders to facilitate Dallewal’s access to medical treatment and sought a resolution to the ongoing farmers’ protest. The matter escalated when contempt proceedings were initiated against Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) and Chief Secretary due to their failure to implement the court’s medical orders. However, with the current progress, the apex court has now withdrawn the contempt proceedings, offering significant relief to the Punjab administration.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court has instructed a three-member committee, headed by a retired High Court judge, to submit a status report detailing the developments and negotiations concerning the farmers’ demands. This committee will closely monitor the situation and report on the progress made in addressing the grievances of the farmers.
Farmers Vacate Borders, Highways Reopened
Another crucial update shared during the hearing was that all protesting farmers have now been removed from the Khannauri and Shambhu borders. As a result, several highways and roads that had been blocked for months due to the farmers’ sit-in have now been cleared. The free movement of vehicles and goods has been restored after over a year of disruptions.
The Punjab government emphasized that the clearing of protest sites was achieved without any major incident, and all barricades installed on the Haryana-Punjab borders have also been dismantled, significantly easing public movement.
Background of the Protest
The farmer’s agitation, which started over a year ago, had gained momentum with demands focused on issues like the implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees, loan waivers, and better compensation for crops. The situation further escalated after a meeting on March 19, 2025, between farmer representatives, the central government, and Punjab officials. Following the meeting, several farmer leaders were detained, and security forces were deployed at Khannauri and Shambhu to remove protesters.
This decisive action eventually led to the vacating of long-standing protest sites. Despite multiple rounds of talks and court interventions, Dallewal remained steadfast in his hunger strike until today’s breakthrough.
Farmers Await Further Developments
While Dallewal’s hunger strike has ended, farmers and their unions are now waiting for the status report and further government action regarding their key demands. The farming community continues to closely observe the situation, hoping for a favorable and long-term resolution.
The Supreme Court’s statement made it clear that the judiciary is committed to ensuring that the genuine concerns of farmers are addressed effectively, without political interference.
