Chandigarh, December 26
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, today visited the Khanauri border to meet farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 31 days. Sandhwan was accompanied by several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, including Narinder Kaur Bharaj and Kulwant Singh Pandori, in a show of solidarity with the ongoing farmers' struggle.
Speaking on the occasion, Kultar Singh Sandhwan lauded Jagjit Singh Dallewal's commitment to humanity and the welfare of farmers. "Dallewal Sahib is not just fighting for his home or Punjab; he is leading the fight for farmers across the nation. Ensuring MSP (Minimum Support Price) for farmers will not only strengthen Punjab but will also fortify the nation as a whole," he said.
Highlighting the farmers’ contributions, Sandhwan urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to their demands. “The farmers of this country, whose ancestors fought for India’s independence and whose children sacrifice their lives daily for the nation, deserve to be heard. Ignoring their plight is equivalent to ignoring the nation itself,” he emphasized.
Sandhwan expressed deep concern over Dallewal's deteriorating health and cautioned the central government against testing the patience of Punjabis. "If the nation is to be saved, MSP must be guaranteed. The demands of farmers cannot be sidelined any longer," he said, adding that the newly proposed draft by the government appears to be another attempt to evade the core issues.
Drawing comparisons with other countries Sandhwan said, "In the United States, only 1% of the population are farmers, yet they receive substantial subsidies. Here, where 80% of people depend on farming, the government is trying to push them out of agriculture to benefit corporate giants like Adani."
Sandhwan appealed to the media and the public to recognize that this is not just Dallewal's personal fight but a battle for Punjab and the entire nation. "Punjab’s farmers will continue to fight for their land and rights, just as they have always stood for the nation,” he declared.
The Speaker assured that AAP remains committed to supporting the farmers. “Yesterday, a high-level delegation of our party met Jagjit Dallewal. Punjab AAP President Aman Arora has discussed this issue at both the party and government levels. As Speaker, I will do everything within my capacity in the Vidhan Sabha to address this issue,” Sandhwan stated.
He also highlighted the Punjab government’s continuous efforts to engage with the Centre on this matter. "Our Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar recently met central officials to push for solutions. We are leaving no stone unturned in advocating for farmers’ rights,” he affirmed.
Sandhwan also shared that he has been raising awareness about the farmers' struggle during his visits to schools and colleges. He urged everyone to support this fight, emphasizing that it is a struggle for the soul of the nation.