By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent figure in the ongoing farmers’ protest, ended his indefinite hunger strike on Sunday after nearly five months. His fast, which began on November 26, 2024, had become a powerful symbol of the persistent demand for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other pressing issues raised by protesting farmers across the country.

Dallewal, a senior leader from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), announced the end of his fast during a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Sirhind, Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib district. The announcement followed personal appeals by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, who urged Dallewal to prioritise his health and continue contributing to the movement through leadership and dialogue.

His hunger strike was part of the broader resurgence of farmers’ protests that gained momentum in late 2024, with fresh demands to the Centre—primarily for a legal MSP framework, compensation for protest casualties and withdrawal of pending cases from earlier agitations.

Protest pressure builds as talks with Centre resume

Though the Centre invited farmer leaders for dialogue in January, Dallewal refused to end his fast, even as he began receiving medical assistance at the Khanauri protest site. His decision to now step back from the hunger strike signals a shift from passive resistance to renewed engagement in negotiations, with the next round of talks between farmer unions and the Centre scheduled for May 4.

The end of Dallewal’s fast does not mark the end of the movement. The farmers’ protest remains active in various parts of Punjab, Haryana, and bordering areas of Delhi, with continued dharnas and mobilisations pressing the government to meet the core demands.

Union ministers, while expressing concern over Dallewal’s health, reiterated that discussions are ongoing and that the government is open to resolving issues through dialogue. Dallewal’s step is being seen by many within the movement as a strategic pause that allows the leadership to regroup and strengthen the push for results.

The hunger strike, which ran parallel to wider demonstrations and tractor marches, had become a rallying point for thousands of farmers. Its conclusion comes at a crucial moment, as farmer groups aim to maintain momentum and public pressure without compromising the health and safety of key leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday brutally needled Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, asking where was Tamil pride when DMK leaders were sending him letters signed off in the English language instead of Tamil.

Pointing to a discrepancy in Stalin’s actions versus his rhetoric about Tamil pride during a public gathering in Rameshwaram, Modi said, “These leaders from Tamil Nadu boast about their language’s pride, yet their letters to me are always signed in English. Why not use Tamil? Where is their Tamil pride?” This comment alluded to Stalin’s recent correspondence urging the central government to release education funds.

Modi countered claims of insufficient funding, asserting that since 2014, his government has allocated three times more development funds to Tamil Nadu than the previous UPA regime, in which the DMK was a partner.

Speaking at the event, he highlighted that Tamil Nadu’s railway budget has surged sevenfold. “Some people just complain unnecessarily,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Modi inaugurated the first train on the New Pamban Bridge. He also outlined central government initiatives in Tamil Nadu, noting that the railway budget rose from ₹900 crore annually before 2014 to over ₹6,000 crore now.

Additionally, he mentioned that 12 lakh families in Tamil Nadu received sturdy homes, and 1.1 crore families gained tap water connections for the first time, significantly benefiting women.

The exchange reflects ongoing tensions between Tamil Nadu’s DMK-led government and the Centre, particularly over the National Education Policy 2020’s three-language formula.

Stalin has accused the policy of imposing Hindi and eroding linguistic diversity and Tamil heritage, while also claiming the Centre withheld education funds due to the state’s rejection of the NEP.

Following his three-day visit to Sri Lanka, PM Modi, upon arriving in Tamil Nadu, planned to offer prayers at the Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram and lay the foundation for several rail and road projects valued over Rs 8,300 crore in the state.

En route from Sri Lanka, PM Modi captured an aerial view of the Ram Setu, also known as Adams Bridge, and shared it online.

“On the way back from Sri Lanka a short while ago, was blessed to have a Darshan of the Ram Setu. And, as a divine coincidence, it happened at the same time as the Surya Tilak was taking place in Ayodhya. Blessed to have the Darshan of both. Prabhu Shri Ram is a uniting force for all of us. May His blessings always remain upon us,” he posted on X.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent comments questioning the direction of India’s startup ecosystem have ignited a fiery debate. Speaking at Startup Mahakumbh, Goyal asked whether India should settle for building apps that deliver groceries and ice cream while countries like China push the envelope on semiconductors, EVs, and AI.

“Should we make ice cream (delivery apps) or make chips (semiconductors)? Do we just want to sell things?” Goyal questioned, critiquing what he called a focus on “dukaandari.”

While his remarks drew criticism from parts of the startup community, boAT co-founder Aman Gupta came out in support, calling it a motivational push rather than a dismissal. “Piyush Goyal ji isn’t against founders. His point was simple — we’ve come far, now let’s aim higher,” Gupta said.

Founders respond with fire and facts

The statement didn’t land well with all. Zepto co-founder Aadit Palicha defended consumer internet startups, citing job creation, tax contributions, and innovation. “If 1.5 lakh people earning livelihoods on Zepto isn’t Indian innovation, I don’t know what is,” he said in a detailed LinkedIn post.

Others like Ashneer Grover pointed out that even China’s tech evolution began with food delivery and scaled up. “Maybe it’s time politicians aspire for 10%+ GDP growth before chiding job creators,” he quipped.

Industry veterans call for support, not criticism

Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai stressed the need for government backing, not belittlement, reminding that policy hurdles like Angel Tax and regulatory blocks have long slowed down India’s deep-tech aspirations. Shaadi.com’s Anupam Mittal echoed the sentiment, saying that while deep-tech startups do exist, they lack capital and commercialization support.

Despite the heat, Goyal stood firm, accusing the Opposition of twisting his remarks, and reaffirmed confidence in Indian youth: “Young Indians are ready to capture the world.”