On the 24th day of his hunger strike, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s condition reached a critical stage. The 70-year-old cancer patient, who is on an indefinite fast at the Punjab-Haryana Khanauri border, fainted and vomited on Thursday, raising alarm among doctors and supporters.
Doctors attending to Dallewal warned that his life is “hanging by a thread”. Dr Abhiraj, part of the medical team from the 5 Rivers Heart Association, an NGO, stated that Dallewal’s blood pressure had dropped significantly. “He is at risk of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure. Ketones in his body are alarmingly high, and the electrolyte imbalance could lead to cardiac arrest at any moment,” said Dr Abhiraj.
According to farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar, Dallewal’s condition worsened after he attempted to take a bath. “He felt dizzy, fainted, and vomited. Doctors managed to stabilize his blood pressure temporarily with massages, but his condition remains extremely serious,” Kohar reported.
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Punjab government to convince Dallewal to undergo a thorough medical examination. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s failure to conduct medical tests on the farmer leader earlier. A panel of senior government doctors has since conducted an ECG and other medical tests.
Why is Dallewal protest fasting?
Dallewal is protesting to demand a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, a long-standing demand of farmers across the country. The issue gained renewed attention earlier this week when a parliamentary panel recommended a legally binding MSP to address farmer suicides and provide financial stability to the agricultural sector.
Farmer leaders assert that the demands are based on promises made by various governments. Kohar reiterated, “These are not just our demands but promises made to us by different governments.”
The Khanauri border protest site has become a focal point for political activity. Congress leaders, including MPs Deepender Hooda, Jaiprakash, and MLAs from Haryana, visited Dallewal to inquire about his health. Hooda criticized the government for its inaction, stating, “The government should immediately accept the farmers’ demand for an MSP guarantee and end Dallewal ji’s hunger strike.”
Balkaur Singh, father of slain singer Sidhu Moosewala, also visited the site, along with Akali leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundar and Simranjit Singh Mann. Bhundar urged the Centre to fulfill the farmers’ demands and resolve the issue amicably.
As Dallewal’s health deteriorates, pressure mounts on the government to take immediate action. Political leaders and farmer unions have urged the Centre to initiate talks and implement the MSP guarantee promised during the 2021 farmers’ movement.
