NEW DELHI: Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewalwhich is on day 41 of a hunger strike demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) and other issues related to farmers, faces serious health complications. Doctors and leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) revealed on Sunday that Dallewal “cannot speak” and has experienced dizziness and vomiting, raising concerns about his condition.
The 70-year-old has steadfastly refused medical assistance despite multiple interventions by the Punjab government, acting on directives from the Supreme Court.
Dallewal, the leader of the SKM (apolitical), has been protesting at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26. On Saturday, during a farmers’ meeting, he was carried on a stretcher to address the crowd while lying on a bed on stage. His speech emphasized that the welfare of farmers was more important than his own life.
After the event, Dallewal experienced severe dizziness and vomiting, according to Dr. Avtar Singh of the NGO 5 Rivers Heart Association, who is monitoring his condition.
“His blood pressure fluctuated significantly during the event. He felt dizzy and vomited when they took him back to his tent,” Dr Singh told news agency PTI. The SKM also reported that Dallewal has had multiple episodes of vomiting and can no longer stand or speak properly, adding that his kidney function is deteriorating.
Despite the growing health risks, Dallewal has rejected offers to move to a makeshift hospital set up near the protest site. The Supreme Court, which will hear a contempt petition against the Punjab chief secretary and police chief on Monday, earlier criticized the state government for not providing medical aid and questioned the role of farmers resisting the intervention.
The court noted that while Dallewal’s life is precious, it doubted the intentions of some farmer leaders and state officials. On December 20, the court ordered the government to decide on Dallewal’s hospitalization, but no significant progress has been made.
Farmers under the banners of SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha continue to demonstrate at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points, urging the authorities to meet their demands.
Meanwhile, Dallewal has called for nationwide solidarity and urged villages in Punjab to send support to the protest site. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced plans to observe Guru Gobind Singh’s Gurpurab on the Shambhu border on Monday, reinforcing his commitment to the movement.
