BATHINDA: Punjab farmer-activist Jagjit Singh Dallewal agreed on Saturday to accept medical aid after nearly two months of an indefinite hunger strike at Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border, pressing for legal guarantees for MSP among other demands.
The decision came late Saturday after Centre consented to hold a meeting with farmer forums in Chandigarh on Feb 14 to discuss their demands. The Feb date was chosen for the meeting because of the model code of conduct in force for assembly elections in Delhi.
Dallewal (70), a cancer patient, has been fasting since Nov 26. Although he agreed to medical intervention, Dallewal said he will continue his fast-unto-death, refusing meals until the demands are met. A decision regarding the fast of 121 other farmers is expected Sunday.
Saturday’s announcement was made at Khanauri after Union agriculture ministry’s joint secretary Priya Ranjan read out a letter about the upcoming meeting and handed it over to the protesting farmers. Ranjan emphasised govt’s concern for Dallewal’s health. “Our delegation came with a proposal from central govt, and we were asked to speak to the leaders of farmer forums,” he said.
Dallewal’s health has deteriorated since he addressed from a stage a mahapanchayat amid severe cold at Khanauri protest site on Jan 4. The medical team monitoring his health has cautioned that the septuagenarian may not fully recover even if he ends his hunger strike.
According to sources, he has been vomiting regularly the past 72 hours, prompting fears of a worsened situation. Supreme Court had repeatedly urged Punjab govt to convince Dallewal to accept medical aid, even while continuing his fast. The court had also requested his medical reports for expert opinion from AIIMS, New Delhi.
Saturday’s meeting involving Ranjan, Punjab officials and farmers’ leaders lasted nearly two hours, with the first signs of progress emerging at 7 pm, culminating in the announcement of medical aid around 10.15 pm.
The farmers also consented to Dallewal accepting medical intervention. It was declared that if Dallewal did not accept the appeal, all farmers would begin their own fast. As night fell, many farmers assembled near the stage, usually deserted due to the extreme cold.
The decision came late Saturday after Centre consented to hold a meeting with farmer forums in Chandigarh on Feb 14 to discuss their demands. The Feb date was chosen for the meeting because of the model code of conduct in force for assembly elections in Delhi.
Dallewal (70), a cancer patient, has been fasting since Nov 26. Although he agreed to medical intervention, Dallewal said he will continue his fast-unto-death, refusing meals until the demands are met. A decision regarding the fast of 121 other farmers is expected Sunday.
Saturday’s announcement was made at Khanauri after Union agriculture ministry’s joint secretary Priya Ranjan read out a letter about the upcoming meeting and handed it over to the protesting farmers. Ranjan emphasised govt’s concern for Dallewal’s health. “Our delegation came with a proposal from central govt, and we were asked to speak to the leaders of farmer forums,” he said.
Dallewal’s health has deteriorated since he addressed from a stage a mahapanchayat amid severe cold at Khanauri protest site on Jan 4. The medical team monitoring his health has cautioned that the septuagenarian may not fully recover even if he ends his hunger strike.
According to sources, he has been vomiting regularly the past 72 hours, prompting fears of a worsened situation. Supreme Court had repeatedly urged Punjab govt to convince Dallewal to accept medical aid, even while continuing his fast. The court had also requested his medical reports for expert opinion from AIIMS, New Delhi.
Saturday’s meeting involving Ranjan, Punjab officials and farmers’ leaders lasted nearly two hours, with the first signs of progress emerging at 7 pm, culminating in the announcement of medical aid around 10.15 pm.
The farmers also consented to Dallewal accepting medical intervention. It was declared that if Dallewal did not accept the appeal, all farmers would begin their own fast. As night fell, many farmers assembled near the stage, usually deserted due to the extreme cold.
