NEW DELHI: Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on the 41st day of a hunger strike demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) and other farmer-related issues, is facing severe health complications. Doctors and leaders from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) revealed on Sunday that Dallewal is “not able to speak” and has experienced dizziness and vomiting, raising concerns about his condition.
The 70-year-old has steadfastly refused medical aid despite multiple interventions by the Punjab government, acting under Supreme Court directives.
Dallewal, the convener of the SKM (non-political), has been protesting at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26. On Saturday, during a farmers’ gathering, he was brought on a stretcher to address the crowd while lying in a bed on stage. His speech emphasised that farmers’ welfare was more important than his own life.
Following 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 he was being taken 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 mounting 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 Punjab’s chief secretary and police chief on Monday, previously criticised the state government for failing to provide medical aid and questioned the role of farmers resisting 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 instructed the government to decide on Dallewal’s hospitalisation, but no significant progress has been made.
Farmers under the banners of SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha continue to rally at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points, urging authorities to fulfil their demands.
Meanwhile, Dallewal has called for nationwide solidarity, urging villages across Punjab to send support to the protest site. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced plans to observe Guru Gobind Singh’s Gurpurab at the Shambhu border on Monday, reinforcing their commitment to the movement.
