New Delhi: Punjab farmer leaders have issued a stern warning to Centre over the deteriorating health of 70-year-ol Jagjit Singh Dallewal who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26. Dallewal is protesting for a legal guarantee of MSP for crops and other farmer demands. His condition has worsened in recent days with fluctuating blood pressure and potential kidney issues.
Farmer leaders have now said that if something untoward happens to Dallewal, the situation could spiral beyond the control of the central government. “God forbid if anything untoward happens to Dallewal ji, then perhaps the situation may not remain under control of the Central government,” news agency PTI quoted a protesting farmer as saying. The farmer added that the government should take immediate steps to prevent the situation from escalating.
Dallewal no longer able to communicate
Dr Avtar Singh, a member of the medical team from the ‘5 Rivers Heart Association’, confirmed that Dallewal’s blood pressure had dropped. Despite this, Dallewal has refused to receive medical aid. The government, through a team of doctors, has examined Dallewal at the Khanauri border, but farmers report that his health remains critical and that he is no longer able to communicate.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) has vowed to continue its fight for the rights of farmers. “If anything happens to Dallewal, then there will be a ‘blot’ on the tenure of the present government at the Centre which may never be cleaned,” another farmer said.
Tractor rallies across India on Jan 26
Farmer leaders also denounced the Centre’s handling of the situation, claiming that it was unprecedented for a government to ignore a hunger strike of such significance, even during British rule. As a response to the government’s indifference, farmers have announced plans for countrywide protests. On January 10, effigies of the BJP-led government will be burnt across India to highlight the Centre’s neglect towards the demands of farmers. On January 13, farmers will burn copies of the draft policy on the ‘National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing’.
The protesting farmers have also announced tractors rally in various parts of the country on January 26. The farmers affirmed that the tractor marches would serve as a reminder to the government of the ongoing struggle for farmers’ rights. The farmers have been on protest since February 13, 2024 at the Shambhu and Khanauri points of Punjab and Haryana borders after they were stopped from marching to Delhi.
