New Delhi: The health of farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has sharply worsened. Dallewal’s condition has raised concerns after he addressed a mahapanchayat on Saturday, despite severe weakness. He has been on a fast-unto-death for 42 days at the Punjab-Haryana border in Khanauri. Demanding a legal guarantee for MSP and other commitments made to farmers by the Centre, Dallewal began his fast on November 26.
Doctors attending to Dallewal reported a major decline in his glomerular filtration rate, indicating his kidneys are struggling to filter waste effectively, according to a Times of India report. Liver problems have also been detected, and the doctors have cautioned that even if he ends his fast, he might not fully recover. Dallewal has been experiencing persistent vomiting, uneasiness, and an inability to speak clearly since Saturday evening.
SC set to hear contempt petition today
Despite his condition, Dallewal insisted on addressing the large gathering at the mahapanchayat, calling on farmers to mobilise in their fight for a legal guarantee of the MSP. He also urged farmers from Punjab to send one tractor-trailer from each of the state’s 13,000 villages to the Khanauri protest site. Following the address, his health deteriorated further, with a drop in blood pressure and continued vomiting.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is set to hear a petition on Monday, seeking contempt proceedings against Punjab chief secretary KAP Sinha and director general of police Gaurav Yadav for allegedly failing to implement its orders to shift Dallewal to a hospital.
Dallewal refuses to accept medical aid
The court in an earlier hearing had expressed concern over media reports suggesting it was pressuring Dallewal to break his fast. Justice Surya Kant clarified, “Our direction was not to break his fast. We only said his health must be safeguarded while allowing him to continue his peaceful protest in a hospital.” The court also highlighted the importance of persuading Dallewal to accept medical care to prevent further harm to his health.
Dallewal has refused to accept medical aid despite efforts by the police and doctors. A team of doctors continues to monitor his condition closely.
