Lives of farmers on brink of suicide more important than mine, says Dallewal as his fast-unto-death enters Day 19

“At the same time, I want to remind the Union government of their promise to make MSP (minimum support price for crops) a legal guarantee, to implement the Swaminathan Report, and waive the debts of farmers,” he added.

“The Supreme Court has said that Dallewal should be given medical help… But that doesn’t authorise either the state or central government to forcibly take me to the hospital. If they do any such thing again and if anything happens at that morcha afterwards, the Modi government will be responsible,” Dallewal cautioned.

On Friday, Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant, presiding over a two-judge bench, asked the central and Punjab governments to ensure proper medical aid for Dallewal “without forcing him to break his fast,” adding, “His life is more precious than agitations…”.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders Rakesh Tikait and Harinder Singh Lakhowal and other farmer leaders during a visit to Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered the eighteenth day, near Khanauri Border, in Patiala district, Punjab, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (PTI Photo)

US-based Dr Swaiman Singh’s NGO 5 Rivers Heart Association is providing medical assistance to Dallewal. “Often people ask me how is Dallewalji’s health. So, I want to tell them that after 7 days, anything is expected and Saturday was Day 19 of his hunger strike. A medical team of our association remains 24×7 at the Khanauri border. He has become so weak now that he is unable to stand on the weighing machine. So we have stopped weighing him now,” Dr Singh said.

“He had lost 12 kg till Thursday. His liver function, renal function tests are abnormal. Calcium, magnesium, potassium levels are also not in normal range. At times, it is difficult for him even to open his eyes. He is constantly losing his muscle mass. He regularly faces muscular spasms because of muscle mass loss. Under such conditions, the heart can go into an abnormal rhythm any time and it will be a matter of seconds if heart failure occurs. We feel sad when we have to take blood out of him to do his tests on a regular basis. It is high time that the government listen to him instead of allowing a person to suffer too much,” he added.

BKU (Charuni) to visit Khanauri tomorrow

Gurnam Singh Charuni, president of Haryana-based farmers’ union BKU (Charuni) on Saturday announced that he will arrive in Khanauri on Sunday afternoon, along with the outfit’s office bearers from Punjab and Haryana, to meet Dallewal.

“Members from Haryana will gather at Neem Sahib gurdwara in Kaithal to proceed ahead while those from Punjab will meet us directly at Khanauri. We will meet Dallewalji and afterwards will discuss how Samyukta Kisan Morcha can put up a united front to collectively fight for the demands raised by Dallewal,” Charuni said.

On Friday, leaders of around 10 farmer unions who are part of SKM reached Khanauri to meet Dallewal. They, however, stated that they had gone on behalf of their own unions and not on behalf of SKM. So far SKM is not part of the protest morcha at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, though the unions under it are protesting against the common demands in different ways.

Youth Akali Dal extends support

On Saturday, Youth Akali Dal president Sarabjit Singh Jhinjer too extended support to Dallewal at Khanauri border.

“I urge the Central government to immediately agree to the demand for MSP to save the life of Jagjit Singh Dallewal and other protesters who are getting injured due to the brute force used by the Haryana Police. The Central government must intervene immediately to prevent any further harm to our farmers. They must provide MSP as promised and ensure that the farmers’ demands are met,” Jhinjer said.

“The use of force, tear gas, water cannons, and shells against peaceful protesters is unacceptable, and the Haryana government must be held accountable,” he asserted.

Former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) president Kirpal Singh Badungar also expressed concern about Dallewal’s health and sought the central government’s urgent intervention.