Farmer leader Dallewal’s life hanging by thread, say doctors

PTI Chandigarh: Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered the 24th day on Thursday, fell down and fainted for 8-10 minutes with doctors describing his condition as critical. The doctors said, "His life is hanging by a thread." Doctors attending on him at the border protest site also said Dallewal is at the risk of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure. Dallewal (70), a cancer patient, has been on the fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops.

Speaking to reporters at the Khanauri border, doctors said Dallewal has not had anything for the last 24 days. "Because of that, he is critical and he is at the risk of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure. We are monitoring him every day," said doctor Abhiraj, who is part of a team of doctors from 5 Rivers Heart Association, an NGO. "His blood pressure dropped today. We raised his legs and gave massage. But his situation is very sensitive. His life is hanging by a thread right now," said the doctor, adding, "Anything can happen at any time." Right now ketones are on higher side, he said. "Because of electrolyte imbalance, he can have cardiac arrest at anytime. His situation is critical," he further said. Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said Dallewal's condition has worsened. "When he went to washroom to take a bath and after coming out of it, his condition worsened. He felt dizzy, fell down, vomited and fainted for around 8-10 minutes," he further said.

The doctors gave him a massage and because of their efforts, his blood pressure went up but his situation is serious, said Kohar. Kohar said Dallewal joined the hearing in the Supreme Court through video conferencing at around 2:20 pm, he said. He remained connected for around 12-15 minutes but it kept disconnecting intermittently, he said. The top court on Thursday asked the Punjab government to convince Dallewal to undergo health examination. The court pulled up the Punjab government for not conducting medical tests on Dallewal.

A parliamentary panel on Tuesday had recommended the government implement a legally binding minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce, arguing that such a measure could significantly reduce farmer suicides and provide crucial financial stability. "We also want to bring to your notice that the issues on which we are agitating are not just our demands but are promises made to us by different governments," said Kohar.

Centre must talk to protesting farmers: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday urged the Centre to give up its "stubbornness" and engage in talks with the farmers who are protesting to press for their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops. Mann also said it is the Centre's duty to talk to the farmers, adding that any issue can only be resolved through dialogue. "It is the duty of the central government to talk to the farmers. Any issue can be resolved only through talks. The central government should give up its stubbornness," he posted on X.

Farmers, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. Farmer leader from Punjab, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since Nov 26 to press the Centre into accepting the farmers' demands.

A "jatha" (group) of 101 farmers attempted to march to Delhi on foot three times between December 6 and 14, but they were stopped by security personnel in Haryana. Earlier on Wednesday, Haryana CM and BJP leader Nayab Singh Saini said Punjab AAP must engage with the farmers.