Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent farmer leader and president of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur), on Monday entered the 21st day of his hunger strike at the Khanauri border, demanding action on farmers’ issues. Despite his worsening health, including critical kidney and cardiac markers, Dallewal has refused medical intervention, declaring his commitment to the cause of farmer welfare.
The doctors monitoring the 70-year-old Dallewal, a cancer survivor, have reported a sharp decline in his physical condition, while advising immediate hospitalization. Currently, Dallewal has not eaten anything, and is just drinking water.
Dr Avtar Singh, part of the 5 Rivers Heart Association NGO, revealed that test results indicated elevated creatinine levels, reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and high ketones, signaling severe strain on his kidneys. “His condition is critical. If the fast continues, there is a real risk of cardiac arrest,” warned Dr Singh.
Ketones in urine mean the body is burning fat for energy instead of sugar. Creatinine is a waste made when muscles work, and healthy kidneys remove it from the blood through urine. If the kidneys aren’t working well, creatinine builds up in the blood. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) shows how well the kidneys are cleaning the blood.
Medical equipment has been installed at the protest site to monitor Dallewal’s vitals, and a permanent ambulance with advanced life-support systems has been stationed to address any emergencies. A team of experts, including specialists from Patiala’s Rajindra Government Hospital and private practitioners, remains on-site.
“He has lost 12-13 kilograms…he is so weak that he can no longer stand unaided. His blood pressure has plummeted to dangerously low levels, with readings around 80/50…There is a very real risk of cardiac arrest,” warned Dr Singh. Despite these warnings, Dallewal remains steadfast, rejecting hospitalization and declaring that his “sacrifice” is for a cause far greater than himself.
Dallewal’s hunger strike is the longest he has undertaken, surpassing his previous 13-day fasts for farmers’ rights in 2021. He has previously gone on hunger strikes in March 2018, January 2019 and 2021, November 2022 and June 2023, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the cause. His protest this time began on November 26, 2024, at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana.
The veteran farmer has publicly stated that his life is secondary to the cause. In a meeting with Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav and Ministry of Home Affairs official Mayank Mishra a day before, Dallewal highlighted the plight of over seven lakh farmers who have died by suicide due to unfavorable policies. “Their lives are more valuable than mine,” he said.
Dallewal, in an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had urged the Central Government to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all farmers, equating it to a fundamental right. He had poignantly wrote, “I have decided to sacrifice my life to stop the deaths of farmers. I hope my martyrdom will awaken the government and lead to meaningful change.”
The ongoing hunger strike is part of a larger movement by farmers under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). Their 13-point charter of demands includes legal guarantee of MSP on crops; debt waivers for farmers and farm labourers; pensions for aged farmers and labourers; withdrawal of police cases against protesters; justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence; reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013; compensation for families of farmers who died during 2020-21 protests; no hikes in electricity tariffs, among others.
Despite repeated attempts to march to Delhi, farmers have been blocked by Haryana police on multiple occasions — on December 6, 8, and 14. Their agitation has since intensified, with appeals to fellow farmer organizations to unite and escalate the struggle.
Hailing from Dallewal village in Faridkot, Dallewal has been a vocal advocate for farmer rights for decades. After losing his wife in January 2024, he transferred his property to his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson before embarking on this indefinite hunger strike. Previously associated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which spearheaded the 2020 farmers’ movement against now-repealed farm laws, Dallewal later formed SKM (non-political) to maintain focus on farmers’ welfare without electoral ambitions.
Farm leaders across Punjab and Haryana have extended their support to Dallewal. KMM coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher, who is leading the Delhi Chalo Andolan 2.0 with Dallewal, announced efforts to bring more farmer organizations under a unified banner to intensify the protest. A letter was circulated urging all factions of SKM to join hands and escalate the agitation.
So far, government representatives have held discussions with Dallewal and other farmer leaders but have failed to meet their demands. Punjab’s Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, and the Centre’s representatives have expressed concerns over Dallewal’s deteriorating health but have not announced any policy changes.
Dallewal’s hunger strike, described as a sacrifice for the farming community, has drawn parallels to historic protests like Anna Hazare’s 13-day anti-corruption fast in 2011.
Farmers Hold Tractor Rally to Shambhu Border; Rail Roko on Dec 18
Farmers in Punjab escalated their protests on Monday, taking out a tractor rally to the Shambhu border point, demanding the Centre fulfill their long-standing demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. This comes after Haryana police thwarted their attempts to march towards the national capital thrice in December.
The rally, organized under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), followed allegations of police excesses during farmers’ protests earlier this month. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher condemned the December 14 clashes where over 15 farmers reportedly sustained injuries.
In a bid to amplify their demands, Pandher announced a statewide ‘Rail Roko’ agitation on December 18, urging residents of Punjab’s 13,000 villages to block railway crossings and stations between 12 noon and 3 pm.
The movement gained further momentum as farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal continued his indefinite fast for the 21st day now, urging the Supreme Court to intervene and press the Centre to address farmers’ grievances. Speaking on the alarming rate of farmer suicides, Dallewal had highlighted that over seven lakh farmers had ended their lives due to agrarian distress. “The priority should be saving those lives,” he had said. The Supreme Court, which had already directed the authorities to ensure Dallewal’s medical well-being, is being petitioned to push the Union Government towards substantive action.
Earlier, tensions flared at the Shambhu border when a ‘jatha’ of 101 farmers was stopped by Haryana police, leading to clashes that resulted in several hospitalizations. Previous attempts on December 6 and 8 also saw Haryana security forces deploying tear gas and water cannons to disperse protestors, injuring 22. Amid these confrontations, internet services were suspended in Ambala district on December 17 as a preventive measure.
Accusing political leaders of inaction, Pandher criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for failing to deliver on his promises to farmers. “We need solidarity from every corner of Punjab to ensure our voices are heard,” he asserted.
As the December 18 'Rail Roko' approaches, the farmers’ agitation continues to highlight their determination to secure justice, with their rallying cry resonating across the fields of Punjab.
