Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on fast-unto-death to press the Centre to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on the crops, fainted on Thursday ashis condition has now become critical.
Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered the 24th day, apparently fell down and fainted for some time. The doctors attending him at the Khanauri border have described the 70-year-old farmer leader's health condition as critical, adding,"His life is hanging by a thread. Dallewal is also at risk of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure, the doctors added.
The 70-year-old farm protester, also a cancer patient, had been on fast-unto-death to press the Centre to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) on the crops. 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 Dr. Abhiraj, who is a member 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. Anything can happen at any time,” the doctor added.
Meanwhile, the Khap Panchayats of Haryana extended their support to the farmers and decided to hold a mahapanchayat in Hisar on December 29 and added that the Maha Panchayat will decide the next course of action.
Punjab CM Mann asks Centre to 'give up its stubbornness' and 'talk to the farmers'
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 Minimum Support Price (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.
Earlier on Wednesday, Haryana Chief Minister and BJP leader Nayab Singh Saini said the AAP government in Punjab must engage with the farmers from the state and find solutions to their problems. Last week, Saini had stated that all crops of farmers in Haryana are being procured at MSP and urged the Punjab government to follow suit.
SAD's Bhunder appeals to save the life of Kisan leader Dallewal
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Working President Balwinder Singh Bhunder on Thursday appealed to all political parties as well as Kisan organizations to work jointly to save the life of veteran Kisan leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
Talking to Reporters after visiting the Kisan leader at Khanauri, Bhunder said “this is not the time to score brownie points by speaking in divergent voices. We should unite and appeal to the central government to accept the demands of Dallewal Sahab to pave the way for ending his fast unto death”. He said it was unfortunate that the AAP government and its chief minister had not taken up the issue in all earnestness with the centre. “The chief minister should call on the Prime Minister and impress upon the latter to do justice with farmers since the Prime Minister had assured that all the demands of the farmers, including making MSP a legal guarantee, would be accepted”.
Bhunder also appealed to the Kisan organizations to come on a common platform to devise a common strategy to take up the issues of the farming community so that they could be resolved. He also made a personal appeal to the veteran Kisan leader to end his fast saying Punjab needed him and his services and that he should not endanger his life in this manner.
