E-Paper
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, on hunger strike since Nov 26, agrees to take medical aid
Farmers earlier said Dallewal's condition was “critical.” Dallewal has lost about 20 kg and has refused any medical aid during his fasting, they said
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 26, agreed to accept medical aid on Sunday, PTI reported quoting farmer leader Sukhjit Singh Hardojhande.
Despite this, Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered its 54th day, clarified that he will not end his indefinite fast till a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops is given to the farmers, Hardojhande informed.
Sukhjit Singh Hardojhande, a fellow farmer leader, confirmed the decision to allow medical aid, explaining that Dallewal's health had worsened, with the leader losing about 20 kilograms during the fasting period.
While Dallewal's condition had been described as "critical," he had previously refused medical treatment to highlight the severity of his protest.
The development comes after the Centre agreed to hold a meeting with Punjab's protesting farmers to discuss their demands, on February 14 in Chandigarh.
This meeting will mark an end to a stalemate over the resumption of a dialogue with the agitators, who have been demanding a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops.
Earlier on Saturday, a delegation of officials from the Union agriculture ministry, led by Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan, met Dallewal and held a meeting with the representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, which are spearheading the agitation for the last 11 months.
On Saturday, 10 more farmers joined the fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point, bringing the total number of fasting farmers to 121.
The farmers have been demanding a legal guarantee on MSP, a key issue that has fueled protests across Punjab and other states.
Dallewal’s hunger strike is part of a larger movement led by farmer organizations, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, which have been mobilizing for nearly a year.
Meanwhile, the SKM said they will hand over memorandums to all MPs on January 20 to press the Centre to resolve farmers' issues and demand that it should save the life of fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal by initiating talks.
Addressing the media after the meeting in Patiala, SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal emphasized a joint fight by farmer bodies and also saving the life of Dallewal.
