Dallewal's Hunger Strike Reaches 29 Days as He Vows to Fight for Farmers' Rights Until His Last Breath

Chandigarh, Dec 24 (NationPress) Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for the last 29 days advocating for farmers' rights and has shed 15 kg, asserted on Tuesday that he will persist in this struggle until their demands are met or until his last breath.

While resting on a cot placed on the stage at the Khanauri protest location, adjacent to Haryana, where farmers have been conducting a sit-in protest since February 13, Dallewal, whose vital organs are deteriorating due to his fast and advanced age, emphasized that this battle must be united, urging other states to join the farmers' cause from Punjab.

"I am doing okay...We must achieve victory together," stated Dallewal, 70, whose health is under constant surveillance by a team of doctors that have already cautioned about the risk of cardiac arrest.

His prolonged hunger strike has weakened his immunity, increasing his vulnerability to infections, as reported by a doctor.

"His vital organs like the liver and kidneys are weakening, and his condition is worsening," added the doctor examining Dallewal at the Khanauri border, noting that his ketone levels are significantly elevated, making him prone to infection.

Dallewal, who commenced his hunger strike on November 26, is demanding among other things, a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) on crops from the Central government, asserting that farmers should not be expelled from the protest site.

"We will either advocate for our rights or perish here," he proclaimed in a brief address over a loudspeaker, his voice wavering yet reverberating confidence as he remarked, "Now the big brother (Haryana) has joined the protest."

As a prominent leader during the farmers' agitation against the three controversial farm laws in 2020-21, which have since been repealed, Dallewal is also a key figure in the recent 'Delhi chalo' march initiated by Punjab farmers.

The farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after securing forces thwarted their march towards the national capital.

Following directions from the Supreme Court, the Punjab government has assembled a medical team of senior doctors from a government hospital in Patiala district for continuous monitoring. A temporary medical facility has been established at the protest site to address emergencies.

In support of the farmers' plight, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged the BJP-led Central government to cease its obstinacy and engage in dialogue with the farmers.

"The Central government must relinquish its stubbornness and initiate discussions with the farmers' organizations... If Modi-ji can mediate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, why can’t he converse with the individuals striving for their livelihoods just 200 km away? What are you waiting for...?" CM Mann expressed on X in Punjabi.