111-farmers-begin-fast-unto-death-in-solidarity-with-dallewal

A 'Jatha' of 111 farmers began fast-unto-death on Wednesday in solidarity with the protesting farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal whose indefinite strike entered day 51.

 

The agitating farmers have expressed concern over Dallewal's "deteriorating" health, saying the leader risks "multiple organ failure" because of the prolonged fasting. Dallewal, who is the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 last year. The farmers have been protesting over various demands including a legally guarantees minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.

 

Dallewal has refused any medical aid during his fasting, which has caused his health to worsen.

 

Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar, who has been associated with Dallewal for a long time, lashed out at the Union government on Wednesday for not "paying a heed" to farmers' demands.

 

"Today, Dallewal's fast-unto-death entered day 51. The Centre is neither ready to listen to anything nor it is initiating talks nor fulfilling our demands," Kohar said.

 

On January 4, Punjab Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian sought Chouhan's personal intervention urging the Centre to hold a dialogue with the protesting farmers at the earliest to break the impasse.

STORY | Deadlock continues as 111 farmers sit on fast-unto-death in solidarity with Dallewal

READ: https://t.co/P6nijxjU90

VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/r2TOLLwSA1

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 15, 2025

111 किसान जगजीत सिंह डल्लेवाल जी के समर्थन में आमरण अनशन पर बैठे हैं। 51 दिनों से MSP गारंटी कानून के लिए लड़ाई जारी है और मुख्यधारा का मीडिया इसे नजरअंदाज कर रहा है। हमें किसानों के साथ खड़े होना चाहिए। #MSP_Guarantee#FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/zKX0BFegbX

— RanGRooT(ਭਾਈਚਾਰਾ)🚜🌾 (@rangroot08) January 15, 2025

On the status of Dallewal's health, Kohar said it is "critical" because of the indefinite fast.

Doctors have said his body is not even accepting water and whenever he takes water, he throws up, according to Kohar.

 

"Farmers are emotional and they have said that they will also follow Dallewal and start an indefinite fast in a peaceful manner," said Kohar.

 

On December 20 last year, the apex court put the onus on Punjab government officials and doctors to decide on Dallewal's hospitalisation.

The top court had said Dallewal could be moved to a makeshift hospital set up within 700 metres of the protest site at the Khanauri border.

 

The state government has deputed medical teams round-the-clock, with two advanced life support (ALS) ambulances stationed at the Khanauri protest site.

 

Also read: Supreme Court directs AIIMS review of Dallewal’s health