Approach PM, not Akal Takht, if you want me to end fast, Dallewal tells Punjab BJP

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered the 46th day on Friday, has shared a video message targeting the Punjab unit of the BJP.

In the nearly three-minute video, the farmer leader said he had been told that the Punjab unit of the BJP had approached Akal Takht, urging the Jathedar to direct him to end his fast.

“However, I feel that BJP leaders are going in the wrong direction. Instead of approaching Akal Takht, they should approach the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seek his intervention to resolve the matter,” he said.

“You should go to the office of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who has already expressed his concern over farmers’ issues. You must also visit the office of Agriculture Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan) and the office of Home Minister Amit Shah.”

Dallewal said the motive behind his fast was to seek the acceptance of the farmers’ demands. He said he would end it once the Centre agreed to the demands.

“I will again urge the Punjab unit of the BJP to seek the intervention of the Prime Minister,” he said.

Amid reports of the deteriorating health and dwindling blood pressure of Dallewal, a high-level team of doctors, led by Principal Secretary (Health) Kumar Rahul, visited Khanauri to examine the fasting farmer leader on Thursday. Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav and SSP Nanak Singh also accompanied the team.

After meeting farmer leaders Baldev Singh Sirsa, Abhimanyu Kohar and Kaka Singh Kotra, the team went to the glass cubicle where the farmer leader is fasting. The team reportedly examined Dallewal, took his blood samples and performed an ultrasound on the abdomen. The medical report was scheduled to be released on Friday, but it was kept on hold. Asked Dr Jagpalinder Singh, Civil Surgeon, Patiala, said the report was still being compiled and would be released on Saturday.

A medical team from Rajindra Medical College and Mata Kaushalya Hospital, Patiala, is already deployed at Khanauri to continuously monitor Dallewal’s health.

Two advanced life support ambulances are also available there round the clock.

A temporary hospital equipped with all emergency equipment and medicines has been set up near the protest site.

The farmer leader has been sitting in protest since November 26. On the first day of the protest, he was picked up by the police and taken to DMC Hospital in Ludhiana. Later, after pressure mounted from farmer unions, he was released and since then he has been fasting at the Khanauri border.

Tractor-trailers have been welded with each other around the site where Dallewal is fasting and over 700 volunteers are observing night vigil near the protest site.