Unions to intensify protest as Dallewal’s health deteriorates

In the wake of growing concern over the deteriorating health of farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite fast for 43 days, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) have announced to hold a series of nationwide protests against the Central Government.

During a meeting at Dhabi Gujran village, near Khanauri, on Tuesday, the forums decided to hold a nationwide effigy-burning protest in villages on January 10. They also resolved to mark the festival of Lohri on January 13 by burning copies of the Centre’s draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. They were also planning a nationwide protest on tractors on January 26, said Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the two forums.

Dallewal’s health has deteriorated, with his blood pressure plummeting to 80/56 on Monday night. A video circulating on social media shows medical staff rubbing his hands and feet to boost blood circulation as his condition worsened. Gursimran Singh Butter, a health team member, confirmed that Dallewal’s condition had deteriorated. A team of the Health Department was closely monitoring the situation, he added.

Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Jagpalinder Singh said the situation was under control and Dallewal’s health was being constantly monitored.

Former DIG Narinder Bhargav, who is involved in backchannel talks with farmer groups, reportedly tried to persuade Dallewal to take medical help, but he refused to do so.

A Supreme Court-appointed committee, led by Justice Nawab Singh (Retd), met Dallewal on Monday. Despite his deteriorating health, Dallewal reiterated that farm reforms remained his priority, asserting that his personal well-being was secondary.

Warning the government, farm leader Abhimanu Kohar said, “If thousands of people could gather at the Khanauri border on January 4 at Dallewal’s invitation, the situation can spiral out of control if anything untoward happens to him. It will leave an indelible mark on the current regime, which is acting in an autocratic manner.”