Punjab: If I end my fast, contact the Prime Minister, not Akal Takht

Punjab: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast unto death entered the 46th day on Friday, has shared a video message targeting the BJP’s Punjab unit. In the nearly three-minute video, the farmer leader said he has been told that the BJP’s Punjab unit has approached the Akal Takht, and urged the Jathedar to direct him to end his fast. “However, I feel that the BJP leaders are going in the wrong direction. Instead of approaching the Akal Takht, they should approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office 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 the farmers’ issues.

You should also go to the office of Agriculture Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan) and Home Minister Amit Shah.” Dallewal said the motive behind his fast is to get the farmers’ demands accepted. He said he will end it once the Centre agrees to the demands. He said, “I will again urge the BJP’s Punjab unit to seek the Prime Minister’s intervention.” Amid reports of Dallewal’s deteriorating health and a drop in blood pressure, a high-level team of doctors led by Principal Secretary (Health) Kumar Rahul visited Khanauri on Thursday to check on the fasting farmer leader. The team was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav and SSP Nanak Singh. After meeting farmer leaders Baldev Singh Sirsa, Abhimanyu Kohar and Kaka Singh Kotra, the team went to the glass chamber where the farmer leader is on a fast. The team reportedly examined Dallewal, took his blood samples and conducted an abdominal ultrasound.
The medical report was scheduled to be released on Friday but was put on hold. When asked, Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Jagpalinder Singh said the report was still being prepared and would be released on Saturday. A medical team from Rajindra Medical College and Mata Kaushalya Hospital, Patiala, is already deployed at Khanauri to constantly monitor Dallewal’s health. Two advanced life support ambulances are also available 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 on a dharna since November 26. On the first day of the protest, he was picked up by the police and admitted to DMC Hospital in Ludhiana. He was later released after pressure from farmer unions and has been on a hunger strike at Khanauri border since then. Tractor-trailers have been linked around the place where Dallewal is on a hunger strike and more than 700 volunteers are performing Ratri Jagran near the protest site.