NEW DELHI: Doctors on Thursday described the condition of Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered its 24th day, as critical after he fainted for 8-10 minutes at the Khanauri border protest site.
Doctors attending to him warned of risks of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure.
“His life is hanging by a thread,” said Dr Abhiraj as quoted by PTI, a member of the team from 5 Rivers Heart Association, an NGO monitoring Dallewal’s health.
The 70-year-old cancer patient has refused sustenance since beginning his hunger strike to demand the Centre’s acceptance of the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) on crops.
Dr Abhiraj said, “He has not consumed anything for the past 24 days, leading to a critical state. His blood pressure dropped significantly today, and he remains at risk of cardiac arrest due to electrolyte imbalance. Ketones in his body are alarmingly high, making him vulnerable to sudden health failures.”
Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar added that Dallewal fainted after attempting to bathe, experiencing dizziness and vomiting.
Despite his frailty, Dallewal briefly joined a Supreme Court hearing via video conferencing on Thursday afternoon. The top court directed the Punjab government to convince Dallewal to undergo a health examination, expressing disapproval over the lack of medical intervention.
Dallewal’s hunger strike has reignited discussions around the MSP, with a parliamentary panel recommending its legal implementation to mitigate farmer suicides and enhance financial security
Political leaders have visited the protest site to express solidarity with Dallewal and the farmers. Akali leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar urged the Centre to address the farmers’ demands, while Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) leader Simranjit Singh Mann inquired about Dallewal’s health.
“We call for unity among all farmer bodies on the MSP issue,” Kumar said, urging the Centre to initiate dialogue with protesters.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda reiterated the need for immediate government intervention to resolve the farmers’ grievances.