BATHINDA: A group of 111 farmers dressed in black clothes will go on a fast-unto-death from Wednesday in solidarity with farmer neta Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose hunger strike entered its 50thday on Tuesday.
Protesters from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha plan to start the fast at 2 pm near the police barricade along the Khanauri Punjab-Haryana border point and continue till their demands, including legal guarantee of MSP for crops and a debt waiver, are met.
On Tuesday, Dallewal’s health worsened as a team of doctors, along with Patiala SSP Nanak Singh, checked on him and collected blood samples for a ketone body test. Farmer neta Abhimanyu Kohad said, “Doctors have warned he risks multiple organ failure. His water intake has fallen drastically. Whenever he takes water, he vomits. Going by the situation, farmers have decided to go on hunger strike.”
The farmers criticised BJP politicians for focusing on a misleading campaign about MSP instead of engaging in constructive dialogue with them.
They argued that such issues should be resolved through discussions, not through campaigns that fail to address farmers’ real concerns. The two forums are also waiting for Jan 18 when they expect to secure direct support from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha after the next round of unity talks.
In the meantime, a jatha of farmers from Kaithal, Haryana, and a committee from Haryana Beopar Mandal under the leadership of Bajrang Dass Garg reached Khanauri in support of Dallewal.
“The Haryana govt only promises to give MSP but, in reality, fraud has been taking place in the mandis. If farmers do not get the benefits of MSP on crops, no section of society will be able to progress in the country. So the Centre must talk to farmers to save the life of Dallewal,” he said.