While addressing the appeals of the Punjab BJP leaders for intervention from the Akal Takht Jathedar, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal expressed concerns in a video message and advised directly appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central government officials rather than seeking religious intervention.
BJP’s Request
A week ago on January 9, during a delegation of Sikh leaders of the BJP including Sarchand Singh and Sukhminder Singh Grewal, a memorandum was presented to the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, expressing concern for the deteriorating condition of Dallewal.
They appealed to the Jathedar to convince Dallewal to stop his hunger strike. The BJP emphasized on Dallewal’s life before the Jathedar as they believed his intervention might bring the farmers and the government closer for dialogue, noting that his previous interventions had proved to be effective in finding a way out in similar cases.
Dallewal’s Response: Direct Appeal to Central Government
The three-minute-long video message disapproves of the GOP’s momentum as the Akal Takht appeal. He suggested that they rather approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi with their demands and concerns of farmers.
He noted that the Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has communicated concern regarding the farmers’ issues and suggested the BJP to approach the Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Dallewal maintained that he was continuing the fast only because he needed the farmers’ demands, or else he would have called it off after that.
Health Issues and Other Medical Interventions
The protest site in Khanauri witnessed a team of high-ranking officials led by Kumar Rahul, Principal Secretary (Health), inspecting Dallewal’s declining health on January 9. Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav and SSP Nanak Singh, the medical team conducted a thorough check-up, including blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound.
The results are expected to be announced soon after this. A dedicated medical team from Rajindra Medical College and Mata Kaushalya Hospital, Patiala, has been posted to keep an incessant vigil on Dallewal. Two advanced life support ambulances stand ready, and an emergency facility has been established in a tent near the protest area.
Supreme Court’s Role
The Indian Supreme Court took cognizance of the matter regarding Dallewal’s health. On 13 December 2024, the Court asked for immediate medical support for Dallewal, without forcing him to withdraw his fast. The Court said, “Life should be preserved.”
The Bench composed of Justice Surya Kant stated to the agitating farmers that Gandhian methods should be adopted for protests, imploring farmers to suspend highway blockades to minimize public inconvenience.
With Dallewal still on his hunger strike, the situation remains tense with an increasing concern for his health. The farmer leader is demanding a dialogue with the central government, which puts forth the urgency of farmers’ issues.
Noting the Supreme Court’s continuous role plus the appeals from many other quarters is a clear sign that the matter is very serious and needs an urgent and peaceful response that would provide protection to the lives of the protesters and the public interest.
