As farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death protest of over 28 days at the Khanuari border between Punjab and Haryana, his health has deteriorated significantly. Doctors have also warned him of a high risk of cardiac arrest and organ failure. While extending their support to the protesting farmers, a delegation of Punjab government officials, including State Chief Aman Arora, visited the border on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. They urged him to take medical health seriously while stressing that his health is important.

The Aam Aadmi Party Punjab President, Aman Arora, also assured Dallewal that the entire Punjab government supports the farmers fighting against the Centre. He asked him to take intravenous (IV) fluids to mitigate any further damage to vital organs.

AAP Punjab President to Dallewal

The fight is not only yours, but that of the whole Punjab, and will only continue if the leader survives. You have been fasting for 30 days. Therefore, I humbly request you, with folded hands, to take at least IV fluids to save your life and continue your fast-unto-death, Arora said to Dallewal.

Following the meeting, AAP President Arora takes a dig at the central government. He said that the centre has failed to fulfil their promises, which they made during the abrogation of farmers three laws.

It has been a month of Dallewals fast. His agitation is for genuine demands, and he is fighting for Punjab, but we know the centres indifferent attitude, said Arora.

Meanwhile, Jagjit Dallewal rejected the state governments plea and said that the question was not to stay alive but to fight for the farmers. Nobody has fought for the farmers taking their lives. It can only be stopped with the legal guarantee to MSP. Therefore, I am ready to sacrifice my life for it, he added.

About Farmers Three Laws and Their Abrogation

Additionally, there were three farm laws enacted by the Indian government in 2020. These include:

• Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020: This law was aimed at creating an ecosystem for farmers where they could sell their produce outside the Agriculture Produce Market Committee mandis without paying taxes and fees.

• Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Prices Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020: This legislation allows the farmers to enter their contracts with agribusiness farms, processors, wholesalers, and exporters. It was intended to protect farmers from market fluctuations and ensure a guaranteed price.

Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020: This act was aimed at deregulating the production of essential commodities like cereals, pulses, edible oils, potatoes, onions, etc.

Meanwhile, the farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh strongly opposed the laws. The feared that these laws would dismantle the MSP (Minimum Support Price), resulting in exploitation by large corporations. The protests began in 2020 at the borders of Delhi for over a year. In response to the sustained protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19, 2021, announced that the government would repeal the laws.

Why is Jagjit Singh Dallewal protesting?

The prominent farmer leader, Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, who is a cancer patient, has been on a fast-unto-death protest for over a month. He began protesting on November 26, 2024.

His protest has been driven by several key demands of the farmers. These include:

Legal Guarantee of MSP: Under this, the farmers demand a legally binding assurance that they will receive a minimum price for their crops. This would ensure financial stability and prevent exploitation.

Resolution of other farmer issues: The protest also includes some broader issues related to compensation over crop losses. Debt relief, etc. This is for better support for sustainable farming practices.