A 70-year-old farmer leader in India has been on a hunger strike for nearly 40 days in an attempt to put pressure on the federal government to adhere to the demands of the protesting farmers. Jagjit Singh Dallewal and his supporters have so far refused medical help, despite doctors' belief that he is "unable to speak" and that his health has deteriorated. Last month, the Indian Supreme Court ordered Dallewal's home state of Punjab to send him to a hospital. The court has handled a number of petitions related to the issue.
Dallewal's hunger strike was part of a protest that began in February of last year when thousands of farmers gathered at the Punjab-Haryana border. They demand restitution for the families of farmers killed in earlier protests, loan forgiveness, and guaranteed prices for particular crops.
Who is Jagjit Singh Dallewal?
Dallewal is from Punjab, a state that heavily depends on agriculture for employment but has been seeing a persistent drop in farm incomes, which has resulted in debt, migration, and suicides.
With the words, "My life is not as important as the lives of lakhs of Indian farmers, who are reeling under distress," Dallewal, 70, has remained unwavering in his dedication to the cause. Due to the hardship in the farming industry, more than 7 lakh farmers have already taken their own lives.
Dallewal's health has deteriorated dramatically, according to medical experts; he can no longer speak and has displayed serious symptoms like low blood pressure and pulse rate. Both the Punjab government and a committee constituted by the Supreme Court that recently paid him a visit have offered him medical assistance, but he has turned them down. The committee was established to investigate ways to resolve the current demonstrations by farmers and to address their complaints.
What's different about the current protest?
Not much has changed from previous rallies in terms of demands. A legal guarantee for the minimum support prices, a waiver of loan debt, pensions for farmers and agricultural laborers, no increase in electricity rates, the reinstatement of a land acquisition law, and compensation for the families of farmers who lost their lives during earlier protests are just a few of the demands that farmers are demanding be met. However, observers note that Modi's administration appears to be reacting differently to the current wave of demonstrations.
Advocates urge the government to take fast action, but the situation is still dire. Given Dallewal's rapidly declining health, the next few days will be critical in deciding whether his sacrifice will result in significant policy changes or if it would serve to further draw attention to the continued predicament Indian farmers are facing.
