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The plight of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a 75-year-old farmer leader currently undertaking a fast-unto-death, has reached a critical juncture. His 47-day hunger strike has taken a severe toll on his health, leaving him teetering on the brink of cardiac arrest. Medical reports paint a grim picture, revealing alarmingly low potassium and sodium levels, a significant decrease in muscle mass, and dangerously high ketone and uric acid levels. Doctors attending to him have described his condition as critical, emphasizing the immediate need for intervention. His current state, characterized by low blood pressure, fluctuating vital signs, and a frail physical condition, highlights the gravity of the situation. The harsh conditions in which he is lying – a tractor trolley exposed to biting cold – further exacerbate his already precarious health.
The urgency of Dallewal's situation has prompted calls for immediate action from various factions within the farmer's movement. Leaders from the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Morcha and the SKM (Non-Political) have appealed to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leadership to bring forward their scheduled meeting, originally planned for January 15th. They are urging the meeting to be held as soon as possible, ideally tomorrow or the day after, at the Khanauri border instead of Patiala, underlining the critical nature of the situation and the need for immediate response. The phrase 'Each and every minute is very important' highlights the dire circumstances and the fear of irreversible consequences if timely action is not taken. The pressure to accelerate the meeting suggests the seriousness with which the health crisis is being viewed within the farmer's movement.
The medical team attending to Dallewal, headed by Dr. Avtar Singh, has provided detailed accounts of his deteriorating health. Dr. Singh’s statement emphasizes the significant drop in potassium and sodium levels due to Dallewal's complete abstention from food, consuming only water. This deficiency leads to dizziness and difficulty concentrating. The substantial decrease in muscle mass, described as leaving him resembling a skeleton, further underscores the severity of the situation. The alarmingly high ketone and uric acid levels, coupled with the plummeting levels of potassium, sodium, chloride, and protein, paint a comprehensive picture of organ system failure resulting from prolonged starvation. The physician's statement, that 'Anything can happen at any time,' serves as a stark warning of the imminent threat of cardiac arrest or other life-threatening complications.
The case of Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast-unto-death raises complex ethical and political questions. While the act of protest underscores a significant political grievance, the severe health consequences raise concerns about the viability of such extreme measures. The ensuing pressure on the SKM to convene an emergency meeting reflects the deep anxieties about the potential loss of a prominent leader. The event highlights the delicate balance between the right to protest and the preservation of human life. The outcome of this situation, regardless of the political ramifications, will undoubtedly have profound consequences, potentially shaping future protests and strategies within the farmer's movement. The public attention given to this crisis could serve as a catalyst for broader discussions on the acceptable limits of political action and the need for alternative methods of achieving social and political goals. The health crisis of Mr. Dallewal has thrust this into the public consciousness and will likely lead to considerable debate within the movement itself.
Source: Condition of Dallewal critical with looming threat of cardiac arrest, says doctors