Till Death Do Us Part

Jagjit Singh Dallewal has reinforced how a fast unto death can serve as a warning and an appeal to the public and the government

- Shweta Desai

AT the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana, a team of doctors anxiously screen the beeping sounds of the monitoring machine. The sensors attached to the frail body of Jagjit Singh Dallewal covered in thick blankets—at times—do not register any reading on the monitor. On Day 52 of his fast-onto-death strike—among the longest in post-Independent India—Dallewal’s body has reached a distressingly critical state. A human body typically cannot survive without food or drink for more than seven days, although there are some records of survivors staying alive for up to 21 days. Dallewal’s strike warrants a second attention, given his age and medical history with life-threatening cancer. His deteriorating health even prompted the Supreme Court to express concern. A striking parallel can be drawn with the case of prominent environmental activist G. D. Agarwal, who died at the age of 86 after a long hunger strike to protest against government inaction on cleaning up the Ganga River in 2018.

With no glucose and severely depleted muscle mass, Dallewal’s heart rate fluctuates frequently, blood pressure is low and ketone levels are elevated. He is unable to consume even a glass of water due to a high level of acidity that makes him vomit. As his body desperately attempts to conserve energy from the fat and muscle tissues, doctors fear the risk of multiple organ failure.

Since November 26 last year, Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, has been on a hunger strike to demand the implementation of farm reforms, including a Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee for all crops. Before starting the fast, Singh declined any medical assistance.