Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal criticized the BJP for asking the Akal Takht to intervene in order to break his fast-unto-death amid the farmers’ ongoing protest, saying that they should instead go to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge him to accede to the farmers’ demands. On Friday, the farmers’ strike reached its 46th day.

In a three-minute video message, the 70-year-old leader said that he would not break his fast until the Center agreed to farmers’ requests, which include a legally binding guarantee for the Minimum Support Price for crops.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh was urged to step in and break the farmer leader’s indefinite fast by a BJP delegation on Thursday, which included Sukhminder Pal Singh Grewal and Sarchand Singh.

Concerns over Dallewal’s declining health were voiced by the delegation.

Dallewal said in his video message: “We have learned that the BJP’s Punjab unit officials have urged the Akal Takht to step in and put a stop to Dallewal’s fast till death. They pleaded with the Akal Takht to give him instructions on how to break his fast. I hold the Akal Takht in high regard.

However, the Punjab BJP ought to speak with home minister Amit Shah ji, agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar, and prime minister Modi ji. “They are going to the Akal Takht Jathedar instead of meeting them,” he stated.

In response to farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, Dallewal, the convenor of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been leading an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 of last year. His health has become worse as a result of his refusal to accept any medical assistance throughout the extended fasting period.

Dallewal’s doctors had previously said that the extended fasting was “deteriorating” his health.

After security forces stopped their march to Delhi on February 13, farmers, operating under the aegis of SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camped at the Shambhu and Khanauri border posts between Punjab and Haryana.