Chandigarh, December 31: The Supreme Court granted the Punjab government time till January 2 to comply with its earlier order to provide medical aid to farmer activist Jagjit Singh Dallewal who has been on a hunger strike for 35 days. The judgment was passed when the state government requested more time to comply with the court’s earlier order as they are trying to discuss with the protesting farmers and convince them to transfer Dallewal to a medical institute for treatment.
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, one of the vocal leaders in the farmers’ movement, had gone on a hunger strike on November 26 for legal guarantees on MSP for crops. Farmers have been protesting at Khanauri and Shambhu border points since February 13 to put forward their demands.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia, expressed concern over the delay in implementing its December 20 order, which mandated urgent medical assistance for Jagjit Singh Dallewal. During the December 31 hearing, the court underscored the importance of compliance with its directive, stating that its primary focus was on Dallewal’s health and well-being.
Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh stated before the high court that discussions are still in process with protesting farmers. It said efforts were being made to transfer Dallewal to a makeshift hospital near the Khanauri border, but Jagjit Singh Dallewal has continuously rejected medical care as the state team led by former additional DGP Jaskaran Singh tried it several times.
This makes the state request more time after an earlier critical judiciary objection on December 28 wherein the court pointed fingers at the helplessness of the Punjab government to transfer Dallewal to hospital. It expressed concern that the protesting farmers were not willing to let medical care go through to their chief, and set December 31 as the deadline for the state. It also suggested seeking central help, if needed.
Protests Continue
The movement picked up speed today as farmers decided to not give up their MSP guarantee demand; the hunger strike by Jagjit Singh Dallewal was proved to be correct by leaders. The Punjab government, though stressing on resolving this peacefully, claimed that no agreement could be struck due to their standstill since the day and night long sit-down.
The Supreme Court has listed the matter for further hearing on January 2, asking the state to give top priority to compliance with its earlier orders. With Dallewal’s health deteriorating, the onus is now on the Punjab government to navigate the delicate balance between addressing the farmers’ demands and ensuring the farmer leader’s safety.
It has been an issue that highlights deeper tensions between farmers and authorities seeking resolutions to the long-standing agrarian concerns.
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