SC directs Punjab govt to shift fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to hospital by Dec 31

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The Supreme Court on Saturday strongly criticized the Punjab government for failing to move farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been fasting for over a month, to a hospital. The court also questioned the motives of the protesting farmers who are preventing medical assistance for the elderly leader.

During an unusual vacation hearing, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia gave the Punjab government until December 31 to convince Dallewal to seek hospital care. The court also allowed the state to request logistical assistance from the Centre if needed.

The Punjab government expressed its difficulties, citing strong resistance from protesting farmers who have surrounded Dallewal and are obstructing any attempts to transport him to a medical facility.

Justice Surya Kant rebuked the state’s inaction, asking Advocate General Gurminder Singh, “Who allowed this situation to escalate? How was this protest site fortified, and why has manpower been systematically mobilized there? While peaceful protests to voice grievances are acceptable, obstructing medical aid to someone in urgent need is unprecedented.”

Singh informed the bench that a team of experts had tried to convince Dallewal to seek medical attention, but he refused even basic assistance, including IV drips, arguing it would undermine the movement’s cause. He also warned that forceful intervention could result in collateral damage, with casualties on both sides.

The court criticized the Punjab government’s handling of the crisis, stating that those preventing Dallewal’s medical care were committing a criminal act by abetting suicide. Justice Kant remarked that the state appeared reluctant to ensure Dallewal received necessary aid, saying, “If lawful action faces resistance, law enforcement must respond appropriately. It seems Dallewal is under peer pressure. Farmer leaders resisting his treatment seem more interested in his demise than his well-being. Their intentions are deeply questionable.”

The court called the conduct of some farmer leaders surprising and urged the state to persuade Dallewal, assuring him he could continue his fast in the hospital. “Convince him that hospitalization won’t mean abandoning his cause,” the bench advised.

Justice Kant criticized those resisting Dallewal’s transfer, saying they were not acting in his best interest. “These individuals are depriving the farmer movement of a vital leader. If anything happens to him, who will take responsibility? How can a group of farmers justify denying medical help to a colleague in need?”

The bench also consulted Punjab’s chief secretary and director general of police, urging them to manage the situation without unnecessary force while devising a suitable strategy.

When Justice Dhulia sought potential solutions, Singh suggested either conciliation or confrontation. He added that Dallewal had indicated he would accept medical intervention if the Centre agreed to negotiate with the farmers.

Justice Kant dismissed any preconditions, emphasizing that the court’s priority was Dallewal’s health. “This is a constitutional court. Political dynamics between the state and Centre cannot overshadow immediate medical needs,” he told Singh.

Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26, demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support prices for crops. Farmers under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13 after being blocked from marching to Delhi.


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