Supreme Court Clarifies Its Stance on Dallewal's Hunger Strike Amid Farmers' Protest
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New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) The Supreme Court asserted on Thursday that it has never issued any directive to terminate the hunger strike of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is currently engaging in a fast unto death, but is primarily focused on his health.
“There seems to be a conscious effort among various media outlets where officials from the state government of Punjab are attempting to convey the notion that this court is pressuring Mr. Dallewal to end his fast. Our instructions were never to compel him to cease his fast; we merely stated that his health should be prioritized, allowing him to maintain his peaceful protest even during hospitalization,” stated a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant while addressing Punjab’s Advocate General Gurminder Singh.
The Bench, which included Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, remarked that transferring Dallewal to a hospital should not imply that he will discontinue his fast; rather, it should ensure that adequate medical care is provided to prevent any harm to his life.
In response, AG Gurminder Singh indicated that state officials had attempted to persuade Dallewal to accept medical assistance in accordance with the Supreme Court’s guidance.
Nevertheless, Dallewal remained resolute, stating he would only accept medical aid if the Union government was open to discussions.
In reaction, Justice Kant's Bench commented, “Please do not compel us to articulate further. Your stance appears to be one of avoiding reconciliation, which is the root of the issue.”
Additionally, the apex court expressed disappointment over the “irresponsible remarks” made by “so-called farmer leaders that complicate matters further.”
It warned that if the Punjab government continues to neglect its order regarding Dallewal's hospitalization, the apex court may seek the intervention of the Centre.
The 70-year-old cancer patient has been fasting at Khanauri, the border point between Punjab and Haryana, since November 26 in support of long-standing demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, loan waivers, and reforms to enhance the agricultural sector.
The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on January 6.
On Tuesday, the apex court postponed the hearing on a contempt plea seeking action against the Chief Secretary of Punjab for the failure to hospitalize Dallewal until January 2.
During that session, the Punjab government requested more time to comply with the December 20 order, which mandated ensuring Dallewal's stable health condition.
“It is wholly the responsibility of the State of Punjab to secure the stable health condition of Mr. Jagjit Singh Dallewal. If hospital care is deemed necessary, the authorities must facilitate it. The State Government will therefore determine whether Mr. Dallewal can be moved to a temporary hospital (allegedly set up 700 meters from the protest site) or to a more well-equipped facility,” the SC had decreed.
