The Supreme Court on Friday issued directives for immediate medical intervention for Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a farmer leader on an indefinite fast at the Punjab-Haryana border, urging the protesting farmers to embrace Gandhian methods of non-violence. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized the importance of peaceful protest and instructed both the Centre and Punjab government to ensure Dallewal receives the necessary medical care without compelling him to end his fast.
Dallewal, who has been fasting for over 17 days to demand legal guarantees for the minimum support price (MSP) on crops, has sparked concerns over his worsening health amidst harsh winter conditions. The court highlighted the urgency of addressing his medical needs, reflecting on the broader implications of the ongoing farmer protests which have seen significant disruptions, including blocked highways at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points.
The apex court’s intervention came amid reports of escalating tensions at the protest sites, where farmers have been encamped since February 13 following a halted march to Delhi. The justices noted that while the farmers’ grievances are being considered, the agitation should not escalate to violence nor should it hinder essential traffic.
In response to the situation, the Supreme Court has advocated for a temporary relocation or suspension of the protests to allow a high-powered committee, established to address the farmers’ issues, to make recommendations. This committee, led by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Nawab Singh, is tasked with exploring substantive solutions, including the potential legal sanctification of MSP and direct income support to alleviate the farmers’ distress.
The court further advised that if necessary, Dallewal could be transported to a more equipped medical facility like PGIMER in Chandigarh or a hospital in Patiala to receive adequate treatment. A status report on these actions is expected to be filed by the committee, with a review scheduled for December 17.
