In a significant development, a delegation of farmers protesting at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana is set to meet with a high-powered committee appointed by the Supreme Court today at 3 PM. This critical meeting comes as the farmers’ agitation continues to draw attention due to the health crisis of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a septuagenarian protester who has been on an indefinite fast for 40 days.
The apex court’s involvement was highlighted during a hearing before a bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Punjab government, informed the court of the breakthrough in persuading the farmers to engage in discussions with the committee, chaired by Justice (retd) Nawab Singh. “We have managed to persuade them. Kindly post the matter for some other day. We are expecting some breakthrough,” Sibal articulated, suggesting a potential easing of tensions.
The court responded optimistically, with Justice Surya Kant expressing hope that “better sense prevails on everyone.” It also directed Sibal to prepare a brief note on the deliberations and postponed the hearing to January 10. Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, assured that the committee would also file a note detailing the outcome of the meeting.
Dallewal’s protest has been a focal point of the agitation, underscoring the farmers’ demand for a legal guarantee of minimum support prices for crops. Despite his deteriorating health and refusal of medical aid from the Punjab government, his resolve has kept the issue in the limelight, with the Supreme Court keeping a close watch on the situation.
