New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reprimanded the Punjab government and expressed concern over misleading media narratives suggesting that the judiciary had ordered the termination of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s ongoing fast.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan clarified that the court’s primary focus is on ensuring Dallewal’s health and well-being by providing him with immediate medical aid, rather than interfering with his protest.
“We need to make it clear that we have not directed the breaking of Dallewal’s protest. Our concern lies solely with his health,” Justice Surya Kant stated, further expressing disappointment over what appeared to be “irresponsible statements” made by certain Punjab government officials and farmer leaders in the media.
The bench also remarked on the need to evaluate the intentions of some farmer leaders towards Dallewal, cautioning against any attempts to complicate the situation.
Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh rebutted the claims, assuring the court that no such misleading attempts were being made. He added that efforts were underway to convince Dallewal to accept medical assistance without compelling him to break his fast.
Court Orders Compliance With Health Directives
Highlighting its December 20 directive, the Supreme Court instructed the Punjab government to ensure Dallewal’s transfer to the nearest medical facility set up by the state. Both the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, who appeared virtually during the proceedings, were asked to file affidavits confirming compliance with the earlier order.
The bench noted, “With senior officials present in today’s session, we trust our message will be communicated effectively down the administrative chain.”
The case has been scheduled for further hearing on January 6.
Notice Issued to Centre on Farmers’ Demands
In a parallel development, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Union government on a new petition submitted on behalf of Dallewal. The petition seeks enforcement of commitments made during the 2021 farmer protests, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops. These demands remain unresolved despite assurances given after the repeal of the contentious farm laws.
Background: Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike has drawn significant attention, with calls for government intervention to address his demands. The apex court’s stance aims to balance respect for peaceful protest with the responsibility to safeguard an individual’s health.
