The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the State of Punjab to
immediately provide medical aid to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on fast-unto-death at Khanauri border for the past 20 days.
Noting that the doors of the Court were always open, the Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan told the farmers that they could place any suggestion or demand charter directly or through an authorised representative before the Court.
Assuring to give due consideration to the farmers’ demands, the Court said it would hold discussions with all stakeholders on the same.
The Apex Court passed the order after Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh said that pursuant to the last SC order, meetings were held between Punjab authorities, the representative of the Union government, and farmers (including Dallewal), wherein the court’s concerns were brought to their notice.
While Dallewal refused to undergo medical tests and receive aid, farmers declined to interact with the High-Powered Committee constituted by the Court.
The top court of the country then directed the Punjab government to take urgent and necessary steps to improve Dallewal’s health. It further ordered the State of Punjab to ensure that medical aid, as per doctor’s advice, was provided to Dallewal without any delay.
The Punjab AG then contended that Dallewal refused medical help saying that the lives of seven lakh farmers were more important to him than his own.
Underlining the value of human life, the Apex Court observed that the government of Punjab should not show any leniency or cause delay regarding the health of Dallewal.
Calling Dallewal a public personality and a non-political leader of the masses, representing the farmers’ interests, the Bench noted that if something happened to the protesting farm leader, it would have very serious repercussions. The entire state machinery would be blamed. Time was of utmost importance in this case. As an elected government and a constitutional organ, the State government would not like to invite this blame, it added.
The Bench also requested the farmers not to act under peer pressure and called on them to take account of the health of Dallewal, saying that as long as he was healthy, he would be in a position to lead the ground and fight for their rights. There could be a difference of opinion, but he needed to be hale and hearty, it added.