The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on the State of Punjab for not taking adequate steps for the hospitalisation of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26, seeking among other demands, minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan further pulled up the Punjab government and the media for misinterpreting the Court orders, leading to the wrong impression that the Court wanted Dallewal to break the fast in the hospital.
Stating that it never issued any orders directing to break Dallewal’s fast, the top court of the country clarified that it was only concerned with the health and the precious life of the farmer leader. Dallewal could continue his peaceful protest even in hospital. He was only taking care of the farmers’ cause and not aligned to any political ideologies, it observed.
Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh apprised the Court that the negotiators have been trying to persuade Dallewal to take medical aid.
Noting that the attitude of Punjab was against reconciliation, the Bench then told the State AG to persuade the farmer leader from this angle that shifting to the hospital did not mean he needed to end his hunger strike. There were adequate medical facilities to ensure that Dallewal continued his fast under medical aid, with no harm caused to his life.
The AG contended that Dallewal had said he would take medical aid only if the Centre was ready for talks.
The Bench pointed out that not a single officer of the Punjab government had gone to meet the farmer leader. Only Ministers visited the site.
When the Court asked whether the protesting farmers knew a committee has been constituted for this purpose, the AG answered in the affirmative, stating that the Committee has called the farmers for talks on January 3.
The Bench further rebuked certain farmer leaders for making ‘irresponsible’ statements, stating that their intentions behind issuing such remarks should be looked into.
The Bench further warned the State that if it failed to comply with the Court orders, then the Union government would take some action.
The top court of the country had earlier asked the Punjab Chief Secretary and State DGP of Punjab to virtually attend today’s proceedings.
Hope the Punjab government officers have got the message, said the Bench, while listing the matter for further hearing on January 6.
The Bench today also heard a fresh petition filed by Dallewal through his next friend raising broader issues relating to the farmers protests. It directed that a copy of Dallewal’s petition be served to the Union Government.
The Bench passed the order on an SLP filed by the State of Haryana against the Punjab and Haryana High Court order, directing the unblocking of the Shambhu Border between the States of Punjab and Haryana.
The border was closed in February this year due to the farmers’ protests.
The Apex Court had constituted a High-Powered Committee in September last year to negotiate with the farmers protesting at the Shambhu border between the States of Punjab and Haryana.