NEW DELHI: As farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on fast-unto-death since November 26, 2024, refused to receive medical help, the Supreme Court on Thursday took strong exception to a “deliberate attempt” to create an impression that it wanted him to break his fast.
“There is a deliberate attempt in the media by your state government officers to give an impression that the court is pressuring him to break the fast. Our direction was not to break his fast. We only said let his health be taken care of and he can continue his peaceful protest even when he is hospitalised. You have to persuade him from this angle,” a Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan told Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh.
“Shifting (him) to the hospital does not mean he will not continue his fast. There are medical facilities which will ensure that no harm is caused to his life. That is our only concern. His life is precious as a farm leader. He is not aligned to any political ideologies and he is taking care of only the farmers’ cause,” Justice Kant said.
“Once Dallewal’s health is taken care of, he can continue on fast… Of course, with the support of medical aid. Once we are satisfied that his life is not in danger, the role of the committee (appointed by the court) becomes easier,” the top court said while hearing Labh Singh’s petition seeking contempt of court action against the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police for failing to implement its order on shifting Dallewal to a hospital.
“Your attitude is that there should be no conciliation. That is the whole problem,” Justice Kant told Singh who sought to clarify that the Punjab Government was all for conciliation.
“We have tried to convince him (Dallewal) to take medical aid as per your Lordships’ directions. Our people are on the site. He is of the firm opinion that he will definitely accept medical help subject to some intervention (by the Centre),” the Advocate General submitted.
“Mr Advocate General, not even a single time your officers have gone there… Your ministers have gone there… Please don’t force us to say many things. Have you ever told them that we have constituted a committee for this purpose?” the Bench asked.
Stating that protesting farmers have been told about the court-constituted panel, Singh told the Bench that the committee has called them for talks on Friday.
“There are people who are making irresponsible statements… What are their bona fides is a matter to be looked into,” the Bench said.
It also questioned the Centre for not making a statement that it would consider genuine demands of protesting farmers.
“Mr Mehta, you have been there for all these days, why your client (Centre) cannot make a statement that you will consider the genuine (demands) and we are open to consider genuine grievances of farmers… Our doors are open… Why can’t the Central Government also make a statement?” Justice Bhuyan asked the Solicitor General.
“Your Lordships are perhaps not aware of several factors which are weighing in. Therefore, right now we are confining (ourselves) to one person’s health,” Mehta replied. It also asked the Centre to respond to a petition filed by Dallewal’s friend Guninder Kaur Gill seeking implementation of the commitments made to farmers by the Centre.
As the Advocate General said officers were on the ground to take all steps required in the matter, the Bench asked it to file a compliance affidavit and posted the matter for further hearing on January 6.