SC Questions Punjab’s Claim on Farmer Leader Dallewal’s Health Amidst 49-Day Hunger Strike, Seeks AIIMS Opinion; Urges Swift Resolution to Farmers’ Demands

Expressing concerns over the deteriorating health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 49 days,  the supreme court has sought his medical reports to be evaluated by the AIIMS medical board. During the hearing a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh questioned the Punjab government’s submission that Dallewal’s health is “improving,” despite his prolonged fast. “How can someone’s health parameters improve after nearly 50 days of fasting? Where are the latest test results?” , the bench remarked.

The apex court directed the Punjab government’s chief secretary to submit Dallewal’s latest health reports to the court registrar by the end of the day. The registrar was instructed to forward the reports to the AIIMS director for an expert opinion on Dallewal’s condition. Meanwhile, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Punjab government, informed the court that a makeshift hospital had been set up just 10 meters from the protest site, and progress had been made in persuading Dallewal to shift there. However, on the behalf of Punjab government, he reiterated that Dallewal had refused medical aid offered by the state government.

Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) (non-political), began his hunger strike on November 26 last year at the Khanauri border , where hundreds of farmers from Punjab were camping since February 13 since they were not allowed by Haryana police to enter Haryana halting their Delhi march. The protesting farmers have been demanding the implementation of MSP guarantees and other farmer welfare measures. The Punjab government informed the court that discussions are ongoing with the farmers, and they remain hopeful of reaching a solution and representatives from the central government have also joined these deliberations.  Whereas, Dallewal has maintained a firm stance as he refused to call off his hunger strike despite his deteriorating health.

The Supreme Court had earlier appointed a panel chaired by Justice (Retd) Nawab Singh to mediate with the farmers. Dallewal had met the panel on January 6 after persuasion by the Punjab government but he refused to end his fast saying that he was ready to end his fast if the union government to resume talks with the farmers over the pending demands including guarnteed Minimum Support Price.