- विज्ञापन -
Chandigarh: Farmers at the Khanauri border have ramped up security around their protest site, concerned that the Punjab government may attempt to forcibly hospitalize veteran farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for over a month. This move follows the Supreme Court’s directive, which allows the state government until December 31 to convince Dallewal to seek medical care.
Dallewal, 67, began his hunger strike on November 26 to demand a legal guarantee for a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The Supreme Court recently criticized the Punjab government for failing to ensure Dallewal’s hospitalisation despite repeated medical recommendations, calling it a serious failure of law enforcement and potentially an “abetment to suicide.”
The court expressed frustration over the government’s inability to manage the situation, pointing out that farmers have effectively created a “virtual fort” around the protest site, making it difficult for authorities to intervene. The Punjab Advocate General argued that any attempt to forcibly move Dallewal could lead to violence and collateral damage, complicating the government’s position.
During a special court session, justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia condemned the government’s handling of the crisis, emphasizing the need to prioritize human life over political demands. The court warned Punjab’s chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) that they could face strict consequences if the order to hospitalize Dallewal is not followed.
Despite the government’s claims of being “helpless,” the court highlighted that multiple medical boards have been monitoring Dallewal’s health, and attempts by senior officials to persuade him to seek medical help have been unsuccessful. The justices questioned the motivations of those obstructing Dallewal’s hospitalisation, suggesting that it reflects poorly on the leadership within the farmer community.
The court reiterated that Dallewal could continue his fast in a hospital setting where his health can be properly managed and called for clear communication to the protestors about the risks of allowing their leader to remain in such a precarious state. The case will be revisited on December 31, with the court emphasizing its commitment to protecting Dallewal’s life while acknowledging the broader context of farmers’ demands for systemic agricultural reform.
