Supreme Court hauls up Punjab govt: Your officers trying to mislead on Dallewal fast

“Our directions were not to break his fast. We only said that let his health part be taken care of and he can continue his peaceful protest even when he is hospitalised. You have to persuade him from this angle. Shifting 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 ideology and he is taking care of only the farmers’ cause,” Justice Kant said.

The court had earlier directed that Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death at Khanauri on the state’s border with Haryana, be shifted to a hospital where he can continue his protest while also receiving medical aid.

On Thursday, the bench criticised “some so-called farmer leaders” for making “irresponsible statements”.

“There are people who are making irresponsible statements. We are aware. There are some so-called farmer leaders who are making irresponsible statements to complicate things. What are their bona fides is a matter to be looked into,” Justice Kant said. The issue came up before the bench while it was considering an appeal by the Haryana government challenging the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to lift the blockade at the Shambhu border between Haryana and Punjab in view of the agitation by farmers.

Advocate General Singh told the bench that Dallewal’s stand was that he will accept medical aid only if the Centre expressed willingness for talks.

“We have tried to convince him 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,” he said. The bench did not seem convinced about the efforts claimed to have been made by the Punjab government to resolve the issue.

“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,” Justice Kant said.

The bench sought to know if the state had informed the farmers “that we have constituted a committee for this purpose”.

Singh said they had been informed, and that the committee has called the farmers for discussions Friday. He said the state was for resolving things through conciliation.

Justice Kant said, “Once Mr Dallewal’s health part 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 becomes easier.”

The bench also cautioned that if the state abdicates its responsibilities, it might even have to ask the Centre to step in. The court will take stock of the compliance of its directions on January 6.