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Journalism of Courage
The Supreme Court Friday expressed displeasure over the conduct of the protesting farmers from Punjab allegedly preventing attempts to ensure medical aid for their leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death protest at Khanauri on the state’s border with Haryana.
The bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, asked the Punjab Government to ensure that Dallewal is provided adequate medical aid and directed that a compliance report be filed by Saturday when it will take up the matter again. Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death protest since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the protesting farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
“We have serious doubts on those farmers, those who are not conscious and concerned about his life,” Justice Kant presiding over the two-judge bench said as Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh submitted that any attempt to remove him to hospital from the protest site might lead to jostling.
While hearing the issue on December 20, the Supreme Court put the onus of ensuring that Dallewal’s health remains stable entirely on the Punjab government and asked the state authorities to move him to hospital if necessary. Subsequently, an application was filed before the court accusing the Punjab Government of not complying with the December 20 order and seeking contempt of court proceedings against the chief secretary.
Taking it up Friday, Justice Dhulia said there is an “impression” that the Punjab government is not doing enough to save Dallewal’s life. “Somebody’s life at stake. You need to take it seriously. Medical aid has to be given and the impression is that you are not following it,” said Justice Dhulia.
The bench also issued notice to the Punjab Government on the contempt of court plea.
“If some people are creating law and order problem, you must deal with it with an iron hand…” said Justice Kant.
Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh said that a team led by a Cabinet minister visited Dallewal on December 24. The protesting leader gave the team a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Centre’s intervention might ease the situation.
Justice Kant assured that the court will do whatever it can to defuse the situation and it will also seek help from the Centre.
Punjab AG Gurminder Singh said that Dallewal’s view is that he will cooperate only if some dialogue is opened up. To this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the priority should be to shift him for medical aid. “A few people cannot keep him hostage when his life is in danger..,” added Mehta.
Justice Kant told Singh to convey to Dallewal that the court would hear his viewpoint the moment he was fine.
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