Supreme Court To Review Dallewal’s Hunger Strike On Dec 31 As Farmers Protest Continues

As Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 35th day on Monday, the Supreme Court is set to review the Punjab government’s efforts to provide medical treatment to the ailing farmer leader on December 31.

On December 29, a team of Punjab government officials attempted to persuade Dallewal, a septuagenarian, to accept medical aid.

However, Dallewal refused, fearing that medical intervention would lead to forceful removal from the protest site.

Dallewal, alongside other farmers, has been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border in Khanauri, demanding several reforms, including a legal guarantee for a minimum support price for crops. Despite the concerns for his health, the farmers remain steadfast in their protest.

On December 29, a high-level team of Punjab officials met with Dallewal to urge him to accept medical assistance while continuing his fast. The Supreme Court’s vacation bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia, is scheduled to hear the case virtually at 11 am on December 31.

The Supreme Court, which went into winter recess on December 21, will resume hearings on January 2, 2025. In its previous hearing on December 28, the court expressed strong displeasure with the Punjab government for not relocating Dallewal to a hospital, questioning the intentions of the farmers for resisting medical treatment for their leader.

The court gave the state government time until December 31 to persuade Dallewal to accept hospital treatment, and if necessary, directed it to seek logistical support from the Centre.

The Punjab government, however, informed the court that the protesting farmers had surrounded Dallewal, preventing his transfer to a hospital.

Court emphasized its dissatisfaction with the Punjab government’s efforts to comply with its directives, particularly its order from December 20. Despite this, the court acknowledged the assurances provided by the advocate general, chief secretary, and director general of police of Punjab, granting more time for the state to take appropriate steps. The court also directed the Centre to provide necessary logistical support if needed.

In the previous hearing, the court had placed the responsibility of Dallewal’s health on the Punjab government, leaving the decision regarding his hospitalization to the state’s officials and doctors.

Dallewal has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Khanauri since November 26, and farmers from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.

Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International