Medical help not a ruse to derail Dallewal’s strike: SC
Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant made it clear on Thursday that efforts to hospitalise farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal are not a ruse to derail his hunger strike. He lashed out at the Punjab government and other leaders for deliberately creating such an impression in the media. His companion judge on the Bench, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, separately questioned the Centre’s persisting reluctance to come out with a statement that its “doors are open” to consider the “genuine grievances” of the protesting farmers. Both judges on the Bench seemed to be keenly aware that Mr. Dallewal’s medical condition was becoming riskier by the day. “This issue is becoming more and more sensitive, and time is passing,” Justice Kant observed. “Why cannot your client make a statement that you will consider the genuine grievances of the farmers… That your doors are open… Why can’t the Central government make a statement?” Justice Bhuyan asked Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, who appears for the Haryana government in the case but has also made submissions on behalf of the Centre. Mr. Mehta said there were “several factors weighing in” for the Centre. He underscored that the issue currently before the court was the health of one individual, Mr. Dallewal. He assured the court that the Centre was “concerned with each and every farmer”. But Justice Bhuyan said Mr. Dallewal’s continuing fast, which had crossed more than 35 days, was surely linked to a face-to-face with the Centre. “That is linked to this…” Justice Bhuyan remarked. Justice Kant accused the Punjab government, its officers, and even farmer leaders of insinuating in the media that efforts were on to break Mr. Dallewal’s fast by “evacuating” him from the Khanauri protest site to a hospital. “Our directions do not mean that he should break his fast even in the hospital. After his health is taken care of, he can continue with his peaceful protest. Shifting to the hospital does not mean he will not continue with his fast. Our concern is that he should get access to medical help and facilities,” Justice Kant explained. He said Mr. Dallewal was a “precious leader” who was not aligned to any political ideology but devoted to the farmers’ cause. The judge said the Punjab government’s attitude seemed to be against any sort of conciliation. “There are people making irresponsible statements… even farmer leaders, their bona fide as regards Mr. Dallewal needs to be looked into,” Justice Kant said.

Punjab Advocate-General Gurminder Singh assured that the State was not taking any sides and was doing its best to convince Mr. Dallewal to accept medical aid. “He (Dallewal) is of the firm opinion, as conveyed to our mediators, to the media and in his own messages, that he will take medical help subject to some intervention… We (Punjab) are only for conciliation. We are handling the situation on the ground every day, every moment. We are trying to work out a solution,” Mr. Singh said. The court issued notice on a petition by Mr. Dallewal’s friend, Guninder Kaur Gill, who said the government could not go back on “promises” made to the farmers. The Haryana government’s plea against the boundary blockages was also listed, along with a contempt petition against the Punjab Chief Secretary and police chief for their inability to comply with earlier apex court orders to hospitalise Mr. Dallewal. The next hearing is scheduled for January 6. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said the Centre would accept whatever decision the court took on Mr. Dallewal’s hunger strike. In an editorial, The Hindu contended that the Punjab and Haryana governments and the Union Government must ensure that his life is not in danger; and Mr. Dallewal and his associates should heed the advice of other farmers’ leaders and clear the apprehensions that he is under pressure to continue with the hunger strike.

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