Farmers' Protest | 'Positive Developments' : Supreme Court On Dallewal Accepting Medical Aid & Farmers Agreeing For Talks With Union

Taking note of the fact that Punjab farmers' leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (who had been on a hunger strike since November 26 last year) has agreed to take medical aid and that the protesting farmers have agreed to hold talks with the Union Government, the Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 22) kept in abeyance the contempt proceedings initiated against Punjab Government officials over not shifting Dallewal to hospital.A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan was today informed by the Advocate General of Punjab Gurminder Singh along with Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, for the State of Punjab, that Dallewal(who has been on hunger strike for MSP and other issues) and other farmers' leaders have accepted medical intervention after a high-level deputation from the Union Government met the protesting farmers on January 18. The Court has expressed that it is hopeful that Dallewal will take care of his health to pursue his cause.Singh said: "The Union Government was kind enough to send their representative with a high-level delegation. They met the farmers along with Mr. Dallewal. Very positive. Two things happened-we have given the assurance that on February 14, at 5 pm, talks have been scheduled at Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Chandigarh. Farmers are ready and willing to participate. With that, 111 farmers who had kept fast they have broken their fast and Dallewal has taken medical aid as suggested. Though without breaking his fast, he has taken medical aid. Fortunately, within days, his ketone levels have gone from 6 to 1. He is improving very fast."Sibal also informed the Court that Dallewal has now been shifted to the makeshift hospital near the protest site. On this, Justice Kant suggested that if Dallewal wants to participate in the talks with the Union in Chandigarh, he take medical assistance from the PGI Chandigarh before that. The Court ordered: "...various positive developments have taken place. The Government of India sent a high-level deputation and met with Dallewal and other farmers' leaders. Both sides have agreed to have a dialogue and dispose of the issue in Chandigarh on 14 February, 2025. Mr. Dallewal, with this averment, has accepted medical aid and his condition has improved and shifted to a hospital 50 meters from the protest side. Dallewal has also agreed to be part of the delegation to resume talks with the Central Government and other authorities in Chandigarh in the February 14, 2025. We would like to impress upon Mr. Dallewal that he can go to Chandigarh in advance a couple of days before the meeting and have a proper medical checkup at PGI, Chandigarh and take necessary medical aid for his effective participation. We are also informed that some other farmers' leaders have also broken their fast and have agreed to resume the talks.....all the stakeholders will be able to take appropriate decision and will further line of action which may be in the national interest including for farmers community. In light of the present development, the contempt proceedings are kept in abeyance and the presence of officials dispensed. We were also informed the high-powered committee also met Dallewal..on join request, post matter for hearing on end of February."What has happened so far?On January 6, the matter was adjourned at the request of Sibal after he stated there had been a "breakthrough" in the stalemate between the Punjab Government and the protesting farmers and that the latter had been persuaded to meet Justice (Retired) Nawab Singh, the Chairperson of the High-Powered Committee constituted to negotiate with the protesters.It may be noted that earlier, the farmers' organisation Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which is at the forefront of the protests, had refused to meet the panel, which the Supreme Court constituted in September last year. Subsequently, on January 15, it was informed that since the meeting with the Committee, "effective steps" have been taken.The Court is currently hearing a contempt petition filed against the Punjab officials for not shifting Dallewal to the hospital.On January 2, the bench expressed displeasure with the State for not complying with the directions for taking Dallewal to the hospital. The bench reiterated that its order was not to break Dallewal's fast and clarified that he could continue his hunger strike under medical supervision. The Court called against the authorities and State media for reporting otherwise.Dallewal has been on fast-unto-death since November 26 at the Khanauri border, demanding the Union Government to accept farmers' demands including a statutory guarantee for Minimum Support Price for crops. Apart from being a cancer patient, Dallewal suffers from age-related ailments.Reportedly, due to his deteriorating health, he is now unable to take water. It is been said that even if he breaks his fast now, he will not be able to recover fully. But it has been pointed out to the Court that the farmers' leader has refused any medical...

Farmers' Protest | 'Positive Developments' : Supreme Court On Dallewal Accepting Medical Aid & Farmers Agreeing For Talks With Union

Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

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