Chandigarh: The Supreme Court on Saturday ordered the Punjab government to shift farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to a hospital by December 31. Failure to comply would result in contempt of court charges against Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
A vacation bench of Justice Suryakant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia expressed strong disapproval of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government’s failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s orders to provide medical assistance to Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike since November 26.
The Supreme Court warned Punjab’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police that if the order to move Dallewal to a hospital was not followed, contempt charges would be filed against them.
“This is a case of contempt, and the next step is known to everyone. Why not file charges against the Chief Secretary and DGP? This is the logical progression of the contempt case”, observed the bench, reprimanding both the officials.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has expressed its helplessness before the court, citing strong opposition from the protesting farmers surrounding Dallewal, which has made it difficult to move him to the hospital. Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh told the Supreme Court that Dallewal had refused to go to the hospital, the farmers also prevented the officials from doing so.
“If he is forcibly taken to the hospital, there is a danger of loss of life and property between both the parties–farmers and police,” he said.
Singh told the court that a team of experts visited the protest site and tried to convince Dallewal to go to the hospital for treatment, but he refused, stating it would weaken the movement. Thousands of farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been protesting at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders since February 13. Their demands include a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) of crops.
“I am on a fast unto death voluntarily, not under anyone’s pressure”, said Dallewal.
In response to the Supreme Court’s order, Dallewal, in a video message said, “On one hand, the Hon’ble Supreme Court is expressing concern about my health, and on the other, an attempt is being made to forcibly admit me to the hospital by any means, what kind of sympathy is this?”.
He questioned why the Supreme Court was focusing only on Punjab and not directing the central government to address the farmers’ demands. He said that the central government has not implemented the recommendations of the Parliament and Supreme Court Committee on the issue of the law guaranteeing MSP.
He said that when a person fails to get justice anywhere, their last hope is the Supreme Court. However, after the court passed the order, it seems that the court is also encouraging the central government to take harsh action against the farmers.
“I am on a fast unto death voluntarily and I am not under anyone’s pressure, at the behest of the central government, an attempt is being made to spread the misconception that I am under someone’s pressure”, he added.