Punjab Officials Trying To Create Impression In Media That Court Is Persuading Farm Leader Dallewal To End Fast: SC

The Supreme Court said that the officials of the Punjab Government are creating an impression in the media that farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is being persuaded by the Apex Court to break his fast-unto-death, despite the Court's repeated directions that Dallewal is not to be forced to end his fast, while emphasising that medical aid must be provided to him.

A two-judge Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing a batch of petitions relating to the farmers' protest against certain unfulfilled promises by the Union Government. Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death for the past 38 days and has refused medical intervention.

"Explain one thing. There appears to be a deliberate attempt in the entire media where your officers are trying to create an impression as if there is a persuasion to Mr. Dallewal to break his fast. This is the kind of impression that people are getting and that is why he might be reluctant and hesitant." Justice Kant told Punjab's Advocate General Gurminder Singh.

Justice Kant's clarified that the Bench's previous directions to the state government did not imply that Dallewal should be persuaded to break his fast. "The directions that we have issued, do not mean that he should break his fast. We have said, when he is hospitalised, when his health part is taken care of, he can continue his peaceful protest. You have to persuade him from this angle", Justice Kant said.

Replying to the Bench's concern, the Advocate General replied, "The issue here is we have tried to persuade him to accept medical help, as per your lordship's directions. Our people are on site. He (Dallewal) is of the firm opinion... that he will accept medical help, subject to some intervention", possibly referring to Dallewal's insistence that the Union Government resumes discussions with the farmers.

Unconvinced, Justice Kant sternly told the Punjab AG, "Your attitude is not one of conciliation. That is the whole problem." The Punjab AG assured the Bench that this was not the case.

Justice Kant also said "irresponsible statements" are being made by various parties, "including some farm leaders, who want to complicate the situation". On the 'high-powered' committee formed by the Court in September, Justice Kant stressed, "Once his (Dallewal's) health part is taken care of, the committee's role will also become important."

On December 31, the Court had deferred hearing the matter after Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh informed the Court that negotiations to shift Dallewal to a makeshift hospital near the Khanauri border protest site were underway.

Yesterday, on January 1, the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reportedly said the Union Government will abide by the Court's directions passed in the case. “The Supreme Court is looking into the matter. We will accept whatever decision the apex court takes," he said.

In a previous hearing on December 19, the Court had emphasised that Dallewal must be allowed to continue his protest. "We don't him to force him to end his fast. But there is medical help that can be provided without forcing him," the Bench had said.

The Court granted the Punjab government to file compliance affidavits and will take up the matter on Monday, January 6, for further hearing.

Cause Title: State of Haryana And Anr. v. Uday Pratap Singh And Ors. [SLP(C) 6950-6953/2024]