New Delhi: The Punjab government on Tuesday sought more time from the Supreme Court to shift farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been fasting for the last 35 days, to hospital in compliance with the apex court’s order.
The Punjab government told the court that negotiations are ongoing at various levels with the protesting farmers, and efforts are underway to move Dallewal to a hospital.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia scheduled the matter for further hearing on January 2, following a request from Advocate General Gurminder Singh, representing the Punjab government. Singh informed the court that an application had been filed seeking an additional three days to comply with the court’s December 20 order.
Singh stated that a team of negotiators is in talks with the protesting farmers at the site, and efforts are being made to move Dallewal to a nearby makeshift hospital on the Punjab side of the Khanauri border.
The bench noted that it did not wish to comment on the ongoing discussions with the farmers but emphasised the need for compliance with its previous orders. The court recorded Singh’s submissions and adjourned the hearing.
On December 28, the Supreme Court criticised the Punjab government for failing to shift Dallewal to a hospital, raising concerns about the intentions of the protesting farmers who resisted providing medical aid to their elderly leader.
Dallewal’s indefinite fast
Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26, demanding that the Centre meet the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) on crops.
Farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after their march to Delhi was halted by security forces.
