Farmers' protest: Supreme Court asks Centre, Punjab to secure medical aid for Jagjit Dallewal

The Supreme Court on Friday urged the Union government and the State of Punjab to ensure that necessary medical aid is provided to farmer Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast unto death as part of the protests against the Central government for minimum support price for crops. .A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said that the life of Dallewal is precious since he is the leader of the farmers and all peaceful measures must be adopted to save his life. However, the Bench made it clear that force should not be used to make him eat food."During course of hearing it was apprised that health condition of Mr. Dallewal is worsening since he is on fast unto death. it is the bounden duty of State of Punjab and Union to take all peaceful measures to grant medical aid to Mr. Dallewal and not force him to eat unless it is imperative to save him," the Court said.It also persuaded the authorities to have a direct dialogue with Dhaliwal to convince him to accept medical aid."Please have a direct dialogue since life of Mr. Dallewal is precious than any agitation. A person who is providing them leadership and statesmanship must be protected. Please take the steps immediately. Director general of State of Punjab along with a representative of Union of India so that Mr. Dallewal and others can be convinced that first priority is to persuade and provide emergent medical aid to Mr. Dallewal," the Court said.The State government told the Court that it will handle the issue and also requested the Bench not to pass any orders to shift him to the hospital since any such action could create law and order issues."Please do not direct shifting to hospital. It may create issues. There is a strong sentiment against use of force to take him away and it may turn into something else. We will handle it (the issue) and let it be left to us," the Advocate General of Punjab told the apex court..The Court was hearing Haryana government's plea against Punjab and Haryana High Court's direction to remove the blockade at Shambhu Border.The border has been blocked to prevent farmers from marching to Delhi to raise their demands.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, submitted that a committee was constituted to frame issues and look into it but the progress of the committee has been slow.The Bench said that the committee is doing a good job and they are taking some time.The Advocate General of Punjab said that the blockade of highway causing losses to Punjab. "Finances of state suffering since main arterial highway is blocked," he said."The committee might be the best persons to convince the farmers that since issues are being looked into, they may defer it. Of course, not withdraw the agitation, agitation can always resume," Justice Kant replied..The Court then proceeded to direct the committee to persuade the farmers to shift the protest venue or pause the protests for a while."Let the committee persuade the farmers to either shift venue and clear the highway or pause the protest for a while," the Court recorded in its order.The matter will be heard next on December 17.