Jagjit Singh Dallewal may agree to receive medical aid if... : What Punjab told Supreme Court

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a farmers' leader who has been on a fast to death as part of protests demanding a minimum support price for crops, may agree to get medical aid if the Central government is agreeable to accepting an invite for talks with the protesting farmers, the Punjab government told the Supreme Court on Tuesday. .A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia had earlier expressed deep concern over the farmer leader's alleged refusal to get medical aid on concerns that it may weaken the protests. On December 29, a team of Punjab government officials had tried to convince the Dallewal to accept medical help, but he again refused, fearing forceful removal from the protest site..Today, Punjab Advocate General (AG) Gurminder Singh told the Court that if some more time is afforded, there may be an end to the impasse. "Some intervenors had gone, (to try and) talk to them. Yesterday two things happened. First, Punjab bandh was declared, it resulted in blockages all over Punjab ... Second, there is a proposal to the Centre that in case they (farmers) get an opportunity to talk, Mr. Dallewal is ready to get aid," he informed the Court. .The Court noted that an application had also been filed seeking some time before the case is heard further. The Bench added that it is inclined to grant time as sought, to see if there can be a resolution that is acceptable to all parties. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta did not oppose the adjournment, stating that he had no instructions on this aspect. Given the urgency of the matter, he suggested that the matter could be listed on January 2 or 3. The Court, accordingly, granted three days of time and listed the hearing on January 2, 2025. .The Court was hearing a contempt of court petition filed against the Chief Secretary of State of Punjab for not complying with a December 20 order of the top court wherein the State was asked to convince fasting farmers' leader to go to hospital.The Court was later informed that Dallewal was rejecting efforts to give him medical aid."Mr. Dallewal has refused to be administered medical aid. Our speaker has visited and expressed solidarity and all efforts to persuade him has not worked. He has refused medical intervention since it will weaken the movement," the AG had informed during an earlier hearing. He had added that other farmers were keeping a vigil to prevent attempts to give medical aid to Dallewal. The State was left helpless, the AG had said during the December 28 hearing. "If State machinery says you are helpless, then do you know what is the repercussion? Court is not saying use unwanted force," the Bench had replied at the time. In view of the application for more time and in view of the Punjab AG's submissions, the Court today deferred the hearing till January 2, 2025. .[Read Live Coverage]