Jagjit Singh Dallewal's health critical; SC to continue hearing on farmer leader's hunger strike today
Apex court had sought Dallewal's reports of blood tests, CT scan, and cancer diagnosis
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court will resume its hearing for the third consecutive day on Friday with regard to the condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 25 days at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana. The Punjab Government is likely to submit Dallewal’s medical reports, including his blood tests, CT scan, and cancer diagnosis, during the proceedings scheduled for 12.30 pm.
In the run-up to the the Supreme Court hearing, the Punjab Government formed a medical team comprising four doctors from Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. On Thursday, the team visited the protest site at Khanauri border to collect Dallewal’s blood samples and conduct an ECG. These reports will be presented to the court today.
Jagjit Singh Dallewal is leading the protest to demand MSP guarantee law for crops. Amid the ongoing agitation, Dallewal has raised six key concerns in a letter addressed to the Supreme Court, alleging that the Central Government has failed to fulfill promises made during the 2020–2021 farmer movement.
On December 18, the Punjab government submitted in the apex court that Dallewal’s health was stable. However, the Supreme Court questioned how such a conclusion was reached without conducting basic medical tests such as blood work and ECG. “How can a 70-year-old man, on hunger strike for 24 days, be declared healthy without proper medical evaluation?” the Bench asked.
Prior to this on December 17, the Punjab Government suggested that Dallewal should be hospitalised, citing health concerns. The Supreme Court said the state government must handle the situation carefully, given the emotional connection of farmers with Dallewal. The court underscored Dallewal's public stature and its implications for the farmer community.
The Supreme Court also stated that if farmers wish to directly address their concerns, they are welcome to approach the court or send representatives.
Background: Haryana’s ptition and SC intervention
The issue escalated after Haryana filed a petition in the Supreme Court concerning the protests at the Shambhu border, which began on February 13, 2024. Similar protests erupted at the Khanauri border. On July 10, 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the Shambhu border to be cleared within a week. Dissatisfied, Haryana approached the Supreme Court.
During an August 12, 2024 hearing, the Supreme Court formed a mediation committee to facilitate dialogue between the government and protesting farmers. On December 10, the committee submitted an interim report stating that the farmers were unwilling to engage in discussions.
Dallewal’s letter to the Supreme Court
In his letter to the Supreme Court, Jagjit Singh Dallewal expressed gratitude for the court’s concern about his health but reiterated the urgency of his demands:
Acknowledgment of farmer suicides: Dallewal said the lives of farmers lost to suicides due to flawed policies are more critical than his own
MSP law: He highlighted that the parliamentary standing committee on agriculture has also recommended an MSP guarantee law, aligning with farmers’ longstanding demands
Unfulfilled promises: Dallewal reminded the court that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had supported MSP guarantees during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister
Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations: The 2006 report by the Dr Swaminathan Commission, which suggested reforms to prevent farmer suicides, remains unimplemented. While the BJP promised MSP based on the C2 50% formula in 2014, the government later stated in an affidavit that it could not enforce the recommendations
Unkept commitments of 2018: Dallewal recounted assurances given by then Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, who promised implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s report within three months. This promise remains unfulfilled.
Broken promises of 2021: After the year-long farmer protests, the Agriculture Ministry assured guaranteed MSP for all farmers in a letter dated December 9, 2021. However, no action has been taken to date