Supreme Court issues notice to Punjab Govt over health of Jagjit Dallewal on hunger strike
Supreme Court will communicate with Jagjit Dallewal via video conferencing and then issue further orders
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Punjab Government regarding the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 32 days. The SC stated that the medical assistance being provided to Dallewal should continue, and "it seems that the Punjab Government is not ensuring this". The Supreme Court has directed the state government to submit a report by tomorrow.
The court was hearing a contempt petition against the Chief Secretary of Punjab. A Bench of the SC remarked that if there is a law and order situation, it should be handled strictly, as a life is at stake. The Punjab Government must take this matter seriously.
During tomorrow's hearing, the SC would also communicate with Jagjit Dallewal via video conferencing and then issue further orders. The court's top priority is to safeguard his life.
Dallewal, 70, has been on a hunger strike demanding a law guaranteeing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. He has refrained from food for the past 32 days and has also stopped drinking water, which is causing him to vomit. His fellow farmer leader, Abhimanyu Kohad, reported that Dallewal's blood pressure has dropped to 88/59.
For a man over 60, a normal blood pressure is considered to be 133/69. Dallewal's immunity has weakened significantly, but he has refused medical treatment. The Supreme Court had previously conducted three hearings regarding this matter.