Supreme Court's high-powered committee meeting on farmers' protest cancelled; Dallewal's hunger strike enters 39th day
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee's meeting in Haryana's Panchkula scheduled to discuss farmers' concerns has been postponed following the refusal of farmer unions to attend. The meeting was originally set for 11 am Friday. The union is set to hold a crucial meeting in Ludhiana today.
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ugrahan has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming meeting of the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee scheduled for January 4. This decision comes after the union also refrained from attending today’s meeting. The SKM had already announced its stance against the committee’s meetings.
Meanwhile, farmer leader jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike has entered its 39th day, and his health remains critical. In a video message shared this morning, Dallewal appealed to people to join him at the Khanauri border on January 4 to support the ongoing battle for MSP. He urged, “I want to see all of you at the Khanauri border on January 4. I humbly request you to be there and support this fight for MSP. I will be grateful for your presence.”
Doctors have issued a medical bulletin stating that Dallewal’s condition is worsening rapidly. According to medical reports, his body is now almost entirely skeletal, with only bones remaining, and his blood pressure continues to drop. Dallewal has become physically weakened due to prolonged fasting.
Farmer leaders have reiterated that all statements issued by the SKM and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are made responsibly, in line with constitutional norms and with respect to language decorum. They said all statements were in harmony with Dallewal’s cause.
Farmer leaders have also urged the Supreme Court to intervene and issue directions to the Centre. They stated that when no other avenue for justice is available, the Supreme Court remains the last hope for seeking justice. The leaders have requested that the Supreme Court enforce the implementation of both the parliamentary committee report and the interim report of the Supreme Court’s committee concerning farming issues.
Earlier, the Supreme Court heard a petition related to the ongoing farmers' protest, where it took a stern stance against the Punjab Government. The court observed that efforts were being made to deliberately worsen Dallewal’s health, although it emphasised that it never asked him to end his hunger strike. The court also pointed out the irresponsible statements made by certain leaders.
In response, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed a press conference in Chandigarh, stating that the state government is adhering to the court's orders. He confirmed that 50 doctors have been deployed for Dallewal’s care, and a temporary hospital has been set up near the protest site. The Chief Minister emphasised that the state government is in constant communication with the farmers and urged the Centre to engage in talks with the farmers, abandoning its rigid stance.
- PTC NEWS
