In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Punjab government to persuade farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to shift to a hospital by December 31, 2024. Dallewal has been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 26 at the Khanauri border, demanding the Centre to provide a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
A vacation bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia, issued the order while taking a strong stance against the Punjab government’s handling of the situation. The court reprimanded the AAP-led state government for allowing the issue to escalate, putting Dallewal’s health at significant risk.
The Punjab government told the bench that it had been unable to move Dallewal to a hospital due to massive resistance from protesting farmers. Authorities claimed that the farmers had formed a barricade around Dallewal, preventing any medical intervention.
Despite these challenges, the Supreme Court expressed concerns over the state’s lack of action, pointing out that Dallewal was being influenced by peer pressure and that those obstructing his medical treatment were not his well-wishers. The court stressed the urgency of providing him with the necessary medical care.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court allowed the Punjab government to seek logistical assistance from the Central government if needed. The court also took note of a contempt petition filed against the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) for not complying with a previous order to provide medical aid to Dallewal.
The Punjab government was ordered to take immediate steps to ensure Dallewal’s hospitalization and was given until December 31 to comply with the directive.
Dallewal’s indefinite fast is part of a larger movement by farmers seeking legal guarantees for MSP and other demands aimed at protecting their livelihoods. The protests, which have gained significant momentum in Punjab, have drawn attention to the challenges faced by the farming community in the region.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how the Punjab government navigates the delicate situation, balancing the demands of the farmers and the Supreme Court’s orders.
এনেধৰণৰ অন্যান্য বা-বাতৰিৰ বাবে লাইক কৰক অসম লাইভ ২৪ ৰ ফেচবুক পেজ
