Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike, demanding legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), among other things, reached its 32nd day on Friday. Amid growing concerns over his deteriorating health, the Supreme Court on Friday rapped the Punjab Government for not shifting Dallewal to a hospital to provide adequate medical assistance. The Apex Court, emphasizing the sanctity of human life, directed the State Government to submit a detailed report and announced its intention to speak with Dallewal via videoconference during the next hearing scheduled for Saturday.
In response to the Apex Court’s stern directive, a high-level delegation from the Punjab Government, including Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Patiala Deputy Commissioner Dr Preeti Yadav, Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Nanak Singh, and medical experts, visited Dallewal at the protest site at Khanauri border. The team pleaded with the farmer leader to accept medical treatment, warning of the life-threatening risks associated with his prolonged fast.
Meanwhile, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also visited the site in the evening, urging the BJP-led Central Government to take immediate action by initiating dialogue with farmers. Cheema insisted that the Supreme Court should direct Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address Dallewal’s two letters and engage constructively to resolve the impasse.
SC’s Intervention
During Friday’s hearing, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, expressed concern over Dallewal’s worsening health. Observing that the farmer leader’s “life is our foremost priority”, the Bench reprimanded the Punjab Government for its perceived inaction in providing adequate medical assistance. The Court ordered the state authorities to ensure continued medical monitoring and submit a report on Dallewal’s condition by Saturday.
The Bench also indicated its intent to interact with Dallewal directly via videoconferencing to assess his health and motivations, signaling the gravity of the situation. The Court underscored the necessity for a peaceful resolution to safeguard both the individual’s life and broader public interest.
Punjab Govt’s High-Level Efforts
In compliance with the Court’s directives, a team of senior Punjab officials visited Dallewal at the Khanauri border protest site. The delegation included top administrative and law enforcement personnel, supported by a team of medical experts from Rajindra Medical College and Mata Kaushalya Hospital Patiala. The officials urged Dallewal to accept medical treatment and highlighted the extensive arrangements made for his healthcare.
The team asked the farmer leader to continue his agitation but take the necessary medicine and liquids necessary for his health. They also gave the option of shifting the farmer leader to Rajindra Medical College or Mata Kaushalya Hospital along with any volunteer.
Two Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances equipped with ventilators, ECG monitors, and other critical life-saving equipment like Defibrillator, Ventilator, Suction machine, Oxygen with mask, Intravenous fluids, Respiratory intubation equipment, catheterization have been stationed at the site. Additionally, a makeshift hospital within 700 meters of the protest venue has been set up with round-the-clock medical experts and state-of-the-art facilities.
The team even asked the farmer leader to even shift to the temporary hospital (makeshift arrangement), equipped with all the emergency medicines and equipment, like Ventilator, Multipara monitor, Oxygen, Ambubag, Intubation Kit, ETT tubes, BP apparatus, ECG Machine, Defibrillator, Saturation probe, Suction machine, Ryles tube, Glucometer and all the necessary injections and medicines.
Despite these assurances, Dallewal has steadfastly refused medical intervention, further alarming authorities.
DIG Mandeep Sidhu and DC Dr Yadav expressed their concerns over Dallewal’s health metrics, which have deteriorated significantly. Despite the officials’ persistent requests, Dallewal’s resolve to continue the hunger strike remain unshaken.
Finance Minister Calls for Central Govt Action
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema’s visit to Dallewal underscored the state’s solidarity with farmers. Cheema, speaking to the media after meeting Dallewal, emphasized that the Supreme Court should direct the Central Government to take immediate steps to resolve the farmers’ issues, including addressing Dallewal’s letters to the Prime Minister.
“The Supreme Court’s intervention in urging the Punjab Government to provide medical assistance is appreciated. However, the root cause of this crisis lies with the Central Government’s apathy…Instead of issuing directives to the state government, farmers unions or Dallewal ji, the Supreme Court should direct the Centre or even the Prime Minister,” said Cheema.
“A simple, constructive dialogue initiated by the Prime Minister could resolve this issue within 24 hours,” he added.
Cheema criticized the Central Government’s “stubbornness” and urged PM Modi to respond to Dallewal’s letters. “The farmers have written to the Prime Minister, laying out their demands. The Supreme Court should take suo motu cognizance of these letters and compel the Central Government to act,” he added.
Reflecting on the success of the farmers’ agitation that led to the repeal of the contentious farm laws in 2020-21, Cheema expressed optimism about achieving a similar resolution. “History has shown that when farmers unite, their voices cannot be ignored. This movement will succeed because justice is on the side of the farmers,” he declared.
“When the farmers united in their first struggle, the Modi Government was forced to bow down and repeal the black farm laws. I firmly believe that the Central Government will again have to relent and engage in meaningful dialogue. Solutions to such issues are always found through discussion, not stubbornness,” he said.
The Punjab government has expressed its full support for Dallewal and the broader farmers’ struggle. Minister Cheema reaffirmed the Aam Aadmi Party’s commitment, stating that the state will continue to amplify the farmers’ voices.
Growing Concern Around Dallewal’s Health
Dallewal, who is in his 70s, began his hunger strike over a month ago to demand MSP guarantees and broader reforms to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods. Initially abstaining from food, he has now stopped consuming water also, resulting in severe health complications. Reports indicate his blood pressure has plummeted to 88/59, significantly below the normal range for his age group, that is 133/69.
Medical professionals have noted a sharp decline in Dallewal’s immunity, raising fears of irreversible damage. Despite repeated appeals from officials, medical teams, and supporters, Dallewal has refused to accept any treatment. His steadfastness has turned him into a symbol of resilience for the farmers’ movement but has also heightened concerns for his life.
Panjab Bandh on Dec 30; Khap Mahapanchayat in Hisar on Dec 29
Khap Panchayats of Haryana, which have extended unwavering support to the farmers’ movement at Shambhu and Khanauri borders for the past 10 months, is set to convene a Khap Mahapanchayat in Hisar on December 29. The gathering is expected to strengthen the collective resolve of the farming community and chart the next course of action to press for their demands. Day after, the protesting farmer organizations, including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), have called for a statewide shutdown in Punjab on December 30. From 7 am to 4 pm, public transport, including buses and trains, will be halted. In addition, all government and private institutions will also remain closed during this period.
Farmers Mobilize Support for Punjab Bandh
To galvanize support for the Punjab Bandh scheduled on December 30, a vigorous awareness campaign led by farmer and labour organizations swept through Amritsar, urging the public to join the cause. Spearheaded by Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher, alongside Jarmanjeet Singh Bandala and Gurbachan Singh Chabba of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Punjab, thousands of farmers and labourers engaged directly with shopkeepers, street vendors, auto-rickshaw drivers, and the general public to rally support.
The Punjab Bandh is a key part of the Delhi Chalo Andolan 2.0, a movement that has intensified since its inception on February 13. In Amritsar, union representatives extended their outreach to inter-state bus terminals, placing posters on buses to inform travelers while ensuring essential services remain unaffected. These include medical facilities, wedding vehicles, and individuals traveling for interviews or flights.
Support from trade and public unions was evident during a rally at the Khanauri border on December 26. Leaders have called on all Punjabis to join the bandh, emphasizing collective welfare and solidarity against government indifference.
