Farmers' protest: SC pulls up Punjab Govt for not conducting medical tests on Dallewal

The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Punjab Government for not conducting medical tests on farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal despite doctors attending on him opining that his condition was deteriorating.

“We first want him to be provided medical aid. Why is that priority being overlooked? We want to know about his health condition and all health parameters. That can only be after he is subjected to certain tests. Nobody should take us for granted,” a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant said.

“You (Punjab Government) people are saying he is alright, not the medical doctors… Doctors say he is refusing tests. You want civil/police officers to perform the duty of doctors? How is a doctor able to tell that a person who is sitting there for the last 21 days on hunger strike… of the age of 73-75 years with serious ailments (is alright)...You bring that doctor who gives guarantee that he is absolutely perfect,” the Bench told Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh.

The Advocate General said despite initial resistance to medical help from the farmers, senior officials of the state met Dallewal and there were medical experts assisting him at the site.

About 100-200 metres away from the protest site, a place called 'Haveli' has been converted into a hospital, which can provide all necessary facilities to ensure medical assistance to Dallewal, he said.

The court’s comments came after the Advocate General said that Dallewal has refused medical aid/tests and since he was surrounded by thousands of farmers, any forced intervention to shift him could lead to a confrontation.

However, taking objection to the AG’s submission, the Bench said farmers have never entered into physical confrontation and that they have been agitating peacefully. “Tell your state machinery to be alive of their constitutional responsibilities. The farmers or their leaders have never entered into any physical confrontation. All these terminologies are concocted by your officers. They are sitting on a peaceful agitation”, Justice Kant said.

Asking the Punjab Government to look for alternate ways to provide him medical aid immediately, the Bench said, “Please convince him to go to hospital for a week to take treatment and then resume his fast-unto-death. There are other leaders who can continue the protest.”

Giving the example of Irom Sharmila of Manipur, the Bench suggested that Dallewal can continue with his protest and fast-unto-death under medical supervision and posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.

Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press for the acceptance of farmers' demands.