Jagjit Dallewal has taken medical aid; talks with farmers scheduled on Feb 14: Punjab to Supreme Court

The Punjab government on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that farmers' leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite fast, has taken medical aid leading to an improvement in his health..Dallewal has been on fast as part of the ongoing farmers' protests demanding minimum support price for crops. Punjab Advocate General (AG) Gurminder Singh today informed the Bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan that Dallewal has been shifted to a makeshift hospital near the protest site.Singh also informed the Court that a high-level delegation of the Union government met the farmers including Dallewal on January 18 and that it has been decided to hold talks on February 14 in Chandigarh..The Court observed that Dallewal can be requested to reach Chandigarh few days before the talks and take proper medical assistance at PGIMER, Chandigarh. "He can go to Chandigarh in advance ... and take necessary medical care for his effective participation in the meeting," Justice Kant remarked.The Court also acknowledged that he is a popular farmer leader. "He is highly popular among farmers and has good original ideas on how issue is to be taken up," it said..The Court was hearing a contempt of court petition filed against the Chief Secretary of State of Punjab for not complying with a court order asking State to convince the fasting farmers' leader to go to a hospital.Earlier, the Court was informed that Dallewal was rejecting efforts to give him medical aid on concerns that it may weaken the farmers' movement. During a December 28 hearing, the State submitted that other farmers were keeping a vigil to prevent attempts to give medical aid to Dallewal. The State was left helpless, the AG had said."If State machinery says you are helpless, then do you know what is the repercussion? Court is not saying use unwanted force," the Bench had replied at the time. When the matter was heard on December 31, 2024, the State had indicated that Dallewal may agree to accept medical aid if the Central government shows readiness to talk with the protesting farmers. .AG Singh today submitted that due to the positive developments including the visit of a delegation from Centre, various farmers have broken their fast and agreed to resume talks. Pertinently, Dallewal is still on fast. The Court said it is hopeful that Dallewal will take care of his health. With regard to the scheduled talks, the Court said,"We are sanguine that condition at the site will improve and all the stakeholders will be able to take some appropriate decision and will resolve the future course of action, which may be in the national interest and will be beneficial for all and one, including the farmers community.".Taking note of the positive developments in the case, the Court ordered that contempt proceedings against Punjab Chief Secretary be stayed till further orders. "We are also informed the High Powered Committee headed by Justice Nawab Singh also had a long interaction with Mr Dallewal and other farmer leaders and they are also working in the direction to resolve the impending issues," it added, while adjourning the matter till next month..Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal also appeared for the State of Punjab.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the Union government. .[Read Live Coverage]