The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Punjab government for failing to act on its directive to provide immediate medical aid to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike in Khanauri, bordering Haryana state.
A bench of Justices Suryakant and Ujwal Bhuyan told Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh that its authorities should try to get him to the hospital for at least a week and someone else can continue the agitation during that period.
On Wednesday, the bench expressed concern over Dallewal’s health and asked for immediate medical treatment. Cancer sufferer Jagjit Singh Dallewal is on hunger strike for 24 days demanding agricultural reforms.
Punjab Advocate General Singh said on Thursday that senior officials had spoken to Dallewal and despite initial resistance, the medical team is now cooperating. He said that a nearby place called Haveli has been converted into a hospital and all the facilities have been kept ready for any emergency.
However, the bench wondered how the medical facilities could be shifted like this and asked if the authorities were capable of shifting him there.
If Singh wanted audience in the court, Justice Suryakant said the court was open to discuss with him but providing immediate medical aid was the first priority. “We want to provide him medical help first. Why is that priority ignored? We want to know about his health condition and all the health parameters. That can be done only after some tests on him. No one should take us for granted,” Justice Kant warned.
Punjab Advocate General Singh said thousands of protesters have gathered at the site to protest his transfer and have put trolleys together so that no vehicle can pass.
Judge Kant then asked the state to show his blood test report. To Punjab Advocate General Singh’s comment that he was fine till now, Justice Kant replied: “You say he is fine, not medical doctors. Doctors say he refused to be tested. You want civil/police officials to perform the duties of doctors? Past How can a doctor tell a 73-75 year old who has been on a fast for 21 days with a serious illness… You bring that doctor who guarantees. Absolutely right.”
Justice Bhuyan said he could continue his fast, but under medical supervision. Justice Kant added that such supervision can be done without consuming any food or liquid. The judge said that it is the responsibility of the state to get his blood test, cancer status, CT scan etc., “Nothing has happened. What kind of certificate are your officials issuing?” asked an angry Justice Kant.
Punjab Advocate General Singh submitted that there could be casualties in case of physical confrontation but the court said that the farmers and their leaders never entered into physical confrontation. The bench said: “They are living peacefully. These words are made by your authorities.”
Justice Kant told Singh that Punjab government officials should “stay alive to their constitutional responsibilities”.
Fixing it for re-hearing on Friday, the bench directed to submit the report of Dallewal’s medical examination before 1 pm.
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