NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Thursday was very critical of Punjab government’s approach towards implementation of its December 20 order for hospitalisation of farmer representative Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death protest had gone on for more than a month without medical aid.
“There is a deliberate attempt by Punjab government and a section of media to project that Supreme Court is attempting to break Dallewal’s fast. That is far from the truth. We have reiterated that we want his health and life to be protected,” a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said. “We have also repeatedly said that he could continue his protest fast from the hospital. His life is precious. After his life is secured, we can discuss all issues for their resolution.”
Justice Kant told Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh that government and its representatives are “making irresponsible statements. The so-called farmer representatives are also issuing statements to keep the pot boiling. What are their bona fides? If government is helpless in tackling the situation, then we can pass appropriate orders under the Constitution”.
Supreme Court asked Punjab chief secretary and DGP to file their compliance affidavits by Monday, when it would take up Dallewal’s health issue for hearing.
Hearing a PIL seeking direction to Union government for implementation of the proposal to deliberate on legal guarantee of MSP made to protesting farmers in 2021, SC asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta to consider the PIL and take instructions from the Centre on the relief sought by it.
“We have constituted a high-powered committee led by a retired high court judge who has roots in agriculture and comprising representatives of farmers and agriculturists, whose names were given by both sides. We as a court cannot have dialogue with farmers directly.”
Supreme Court asked the Centre and the high-powered committee to give their views on the PIL in 10 days.
In its December 9, 2021 statement, Union agriculture ministry had said it has formed a committee comprising representatives of Union and state governments as well as Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), and one of the mandates of the committee “will be to ensure that farmers of the country get MSP”. Based on this assurance, farmers had withdrawn their agitation, the PIL petitioner said.
