NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday made a serious observation in the backdrop of the ongoing farmers’ protest, stating that officials and some farmer leaders have been “making irresponsible statements to complicate the situation”.
The top court also pulled up the Punjab officials while noting that they were “creating a false impression in the media” that “attempts are being made” to break fast of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on fast-onto-death since November 26.
The court also posted for January 6 for compliance with its December 20 order directing the Punjab government to provide medical aid and hospitalise Dallewal. The Supreme Court asked the Punjab chief secretary to file a compliance affidavit by Monday.
The Supreme Court further clarified that it never directed to breaking Dallewal’s protest but was only concerned with his health.
In response to the court’s observations, the Punjab government assured that efforts were being made to persuade Dallewal to take medical help without breaking his fast, reported news agency PTI.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted Punjab government three more days to implement the direction to hospitalise Dallewal, but did not take cognisance of the state’s attempt to involve the Centre in breaking the impasse.
On December 28, Punjab government had told the apex court that given the mobilisation of farmers, who have thrown a three-tier fortress like ring around fasting Dallewal, the state felt helpless in implementing the court’s order for hospitalisation as use of force would lead to serious collateral damages.
The Supreme Court had rebuked the state and warned it of constitutional consequences when it pleaded helplessness and said, “To save one life, we cannot lose more lives.”
The court also indicated that it would not take cognisance of the state’s indirect plea to involve Centre in negotiations with farmers on the MSP issue.
