Jagjit Singh Dallewal
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: The Punjab government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that protesting farmers have given a proposal that their leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on hunger strike, would take medical help if the Centre was ready to talk to them over their demands including legal guarantee of minimum support price.
The top court granted three additional days to the Punjab government, upon a request to persuade farmers leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to take medical help, who is fast unto death since November 26.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia said, "We will not comment on what is going on or about negotiations. If something happens which is acceptable to all sides, we are equally happy."
The court took note of an application filed by the Punjab government in this regard.
Punjab's Advocate General Gurminder Singh submitted some intervenors went to talk to Dallewal on Monday. He said a call for bandh was given resulting into blockades all over the state.
He also said there is proposal to the Centre and in case, it is open to talk, Dallewal is ready for medical help.
"We will grant time to see if there is something agreeable to all sides," the bench said.
In its order, the bench said, "Taking into consideration totality of circumstances and in the interest of justice, we are inclined to accept the request to afford some more time for compliance of the directions issued by this court."
The court posted the matter for consideration to January. It also directed the Punjab's Chief Secretary and DGP to be present online during the hearing.
The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by Labh Singh against the failure of the state government to provide medical help to Dallewal, who has been on hunger strike, in terms of the apex court's order of December 20.
On December 28, the Supreme Court had expressed its annoyance over opposition to medical aid to Dallewal, by wondering what kind of leaders are those who are allowing Dallewal to die there at the spot!
The court had also come down heavily upon the Punjab government over its failure to provide medical aid to Dallewal, observing time is running out and this crisis needs to be diffused at the earliest. The court had made it categorical that it would not accept any pre condition for it.
Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border since November 26, demanding the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) on crops.