Day after SC advice, Dallewal refuses to visit PGI for check-up

On the 59th day of his indefinite fast, farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal declined the Supreme Court's suggestion to visit the PGI, Chandigarh, for a “proper medical check-up” before meeting the Central Government’s representatives.

Responding through farm leader Kaka Singh Kotra, Dallewal expressed gratitude to the apex court for its concern, but said he would only attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, a day after a controversy over alleged lapses in the treatment of Dallewal, farmers on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the services offered by the new team of doctors.

The controversy had escalated after anaesthetist Dr Harnoor Singh raised concerns about working environment at the protest site. In a letter to Rajindra Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Girish Sahni, he had alleged that doctors on duty faced harassment and verbal abuse by farmers and Dallewal.

The new team of doctors has reported a gradual improvement in Dallewal's health

The blocking of Facebook page of US-based cardiologist Dr Swaiman Singh has left farm leaders fuming. Kotra termed it as yet another attempt by the authorities to muzzle descent and truth.

US citizen Dr Swaiman Singh gained prominence when he quit his job and came to India and spent around a year here during the 2020-21 farm stir and provided free medical aid to ailing farmers.

Dr Swaiman Singh, whose team is overseeing Dallewal’s treatment, had warned in a video message that the farm leader’s condition might require a good diet for sustained recovery. He had urged farm unions to press the government to advance the date of meeting to avoid risking Dallewal’s health further.