SC-appointed panel meets Jagjit Dallewal, urges him to take medical aid

A Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee on Monday met Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana.

The committee headed by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nawab Singh requested septuagenarian Dallewal to take medical aid.

Dallewal, who is the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), has been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 26, 2024, over the farmers' demands.

During a hearing in the Supreme Court earlier in the day, the Punjab government, through senior advocate Kapil Sibal, informed the bench about the scheduled meeting.

The apex court in September 2024 formed the committee with the aim to amicably resolve the grievances of protesting farmers.

The committee also comprises retired IPS officer BS Sandhu, agriculture expert Devinder Sharma, professor Ranjit Singh Ghuman and Dr Sukhpal Singh, agricultural economist from Punjab Agricultural University.

Addressing the media after meeting Dallewal, Justice Nawab Singh (retd) said, "We pray to 'Waheguru' that he should be healthy."

On being asked whether Dallewal agreed to avail medical aid, Nawab Singh said, "We all repeatedly requested him for medical (help). We want his health to be good."

"I came here today not to say that the agitation should end," the former judge said, "but to say ‘your health should be good’.

Singh said Dallewal told the panel that for him, farming came first, his health later.

The committee reached the Khanauri protest site at around 3.30 pm and met Dallewal.