Some farm leaders making ‘irresponsible statements’ to complicate matter: SC | India News

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 high court also pulled up the Punjab officials and noted that they were “creating a false impression in the media” that “attempts are being made” to break the farmer leader’s fast. Jagjit Singh Dallewalwho has been fasting unto death since November 26.
The court also posted a January 6 deadline for compliance with its December 20 order directing the punjab government to provide medical assistance and hospitalize Dallewal. The Supreme Court asked the Punjab chief secretary to file a compliance affidavit by Monday.
The Supreme Court further clarified that it never aimed to break Dallewal’s protest but was only concerned about his health.
Responding to the court’s observations, the Punjab government assured that efforts were being made to persuade Dallewal to seek medical help without breaking his fast, news agency PTI reported.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave the Punjab government three more days to implement the order to hospitalize Dallewal, but did not take cognizance of the state’s attempt to rope in the Center to break the impasse.
On December 28, the Punjab government had told the apex court that given the mobilization of farmers, who had erected a three-tier fort-like ring around Dallewal on fast, the state felt helpless to implement the court order of hospitalization, since the use of force would lead to serious collateral damage.
The Supreme Court had rebuked the State and warned it of constitutional consequences when it declared itself helpless and said, “To save one life, we cannot lose more lives.”
The court also indicated that it would not take cognizance of the state’s indirect plea to involve the Center in negotiations with farmers on the MSP issue.