The Supreme Court on Wednesday reaffirmed its willingness to address the concerns of protesting farmers, emphasizing that the judiciary’s doors remain open for suggestions and grievances. This reassurance came after Punjab’s government informed the court that the farmers had refused to engage with a high-powered committee formed to address their demands.
Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh stated that multiple discussions had been attempted with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26 at the Khanauri border. Despite being invited to talks on December 17, the farmers declined to interact with the committee.
Singh suggested that the protesting farmers should instead be allowed to directly present their issues before the court. Addressing this, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said, “The court’s doors are always open to any suggestion or demand by farmers directly or through their authorized representative.”
The court also expressed concern over Dallewal’s health, urging the Punjab government to ensure immediate medical assistance. Dallewal, a 70-year-old cancer patient, has been fasting for over three weeks, demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops. A team of specialists from Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, has been deployed to monitor his condition round-the-clock.
In addition to Dallewal’s hunger strike, farmers across Punjab have intensified their protests, announcing a three-hour ‘rail roko’ agitation at 52 locations statewide to push their demands.
The Supreme Court’s statement underscores its intent to mediate while urging both the government and protesting farmers to find a resolution to the impasse.
