A high-powered committee appointed by the Supreme Court of India met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal near the Khanauri border of Punjab and Haryana, where he has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) and other agricultural reforms.
The meeting took place amid growing concerns over Dallewal’s deteriorating health. Local news outlets reported that Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for more than 40 days, was experiencing a drop in blood pressure, following his brief address on January 4, 2024 at a mahapanchayat held at the Khanauri protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border.
Earlier, the Punjab government informed the Supreme Court that the protesting farmers had agreed to meet the committee, which is headed by Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice (retd) Nawab Singh.
On January 2, the apex court had criticised the Punjab government for failing to ensure Dallewal’s hospitalisation. However, on January 6, a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan adjourned the hearing of a contempt petition against the Punjab government to January 10.
“We are hopeful that there will be a breakthrough,” senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is representing the Punjab government, told the apex court.
Dallewal’s hunger strike reached its 42nd day on January 6. He has consistently refused medical assistance offered by the state. “I have requested him that if he is healthy, it will be beneficial for us only. He will guide us,” Justice (retd) Nawab Singh told reporters at the protest site, adding that discussions with the farmers would continue.
“We have repeatedly requested him to seek medical care. We want him to remain in good health. I came here today not to say that the agitation should end,” the former judge said, “but to tell him his health should be good. We are ready to engage with him whenever he says so.”
Doctors have warned that Dallewal’s internal organs, including his liver, kidneys, and lungs, are under severe stress following his prolonged fast.
The committee, formed in September 2024 to address farmers’ grievances at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, includes retired Indian Police Service officer BS Sandhu, agriculture expert Devinder Sharma, professor Ranjit Singh Ghuman and Sukhpal Singh, an agricultural economist from Punjab Agricultural University.