The Supreme Court made it clear on Thursday that its directives to hospitalize and offer medical assistance to farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been fasting till death since November 26, were made for his health and not to break his fast.

Dallewal may continue his hunger strike with medical assistance, according to a panel of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia.

According to the report, Punjab government officials seem to be making a conscious effort to create the idea that Dallewal is under pressure from the court to break his fast in the media.

“Dallewal is most likely hesitant because of this. We were instructed not to interrupt his fast. We only suggested that his health issues be addressed and that he be allowed to go on with his nonviolent protests while in the hospital. This is how you have to convince him. He would still maintain his fast even after moving to the hospital.

Medical facilities are available to guarantee that his life won’t be harmed. That’s all we’re worried about. As the leader of a farmer, his life is valuable. “He is solely addressing the concerns of farmers and is not affiliated with any political ideology,” the bench told Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh.

Those who were making “irresponsible statements” to further complicate matters were also criticized by Justice Kant.

“Some individuals are uttering careless remarks. We know. To make matters more complicated, some so-called leaders of the farming community are making careless remarks. “What are their credentials for an investigation?” the bench asked.

The contempt plea against the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police for failing to follow the December 20 order for hearing was then scheduled for Monday by the bench.

In addition, it requested that the Punjab Chief Secretary provide a compliance affidavit pertaining to its December 20 directives.

In order to pressure the Center to grant the farmers’ demands, which include a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been fasting till death at the Khanouri border.

The Punjab government has been urged by the top court to provide Dallewal adequate medical assistance throughout his death-defying fast.

On December 9, 2021, farmers halted their year-long protest with the Central government’s promise that their demands would be granted, according to a new suit submitted by counsel Guninder Kaur Gill to the Supreme Court.

The petition asked the Center to give it instructions to follow its December 9, 2021, suggestion.

The court ordered Secretary-General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Union government, to get a copy of the petition and to receive training on the matters included in the plea.