Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Tuesday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a dialogue with him over deteriorating health condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
“The Punjab government is deeply worried about his health condition. I appeal to the PM and the Union Agriculture Minister to speak with him. Even a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister could resolve the entire issue. The reopening of Punjab’s border would alleviate the hardships faced by the common people,” Balbir Singh said.
He further said, “They are our people. When we need grain, we turn to them. They are feeding us, and their children are sacrificing their lives on the borders. PM Modi himself believes that communication is the only solution.”
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, has been sitting on a fast-unto-death since November 26 at the Khanauri border, demanding that the Centre accept the farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
A committee set up by the Supreme Court reached Dallewal on Monday who has turned down medical care. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Patiala, Mandeep Singh Sidhu confirmed the matter.
In yet another development, the apex court on Wednesday put on hold to Friday a plea for medical treatment and hospitalisation of Dallewal. Explaining its decision, a bench headed by Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia clarified that the court's orders regarding providing medical care did not mean it wanted Dallewal to abandon his hunger strike, but ensured the latter got better.
Media reports were brought to the attention of the bench where it was observed that the government officials in Punjab were giving an impression that the court was threatening Dallewal to give up his fast.
