The Supreme Court on Friday expressed deep concern regarding the deteriorating health of Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death protest at the Khanauri border for over 17 days.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan instructed representatives from the Centre and Punjab government to urgently meet Dallewal, provide necessary medical assistance, and convince him to end his protest, emphasizing that his life is invaluable.

The court further directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Punjab’s Advocate General Gurminder Singh to ensure that no force is used to end Dallewal’s fast unless absolutely necessary to preserve his life.

"You both look into this issue immediately and ensure that it is resolved," the bench told Mehta and Singh, while advising that Dallewal could be shifted to PGI Chandigarh or nearby Patiala city for urgent medical intervention, if the need arises.

The Supreme Court urged the protesting farmers to adopt the Gandhian method of peaceful protest, suggesting they temporarily suspend their actions or relocate from the highways. The court also instructed the high-powered panel it had set up to engage with the farmers. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26, is demanding that the Centre address key issues, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. 

Farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (a non-political group) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, after their march to Delhi was halted by security forces.