The Supreme Court appointed a high-powered committee that met with Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Monday, who is on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana.

Led by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nawab Singh, the committee urged the septuagenarian Dallewal to seek medical assistance.

Jagjit Dallewal, convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), has been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 26, 2024, demanding various farmer-related issues, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for crops.

During a hearing earlier in the day, the Punjab government, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, informed the Supreme Court bench about the scheduled meeting with Dallewal.

In September 2024, the top court formed a high-powered committee to resolve the grievances of protesting farmers amicably. The committee includes retired IPS officer B.S. Sandhu, agriculture expert Devinder Sharma, professor Ranjit Singh Ghuman, and Dr. Sukhpal Singh, agricultural economist from the Punjab Agricultural University.

After meeting Dallewal, Justice (retd) Nawab Singh, who heads the committee, expressed concern for the farmer leader's health, stating, "We pray to 'Waheguru' that he should be healthy." When asked if Dallewal agreed to seek medical help, Justice Nawab Singh shared, "We all repeatedly requested him for medical help. We want his health to be good." He emphasized, "I came here today not to say that the agitation should end, but to ensure your health remains good. We are here whenever he says so." Despite the committee's repeated requests, Dallewal maintained that farming came first, and his health was secondary.

The committee, which reached the Khanauri protest site around 3:30 pm, was formed with confidence by Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant. Dallewal, however, has continued to refuse medical aid despite the prolonged fasting, which has seriously impacted his health.

Farmers under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, 2024, after their march to Delhi was halted by security forces.