Today, the Supreme Court ordered the immediate hospitalization of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a 70-year-old farmer leader, who has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that Mr. Dallewal's health is rapidly deteriorating and warned that the "entire state machinery will be held responsible" in case of any unfortunate incident.

"As an elected government and constitutional organ, you would not like to invite blame if something happened to him," Justice Kant told the central and state governments. 

The remarks were made as the Bhagwant Singh-led Punjab government highlighted that Mr. Dallewal had refused medical treatment despite his deteriorating health, insisting that he is willing to sacrifice his life for farmers' rights. However, the Supreme Court emphasized that Mr. Dallewal, being a prominent farmers' leader, cannot be treated leniently in such circumstances.

"He's (Mr Dallewal) their leader. The farmers should also be concerned about his health... You tell us something tomorrow. Do something swiftly," he added. 

The bench also instructed the protesting farmers at the site to assist Mr. Dallewal in ending his fast and encouraged the cultivators to directly approach the court to express their grievances.

"We clarify that the court's doors are always open to any suggestion or demand by farmers directly or through their authorised representative," it said. 

Farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been campaigned at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders since February 13, after their march to Delhi to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) was halted by security forces.

A group of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, 8, and 14, but Haryana security personnel blocked their way.

Mr. Dallewal, a cancer patient, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border to urge the Centre to address the farmers' demands.

In the Supreme Court, Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh informed the bench that doctors have advised Mr. Dallewal's hospitalization to prevent further deterioration of his health.

Further, he mentioned that extensive discussions were held with Mr. Dallewal and other farmers, but they refused to engage with a high-powered committee set up by the state government to address their grievances. Despite the committee's invitation for a meeting on December 17, the protesting farmers declined to participate.