NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to ensure that ongoing protests do not obstruct highways or inconvenience the public. The court pointed out that while peaceful protests are a democratic right, they must be conducted responsibly.
The SC made these observations while disposing a habeas corpus plea filed for Dallewal, who had been allegedly removed from the protest site at the Khanauri border and taken to a hospital in Ludhiana.
The top court mentioned that Dallewal had since been released and rejoined the protest.
Dallewal, a prominent farmer leader, vowed to continue his fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border to demand legal backing for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce.
Dallewal alleged that his removal from the protest site was a forced action by the Punjab government on behalf of the Centre, was discharged from a Ludhiana hospital on Friday evening.
Speaking to the media, Dallewal described his hospitalisation as a form of “detention,” claiming he was denied access to his phone and contact with media persons.
“Had I been admitted for a check-up, media persons could have met me. But I was essentially under police custody. No medical investigation was conducted during my stay,” he said.
Upon his release, Dallewal was welcomed by Sarwan Singh Pandher, a senior leader of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), who pledged continued support for the farmers’ agitation.
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