SC asks why are farmers still on roads despite challenging farm laws in courts
According to a bench led by Justice AM Khanwilkar, the protesting farmers should put their trust in the system and the courts rather than prolonging their protests against Farm Laws.
The Supreme Court on Friday expressed its displeasure with farmers who have continued to protest three agricultural laws despite contesting the legitimacy of such legislation in courts, including the apex court.
As per a Bench led by Justice AM Khanwilkar, after the laws have been challenged in court, the protesting farmers should put their trust in the system and the courts rather than occupying the roads for prolonging their protests.
SC considering a petition, requesting permission for Satyagraha
The Court was considering a petition from Kisan Mahapanchayat, which requested permission to conduct Satyagraha at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
During the hearing, the Court expressed its displeasure with protestors who, it observed, were causing a nuisance to the general public.
The Bench also noted that the farmers had strangled the city and were now seeking to protest inside it. This ‘coaxing’ should come to an end, the Bench stated.
It also observed that the protesters had obstructed highways and roadways. The protestors are also damaging property, according to the court, and have been spotted heckling security personnel. It, however, cited that such reports were “all over the media.”
Police barricaded the roadways, not the farmers: Petitioner’s lawyer
In his reply, the petitioner’s lawyer, Ajay Choudhary, said that it is the police officers who have barricaded the roadways, not the farmers.
He further stated that the petitioner association is not participating in the demonstrations.
Consequently, the petitioner was then asked to provide an affidavit to that effect, saying that it is not taking part in the demonstrations. He was directed to serve an advance copy of the petition to the Attorney General.
Later, the court ended the hearing of the case, which will now be heard again on Monday, October 4.
Standoff between farmers and Centre government continues
Pertinently, the three contentious farm laws including Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020, Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and Amendment to Essential Commodities Act have been challenged in court by a number of farmers’ unions, organizations, and individuals. Farmers have called the new laws as being unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional.
On January 12, 2021, the Supreme Court delayed the three laws’ execution and ordered the establishment of a four-member committee to hear all parties and stakeholders and make a report to the Court.
Farmers, mainly from the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, have continued to demonstrate at the Delhi border because the government has refused to repeal the new laws.