The Supreme Court on Friday challenged the stance of farmers who continue to oppose the three agricultural laws despite challenges to their validity in courts, including the Supreme Court.
A bench led by Judge AM Khanwilkar said that once the legislation is put in court, protesting farmers should trust the system and the courts rather than continue the protests.
Once you have approached courts challenging the laws, what is the point of continuing the protests? If you have faith in courts, pursue that for urgent hearing instead of protesting,” the judge noted.
The Court heard a plea from Kisan Mahapanchayat asking for permission to hold Satyagraha at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
During the hearing, the Court also objected to the protesters’ inconvenience to the public.
“You have strangulated the city and now you want to come inside the city and protest. This coaxing should stop. You have blocked highways and roads,” the judge said. The court also remarked on the fact that the protesters were destroying property and security personnel were seen fighting all over the media.
Attorney Ajay Choudhary, representing the petitioner, argued that the farmers weren’t blocking the highway but police officers did. He further added that petitioners were not part of the protest for which the court asked to produce an affidavit.
An advance copy of the petition was also requested by the court to send to the Attorney General. The case will be heard again on Monday, October 4.
Many farmers’ unions and organizations and individuals have challenged the three agricultural laws in the Supreme Court.
Three Laws, Farmers (Empowerment & Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance & Farm Services Act 2020, Farmers Produce Trade & Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Act & Amendment to Essential Commodities Act have been challenged as illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional.
On January 12, 2021, the Supreme Court suspended the application of the three laws and also ordered the creation of a four-member committee to adjudicate all parties and related parties and submit a report. to the Court on this matter.
Farmers, especially in the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana are continuously protesting on the border of Delhi as the government remains steadfast in its decision not to repeal laws.
