Supreme Court ‘disappointed’ with governments handling of farmer protest

Jan. 11: The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Centre over the contentious farm laws and said that either the Centre should put a stay on the laws or the court will. The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of petitions, including those filed by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, RJD MP Manoj K Jha, challenging the constitutional validity of the three farm laws, passed by the Centre along with the plea to remove protesting farmers.

On arguments of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, that several farmers’ associations and a “vast majority” have extended their support to the farm laws, the Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, said no-one pleaded before the bench saying the farm laws were beneficial. “Let that vast majority come to the committee and say we want it,” CJI Bobde said.

After eight round of talks between the Centre and the farmer, unions have failed to yield any result as the agitating farmers are adamant on the repeal of new farm laws. Thousands of farmers have camped at the Delhi borders since late November in 2020, protesting against the three new laws that were enacted in September 2020.

 Indicating amply that it may go to the extent of staying the implementation of the contentious farm laws, the apex court refused to grant extra time to the Centre to explore the possibility of amicable solution saying it has already granted the government a long rope . “Hold the laws in abeyance, why is it a prestige issue?” asked the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court hearing will resume on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Centre and the farmer leaders are scheduled to hold their next meeting on 15 January.