14:04 (IST)
SC appoints four-member panel
Members of the committee appointed by the Bench led by CJI SA Bobde to look into the ground situation behind the farmers’ protest and solve the impasse between farmers and the Centre include:
Harsmirat Mann
Ashok Gulati
Dr Pramod Kumar Joshi (former Director National Academy of Agricultural Research Management)
Anil Dhanawat
13:52 (IST)
SC stays implementation of farm laws till further orders
The Supreme Court said it will suspend the implementation of the three farm reform laws until further orders. It also said that a committee, which shall comprise of experts of agriculture and agri economics. The committee will play a significant role in resolving the impasse between the farmers and Centre
13:49 (IST)
Bench seeks Centre’s response on allegation of banned organisation infiltrating protests
During the hearing, the CJI said there is an application which claims a banned organisation is helping in the farmers’ protest. “Can the Attorney-General accept or deny it?” CJI Bobde asked. In reply, Attorney General KK Venugopal said, “We have said that Khalistanis have infiltrated into the protests.”
The CJI directed the A-G to file an affidavit by Wednesday.
13:27 (IST)
Will allow farmers to apply for permission for Ramlila Maidan: SC
In response to senior advocate Vikas Singh’s submission that farmers need a prominent place for visibility of protests, CJI SA Bobde said that the Bench will include in the order that farmers may apply for permission to the Delhi Police Commissioner for protests at Ramlila Maidan or other locations.
13:24 (IST)
Implementation of laws shouldn’t be seen as political victory: Harish Salve
Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing one of the petitioners, said the implementation of farm laws should not be seen as a political victory but as a serious examination of concerns expressed over the legislations.
Salve said two things are causing concern – whether MSPs will be dismantled and whether lands will be sold. The AG and SG can assure that these concerns are unfounded and that MSPs will not be dismantled and no lands will be sold off.
13:18 (IST)
Farmers’ counsel remain absent from hearing
The four counsel – Dushyant Dave, Prashant Bhushan, Colin Gonsalves and HS Phoolka – did not appear for the hearing today, prompting the SC Bench to observe that it is not fair for the farmers to appear before them only when it suits them.
CJI said “yesterday Dave sought posting of the matter to today so that he can come back with instruction from farmers. Today, he and other counsel have not even logged in to the virtual hearing.”
13:08 (IST)
SC-appointed committee will be part of judicial process: CJI SA Bobde
The apex court will appoint a committee and it will be a part of the judicial proceedings, CJI SA Bobde said.
The Bench observed that no power can stop it from setting up a committee to evaluate the pros and cons of the farm laws. Bobde went on to say that after the committee gives finding which provisions to be deleted, it will deal with the farm laws.
“We can’t suspend the laws indefinitely. The suspension will have to run parallel to a process for resolution,” he further noted.
13:02 (IST)
Cannot ask Prime Minister to meet farmers: CJI-led Bench
CJI SA Bobde dismissed the argument that farmers don’t want to interact with the court-appointed committee. “We are looking to solve the problem. If you want to agitate indefinitely, you can,” he said.
In response to Advocate ML Sharma’s statement that farmers were approached by many persons for discussion but not the prime minister, the CJI said the prime minister cannot be asked to meet the farmers as he is not party to the case and issue at hand.
12:56 (IST)
Legislations cannot be suspended for ’empty purpose’, says CJI SA Bobde
CJI SA Bobde said the Court has the power to suspend the agricultural laws, but “the suspension of legislation must not be for an empty purpose”. He said that the court-appointed committee will submit a report to the Bench and every person interested in solving the issue should cooperate with the committee.
Bobde further said the committee will not punish anyone or pass any orders, but take a clearer picture of the ground situation and take opinions of organisations.
Advocate ML Sharma said he had submitted names like ex-CJI Khehar, Justice Singhvi and Justice Aggarwal for the committee.
12:46 (IST)
Can pass interim order to ensure farmers’ lands are not snatched: CJI-led Bench
One of the petitioners advocate ML Sharma said that farmers don’t want to appear before a committee and are scared their land will be snatched.
In response, CJI SA Bobde said that the court will pass an interim order saying no farmers’ land can be sold for contract farming if they default on any payments. “We are concerned about the validity of the laws and also about protecting the life and property of citizens affected by protests,” he said.
12:46 (IST)
Can pass interim order to ensure farmers’ lands are not snatched: CJI-led Bench
One of the petitioners advocate ML Sharma said that farmers don’t want to appear before a committee and are scared their land will be snatched.
In response, CJI SA Bobde said that the court will pass an interim order saying no farmers’ land can be sold for contract farming if they default on any payments. “We are concerned about the validity of the laws and also about protecting the life and property of citizens affected by protests,” he said.
12:37 (IST)
Will decide future course after SC order: BKU spokesperson
Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said ahead of the Supreme Court’s order on pleas pertaining to farm laws and farmers’ protests that a core committee meeting will be held after the verdict to decide the future course of action.
12:34 (IST)
Farmers want withdrawal of farm laws: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi that the government’s efforts to confuse farmers is futile.”The farmers know the motive and their demands are clear — withdraw anti-agri laws,” he further stated.
सरकार की सत्याग्रही किसानों को इधर-उधर की बातों में उलझाने की हर कोशिश बेकार है।
अन्नदाता सरकार के इरादों को समझता है; उनकी माँग साफ़ है-
कृषि-विरोधी क़ानून वापस लो, बस!
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 12, 2021
12:10 (IST)
Congress leader urges Centre to address farmers’ issues without delay
Congress leader Aslam Shaikh took to Twitter to point out that many lives have been lost during the ongoing farmers’ protest due to a cold wave and rains in the northern part of India. “The protest is for their livelihood. Will the government address the issue without any further delay?” he asked.
Shaikh further went on to say that agriculture is the main source of livelihood for 58 percent of Indians and reminded the Centre that farmers were toiling in fields to provide food to the country without considering the risk of COVID-19.
We lost many precious lives in the #FarmersProtests due to extreme cold wave conditions, rains and other reasons. The protest is for their livelihood. Will the government address the issue w/o any further delay? #FarmerLivesMatter #FarmersAppealLawsRepeal pic.twitter.com/BvA8fXeH6V
— Aslam Shaikh, INC (@AslamShaikh_MLA) January 12, 2021
For58% of Indians,agriculture is the main source of livelihood.During lockdown these farmers wr toiling in the fields to provided food,milk,&vegetables to d whole country w/o fearing the risk of #Covid19. Are these #FarmLaws a reward for selfless services?#FarmersAppealLawsRepeal pic.twitter.com/zn6XEWGTxi
— Aslam Shaikh, INC (@AslamShaikh_MLA) January 12, 2021
11:55 (IST)
Stay on laws temporary solution, says Punjab Congress Sevadal
Calling the stay on implementation a temporary solution to the farmers’ woes, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Sevadal said on Twitter that the Centre needs to repeal the contentious legislations to stop the ongoing protest.
The farmers say that ‘Stay on implementation’ is just a temporary solution. And that the govt. has to repeal the farm laws to stop the ongoing fierce protest. #FarmersAppealLawsRepeal pic.twitter.com/quDOmIqp6v
— Punjab Pradesh Congress Sevadal (@SevadalPB) January 12, 2021
11:26 (IST)
Farmers protesting at Delhi borders since November
Farmers have been protesting at different borders of Delhi since 26 November last year against the farm laws – Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
11:13 (IST)
SC verdict on issues relating to farm laws, protests shortly
The Supreme Court will shortly pronounce its verdict on pleas pertaining to issues relating to the three contentious farm laws and farmers’ protests. A Bench, led by CJI SA Bobde and also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, presided over the hearings.
10:51 (IST)
Sonia Gandhi speaks to Opposition leaders to formulate ‘joint strategy’ over farm laws
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has spoken to leaders of Opposition parties to plan out a joint strategy in the budget session of Parliament regarding the Centre’s new farm laws, sources said on Monday.
A meeting will also be held over the new laws before the start of Parliament session later this month, they said.
The party has said it will stage protests outside governor houses across the country on 15 January to extend support to the ongoing farmers’ agitation. The party is observing the day as ‘Kisan Adhikar Diwas’.
10:38 (IST)
ML Khattar, Dushyant Chautala to meet Amit Shah today
Top leaders of the BJP-JJP alliance in Haryana, including Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, are set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the political scenario in the state.
Protesting farmers had ransacked the venue of Khattar’s “kisan mahapanchayat” at a Karnal village on Sunday.
The meeting is scheduled to take place in New Delhi Tuesday. But before that, Dushyant will hold a meeting with JJP MLAs at his farmhouse in Delhi. All JJP legislators have been asked to come to the capital on Tuesday.
The exercise is seen as an attempt to keep the flock of MLAs in the alliance together amid increasing pressure over them with the farmers’ agitation dominating the political landscape in Haryana for the past one-and-a-half month.
10:06 (IST)
Freezing winter cut short Tamil Nadu farm protest, says leader
The ‘freezing’ temperature in Delhi has cut short the protest by Tamil Nadu farmers. The group, which joined the ongoing protests against the new farm laws at the Singhu border last month, returned in just two weeks as it could not cope with the cold weather, The Print reported.
Led by lawyer-farmer activist P Ayakannu, a first delegation of the National South Indian Rivers Inter-Linking Farmers Association joined the protest on 7 December and returned on 9 December. A second delegation, without Ayakannu, joined on 18 December and went back on 30 December.
09:29 (IST)
British MPs urge Boris Johnson to discuss farmers’ protest with Modi
Around 100 Britain MPs, across party lines, have urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to take up the issue of the ongoing farmers’ protest in India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a letter, the MPs have asked Johnson to press for a “speedy resolution of the current deadlock and the democratic human right of citizens to peacefully protest”.
09:25 (IST)
Tractor rally on Republic Day will cause embarrassment to India, Centre tells SC
The Centre sought an injunction against the proposed tractor rally on Republic Day from the Supreme Court. In an application filed through the Delhi Police, the Centre said that it has come to the knowledge of the security agencies that a small group of protesting individuals or organisations have planned to carry out a tractor march on Republic Day.
“It is submitted that the proposed march is slated to disturb and disrupt the august celebrations of nation on Republic Day and would be bound to create a massive law and order situation,” the application said. “It is submitted that the said proposed march/protest seeks to disrupt and disturb such celebrations which is bound to create a serious law and order situation and will cause an embarrassment to the nation,” it said.
It said that right to protest is always subject to the “countervailing public order and the public interest” and the right to protest can never include “maligning the nation globally”. “Any disruption or obstruction in the said functions would not only be against the law and order, public order, public interest but would also be a huge embarrassment for the nation,” it said while referring to the Republic Day ceremony.
09:22 (IST)
No relief for commuters as Delhi borders remain affected
Multiple borders of Delhi with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh continued to remain closed for traffic movement.
For those coming to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh, Chilla and Ghazipur is closed. The traffic police advised them to take routes passing through Anand Vihar, DND, Loni DND and Apsara borders which have remained mostly unaffected.
The entry and exit points between Delhi and Haryana, passing through Singhu, Tikri, Auchandi, Piau Manyari, Saboli and Mangesh, have continued to remain closed. The traffic police have advised commuters to take alternate route via Lampur Safiabad, Palla and Singhu toll tax borders.Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. It has been suggested to avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road and NH-44.
The other border routes, such as the Delhi-Gurgaon and Delhi-Faridabad stretches, can be used for travelling between the two states.
08:53 (IST)
Gurnam Singh Chaduni: The face of Haryana farmers’ stir
Hours after he was forced to cancel his appearance at a ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ in Haryana’s Karnal district, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar accused Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Gurnam Singh Chaduni of “instigating the violence”.
Under Chaduni, farmers had started protesting against the three farm laws as early as July, with as many as 15,000 farmers protesting under his leadership on 20 July atop tractors.
Chaduni has also led a sit-in protest inside the waters of the flooded Begna river in Ambala district for five days in August 2019 for the release of dues of sugarcane farmers and had climbed an 80-feet-tall water tank in July 2019 to demand purchase of the entire sunflower crop.
08:41 (IST)
Villagers protesting against farmers’ stir return home
A day after blocking traffic on one carriageway of Jaipur-Delhi National Highway alleging that protesting farmers were creating unemployment and littering garbage in adjoining fields, local villagers returned home yesterday after Haryana police opened a slip lane on the highway.
On 10 January, locals near agitation site in Shajahanpur of Rajasthan’s Alwar had pitched tents on one carriageway of the highway against the farmers’ agitation. Sumer Singh, a protesting villager said their work and employment have been adversely affected due to the farmers’ blockade and demanded its immediate removal.
08:38 (IST)
Mobile museum depicting Sikh history set up at Singhu border
A mobile museum depicting Sikh history has been brought to farmers’ protest site at Singhu Border from Mohali.
Museum founder Parvinder Singh, a resident of Mohali, told ANI, “There should be a museum that can educate our youth generation about history of Sikhism”.
Delhi: A mobile museum depicting Sikh history has been brought to farmers’ protest site at Singhu Border from Mohali.
Museum founder Parvinder Singh, a resident of Mohali, says, “There should be a museum that can educate our youth generation about history of Sikhism”. (11.01) pic.twitter.com/pRX8Kqjvgd
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2021
08:33 (IST)
Don’t want to appear before SC-appointed committee: Farmers’ leaders
A joint front of 40 agitating farmer unions welcomed the suggestion of the Supreme Court for a stay on the agricultural laws’ implementation but said they are not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee that may be appointed by it.
Pulling up the Centre for its handling of the farmers’ protest, the apex court on Monday said it is extremely disappointed with the way negotiations between them were going and will constitute a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to resolve the impasse.
08:29 (IST)
Farmers threaten to ‘gherao’ UP Raj Bhavan on 23 January
A section of farmers protesting against the three central farm laws has threatened to ‘gherao’ Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhavan on 23 January.
Bhartiya Kisan Union spokesperson Dharmendra Malik isaid the agitating farmers would also burn copies of farm legislation on that day. Malik said the BKU executive committee, in a meeting at Ghazipur-UP gate border, also decided to observe 18 January as Mahila Kisan Divas (Women Farmers’ Day) during which the womenfolk of villages would lead the ongoing protest against the government.
08:24 (IST)
Delegation of 500 Kerala farmers enroute to Delhi
A delegation of 500 farmers from Kerala left for Delhi on Monday by bus to join their counterparts at the borders of Delhi, who have been protesting against the contentious farm laws since 26 November last year.
The farmers, belonging to ‘Kerala Karshaka Sangham’, the state chapter of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), one of the organisations at the forefront of the protest. AIKS vice president S Ramachandra Pillai flagged off the bus, which is expected to reach Delhi on 14 January.
08:19 (IST)
Farmers have been paid to protest: BJP MP S Muniswamy
BJP MP from Karnataka’s Kolar S Muniswamy alleged that farmers who are protesting at Delhi borders have been paid and brought to agitation sites. “They are middlemen and fake farmers. They are eating pizza, burger and KFC products, and have set up gym there. This drama should stop,” he told ANI.
07:58 (IST)
BKU says repealing farm laws is the only way out
The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) said repealing the laws was the only way out, shortly after the Supreme Court pulled up the Centre over the three new farm laws.
Joginder Singh Ugrahan and Jhanda Singh Jethuke, president and senior vice-president of the BKU, said their struggle would continue till the laws were repealed.
“The reprimand of the central government by the Supreme Court over not resolving this issue is certainly welcome and it is an achievement of the struggle. Further reprimand by it over not entering into consultations with the farmers during the presentation and passing of these laws is a confirmation of the dictatorial attitude of the central government, corroborates its indifferent attitude and establishes further that the peasant struggle is legitimate,” they told The Tribune.
07:54 (IST)
SC to pronounce order on pleas relating to farm laws today
The Supreme Court will pronounce orders on Tuesday on various issues related to the new farm laws and the farmers’ ongoing protest at Delhi borders and may take a call on setting up of a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India (CJI) to find ways to resolve the impasse.
The Bench had on Monday indicated amply that it may go to the extent of staying the implementation of the contentious farm laws and 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”.
07:46 (IST)
‘Extremely disappointed’ at negotiations between Centre, farmers: SC
The Supreme Court on Monday said it is “extremely disappointed” with the way negotiations are being held between the Centre and the farmers over the three farm laws, which have triggered protests by thousands of agriculturists at Delhi’s borders.
“What is going on? States are rebelling against your laws,” the bench told the Centre. “We are extremely disappointed at the way the government is handling the talks. What consultative process was followed by you before passing the laws? All are up in rebellion against the laws,” it added.
Farmers’ Protest LATEST Updates: CJI SA Bobde said the proposed committee will evaluate the pros and cons of the farm laws and its findings will be a part of the judicial process.
CJI SA Bobde said the Court has the power to suspend the agricultural laws, but “the suspension of legislation must not be for an empty purpose”. He said that the court-appointed committee will submit a report to the Bench and every person interested in solving the issue should cooperate with the committee.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has spoken to leaders of Opposition parties to plan out a joint strategy in the budget session of Parliament regarding the Centre’s new farm laws.
The Haryana deputy chief minister will hold a meeting with JJP MLAs at his farmhouse in Delhi. All JJP legislators have been asked to come to the National Capital on Tuesday.
A joint front of 40 agitating farmer unions welcomed the suggestion of the Supreme Court for a stay on the agricultural laws but said they are not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee that may be appointed by it.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday, rapping the Centre over its handling of the ongoing farmers protest at the borders of Delhi, said it is ‘extremely disappointed ‘ with the way negotiations are unfolding.
The apex court asked the government if it would suspend the implementation of the laws or whether the court should step in for the same. The court further stated that it will constitute a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to resolve the impasse.
Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, are camping at three border points of Delhi —Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur— for more than a month now, demanding the repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee to the minimum support price (MSP) system for their crops.
The eighth round of talks between the Centre and the farmer unions on 7 January appeared headed nowhere as the Centre ruled out repealing the contentious laws, while the farmers’ leaders said they are ready to fight till death and their ‘ghar waapsi‘ will happen only after ‘law waapsi‘.
The apex court had earlier issued notice and sought the Centre’s response on a batch of pleas against the three contentious farm laws —the Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.
As per reports, farmers groups said they will not participate in the proceedings of a committee that the Supreme Court might appoint.
“We met our lawyers this evening at length and after deliberation on pros and cons of the suggestions of the committee, we informed them that we are unanimously not agreeable to go before any committee,” the Samyukta Kisan Morcha said, as per CNBC-TV18.
Talking to news agency PTI, farmer leaders had earlier said they welcomed the top court’s observations, but added that a stay on the implementation of the laws was not a solution as it would only be for a fixed amount of time. The leaders said that their agitation will continue till the laws are scrapped.
Meanwhile, INLD legislator Abhay Singh Chautala, writing to the Haryana Assembly Speaker, said if the Centre does not withdraw the three contentious farm laws by 26 January, then he would resign as an MLA from the House.
Extremely disappointed with negotiation process, says SC
While hearing a batch of petitions challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, justices V Ramasubramanian and AS Bopanna, expressed disappointment at the way the government is handling the protest.
“We are extremely disappointed with the negotiation process. We don’t want to make any stray observations on your negotiations but we are extremely disappointed with the process,” PTI quotes the court as saying.
“We don’t know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion,” LiveLaw quoted the bench as saying.
When Attorney General KK Venugopal submitted that amendments had started during the previous regime, CJI Bobde said,” Mr Attorney, please understand it will not help you that some other government started it,” reported Bar and Bench.
The apex court said it is not talking about the repeal of these farm laws at the moment. “This is a very delicate situation,” the bench said, adding, “There is not a single petition before us which says that these farm laws are beneficial.”
“We are not experts on economy; you tell us whether government is going to put on hold farm laws or we will do this,” the bench said.
Venugopal argued that a law cannot be stayed unless the court finds it violates fundamental rights or constitutional schemes. “Our intention is to see whether we can find an amicable solution to all this. That is why we had asked you (Centre) whether you are willing to keep these laws on hold for sometime. But you wanted to buy time,” the bench observed.
The apex court, which said the matter is getting worse and people are committing suicides, reiterated the need for having a committee comprising representatives from the government and farmer organisations from over the country and said it will stop the implementation of these laws if the panel advises doing so. It said that the protesting farmer can tell their objections to the committee.
The court asked the parties to suggest two or three names of former CJIs including former CJI RM Lodha who can head the court-appointed panel.
The bench said it did not know whether the protesting farmers were observing social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic but was concerned about them getting food and water. The bench also expressed apprehension that there might be some incident which may breach the peace.
“Old people and women are on the ground. Why are old people in the farmers’ protests? We don’t want to comment on the merit of the agitation,” the bench said.
It said after the implementation of these laws are stayed, the protesters can carry on with the agitation as the court doesn’t want “anyone to say that we stifled the protest.” We are not going to protect any lawbreakers. We want to prevent the loss of property and lives, it said.
When the attorney-general told the court that next meeting between the government and farmers is scheduled for 15 January and the court should not pass any order today, the bench said, “We do not think the Centre is handling the issue correctly. We have to take some action today. We don’t think you are being effective. If laws are put on hold then negotiations will have a chance to work out. “
The court refused to grant extra time to the Centre to explore the possibility of amicable solution to the issue, saying it has already granted the government a long rope. “We have given you long rope, Mr Attorney-General, please don’t lecture us on patience,” the bench said.
“Whether you have faith or not, we are the Supreme Court of India, we will do our job,” the bench told the protesting farmer unions.
The court, which indicated during the hearing that it may pass orders in parts, later said that the order will be pronounced on Tuesday.
‘Will continue agitation even if implementation stayed’
Farmers leaders said they would continue their agitation even if the government or the Supreme Court stays the implementation, reported PTI. The farmer leaders, who said they were “sharing their personal opinion”, were also of the view that a stay is “not a solution” as it is only for a fixed period of time.
The farmers want the laws to be repealed completely. The protest will continue even if the government or the Supreme Court stays their implementation,” Haryana Bharatiya Kisan Union president Gurnam Singh Chaduni told the news agency.
Bhog Singh Mansa, president of Indian Farmers Union (Mansa), said “A stay is not a solution. We are here to get these laws scrapped completely… the government has in a way already agreed to scrap the laws when it said it is willing to incorporate as many amendments as farmers want.”
“We appeal to the Supreme Court to terminate these laws as these are not valid constitutionally,” Mansa said, adding the protest will continue till the “the laws are not repealed or the BJP government completes its tenure”.
Punjab Kisan Union president Ruldu Singh Mansa echoed similar sentiments, saying the agitation began with the demand for scrapping the farm laws and “it will end only when we win this fight”.
Darshan Pal, president of Krantikari Kisan Union, said the farmer leaders are consulting their lawyers and a formal response will be given after the court gave its verdict.
Centre files affidavit
Centre files affidavit in Supreme Court saying :
(a) farm laws are not hurriedly made but result of 2 decades of deliberations.
(b) farmers of nation are happy with laws as they give an additional options
(c)Centre has done best to engage with farmers. pic.twitter.com/XKKjEp7Syu
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) January 11, 2021
PM should apologise to farmers, says Congress
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “Today, the Supreme Court expressed its anguish and its disappointment over repeated failure of talks and on failure of the government in being able to find a solution.”
The Congress spokesperson demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the farmers of the country and repeal the three farm laws being opposed by them.
Surjewala held the prime minister, the home minister and chief ministers of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh directly responsible for the current agitation, saying they stopped the farmers from coming to Delhi and expressing their anger and opposition to the farm laws in a Gandhian manner. “The Supreme Court is the protector of laws and the Constitution and we all have faith in it. If someone opposes the laws in a Gandhian manner, then the court will also support such an opposition, as protesting peacefully is a basic right enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.
The Supreme Court should take note of the actions of the prime minister, Home minister Amit Shah, Manohar Lal Khattar, Dushyant Chautala and Adityanath whose governments dug up roads and blocked roads by putting up barriers, and register cases against them for causing losses to the state exchequer and damage to public property, he added.
‘Consider letter as resignation if laws not withdrawn’
Earlier in the day, INLD MLA from Haryana’s Ellenabad, Abhay Singh Chautala, slammed the Centre for imposing the “black laws” on farmers in an “undemocratic way” and said the farming community in the entire country is opposing these legislations.
More than 60 farmers have “attained martyrdom” because of the intense cold weather but the Centre has paid no heed to their demands, Chautala wrote in a letter to state Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta. Despite holding eight rounds of talks with the farmer leaders, the government has not shown any sign of agreement on the withdrawal of farm laws, he further said.
The INLD leader said it does not seem that being a responsible member of the House, he can play any role to protect the rights of farmers under the kind of conditions created by the government. “Considering all these situations, if the Government of India does not withdraw these three ‘black laws’ by 26 January, then this letter should be considered as my resignation,” he wrote to the Speaker.
Haryana Police books Chaduni, others
The Haryana Police booked BKU (Charuni) leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni, 70 other people by name and 800-900 unnamed people for rioting and damaging public property, a day after vandalism at the venue of a farmers’ event which was to be addressed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said a police official from Karnal but added that nobody has been arrested yet.
They have been booked for rioting, assault on public servant, damaging public property, criminal conspiracy and other charges, police said and added they are collecting evidence including video clips in connection with the incident and would take action against those who are found involved in it.
A purported video of the Bharatiya Kisan Union Charuni, making an appeal to “end the arrogance of the CM” by not allowing him to address a kisan mahapanchayat, was circulating on social media, as per PTI. On 6 January, the BKU (Charuni) had threatened to oppose the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’.
Agitating farmers had Sunday ransacked the venue of the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’, forcing the cancellation of Khattar’s programme during which he was to address the gathering highlighting the “benefits” of the three contentious Central agriculture laws. Khattar had accused Chaduni of instigating people for vandalising the programme venue.
The Haryana Police had used water cannons and teargas shells to prevent farmers from marching towards Kaimla village, where the programme was to be held. The farmers, however, had managed to reach the venue and damage a makeshift helipad where Khattar’s chopper was to land despite elaborate security arrangements made by police.
As per reports, BJP workers in Punjab’s Jalandhar holding a sit-in over the “deteriorating law and order in the state ” too faced counter protests from agitating farmers on Sunday. A large number of farmers, including workers of Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal) and BKU (Doaba), reached the venue and started removing the barricades but were stopped by nearly 1,400 policemen, reported the Indian Express.
As per a report in The Times of India, Punjab BJP president accused the Congress of vitiating the atmosphere in the name of the farmers. But Bahujan Samaj Front convenor Sukhwinder Singh Kotli said it is objectionable that he is calling the protesting farmers and Dalits as Congress agents.
BKU (Rajwal) general secretary Kulwinder Singh Machhiana, Kashmir Singh and Amarjot Singh Jandiala said that the farmers’ protest was peaceful and alleged that police had deliberately tried to spoil the atmosphere so that the BJP could organise its protest, as per the Indian Express report. They said that they will continue their protest against the BJP.
Youth Congress leaders who were going to oppose the BJP leaders too were stopped by the police, the reports said.
Farmers delegation leaves from Kerala
Meanwhile on Monday, a delegation of 500 farmers from Kerala left for Delhi on Monday by bus from Kerala to join their counterparts at the borders of Delhi. The farmers, belonging to”Kerala Karshaka Sangham”, the state chapter of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), one of the organisations at the forefront of the protest will participate in the protest at Shahjahanpur, one of the venues.
KN Balagopal, secretary of Kerala Karshaka Sangham, told PTI that this was the first batch of farmers and the next one would soon leave for the National Capital. “We are not going just for expressing solidarity alone. We are going to participate in the agitation because the farm laws affect the state in a very serious manner.It affects the food security, price of our food grains will be affected by these laws,” Balagopal said.
In Kerala, the farmers have been on an indefinite protest since 12 December. Kerala Samyuktha Karshaka Samithi, part of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, has been observing a relay protest at the Martyrs Column in Thiruvananthapuram in solidarity with farmers protest across the country.