With the farmers' protest in Delhi entering Day 12 and slowly spreading across the nation, the Kerala government on Monday said it will move the Supreme Court against the three contentious farm bills.
Kerala Agriculture Minister VS Sunil Kumar said, “Kerala will move the Supreme Court against the agri-marketing laws in two days. The government has already given directions to the Advocate General to check the options for filing a case against the laws.”
The Kerala government has also said that it will not be implementing the three farm laws in the state. "The anti-farmer laws will not be implemented in Kerala and an alternative law will be considered," the agriculture minister said.
"We are ready to face any consequences taken by the Centre against this," Sunil Kumar added.
The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government is reportedly also mulling holding a joint protest along with the Punjab and Rajasthan government against the farm laws.
FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON THE FARMERS' PROTEST HERE
Last week, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had urged the central government to "listen" to the farmers, who are on agitation at Delhi border points against the new agriculture laws and resolve the issue in an amicable manner.
It is time to stand with our farmers. We urge the Government of India to listen to the protesting farmers and resolve the issue in an amicable manner. The whole of our country needs to come together on this; because farmers are the lifeblood of this country.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) December 1, 2020
In a tweet, Vijayan described the farmers as the "lifeblood" of the country and said it is time to stand with them.
"It is time to stand with our farmers. We urge the Government of India to listen to the protesting farmers and resolve the issue in an amicable manner. The whole of our country needs to come together on this; because farmers are the lifeblood of this country", he said in the tweet.
Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana are protesting at various Delhi border points for the 12th consecutive day on Monday against the three recently introduced farm laws, which they fear will dismantle the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates.