NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed its extreme disappointment with the way Centre has handled farmers agitation over the new farm laws. The court also expressed concern over the state of agitating farmers who have been camping on the outskirts of the capital for more than a month.
While proposing to form a committee of experts on farm laws, the court said it will pass orders on the issue concerning farmers protests and implementation of new farm laws in parts.
The Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde also made a personal request to the senior citizens among the agitating farmers to return home.
SC proposes committee on farm lawsAssuring farmers that their concerns will not go unheard, the SC said that it will fulfil its duty. "Whether you have faith or not, we are the Supreme Court of India, we will do our job."
On the primary demand of the agitating farmers to repeal the farm laws, the court reiterated the need for a committee on farm laws and said that it will stop their implementation if the panel advises.
The committee will include experts from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The court suggested the names of former CJIs including RM Lodha to head panel for exploring the possibility of a solution over farm laws protests.
Centre has not been able to solve the problem: SCThe Supreme Court on Monday ran out of patience for Centre and said that the court granted enough time to the government to reach a negotiation but it has remained adamant on the farm laws.
"We have given you enough long rope Mr Attorney General, please don't lecture us on patience," said the court after AG KK Venugopal sought more time to resolve the standoff.
"We are sorry to say that Centre has not been able to solve the problem and the farmers' agitation," said the court.
"We don't know whether you are part of the solution or part of the problem," it further added.
Criticising the Union government over its handling of farmers protests, the SC asked the Centre, "What is going on? States are rebelling against your laws."
"There is not a single petition before us which says that these farm laws are beneficial to farmers. Our intention was to see a negotiated solution" but there has been no response from Centre on willingness to put farm laws on hold, said the court.
The SC said, "We are not experts on the economy; you tell us whether government is going to put on hold farm laws or we will do this."
SC requests older farmers to return home
The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern over farmers dying in the protests and enquired their state of well-being amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
"Let me take a risk and say Chief Justice of India wants them (protesting farmers) to go back to their homes," said CJI SA Bobde.
In the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, the court also asked the Centre if it is providing for the agitating farmers.
"We don't know whether people are observing social distancing but we are concerned about them (farmers) getting food and water."
"The matter is getting worse, suicides are taking place. Are you taking care of their food, health and other issues," the CJI-led benched asked.
SC further raised questions over the presence of senior citizens among the farmers. "Why are the protesting farmers keeping old persons at protest site?"
The SC said the peaceful protests can go awry because of any stray incident and everyone has a responsibility to ensure that things don't go wrong.
"We don’t want anyone's blood on our hands,” the CJI-led bench said.
When the Centre opposed SC’s intention to stay implementation of farm laws, the CJI said, “you (centre) have not been able to solve the problem. Centre must take responsibility. As its laws led to strike, it must solve it. Now farmers will tell the Committee their views.”
(With inputs from agencies)