Supreme Court has asked the central government to hold the farm laws or it will issue an order, saying it was “disappointed” how the negotiation with the farmers, who have been protesting against the farm laws, was handled.
AGENCIES / NEW DELHI
The Supreme Court today directed the central government to hold the farm laws or the court will, while noting that the situation has become worse. During the hearing of a number of pleas challenging the new farm laws, the Supreme Court said it was “disappointed” with the way the negotiation process with the protesting farmers over the farm laws was handled by the central government.
Demanding to know the conditions the farmers have been protesting in against the farm laws for over a month and amid a pandemic, CJI Bobde said, “We don’t know what negotiations are going on? We want to set up the expert committee. We want the government to hold the laws in abeyance…if the Centre does not want to stay the implementation of farm laws, we will put a stay on it.”
“Hold the laws in abeyance, why is it a prestige issue?” asked the Supreme Court.
The court said, “It’s [the farmers’ protest] getting worse and worse. People are committing suicide, sitting in this cold…Who is taking care of food and water? Is there any social distancing? We don’t know why these farmers are keeping old people and women on the ground? Why should old people be out in the cold? Each one of us will be responsible if something goes wrong. We don’t want anybody’s blood on our hands.”
Attorney General KK Venugopal tells the top court that farmers’ organisations had rejected various offers made by the government.
The CJI said, “We are extremely disappointed the way government is handling the issue. Last four times you said negotiations are on. What negotiations are you talking about?”
“If you have some sense of responsibility, and if you say you will withhold the implementation of laws, we will form committee to decide. We don’t see why there should be an insistence that the laws must be implemented at any cost.”
“Our intention is clear. We want an amicable solution to the problem. That is why we asked you last time, why don’t you keep the laws on hold? But you keep asking for time. We are not on the merits of the law. We are not on repeal. This is a very delicate situation.”
The CJI said it will not help the government to say that the previous government started it. “We don’t know if you are part of the problem or solution,” said the CJI.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, “We are part of the solution… We have many farmers’ organisations coming to us and telling that the farm laws are progressive. Rest of the farmers have no difficulty”.
The CJI pointed out that “we don’t have any single petition before us saying that the laws are good.” He said if the laws are beneficial, let the vast majority of country tell the committee (to be set up by SC).
The CJI threatened to stay the laws if the government did not do so on its own. “People are committing suicide. People are calling names. People are suffering in cold and pandemic situation,” said the CJI-led Bench
“People are suffering in cold and pandemic situation. Who is taking care of water and food? Elderly people and women are on the ground. Why are the elderly at the farmers’ protest. We don’t want to comment on the agitation.”
The CJI proposed to form a committee and if government did not do so they will stay the implementation of the farm Acts.
“Whether you have faith or not, we are the Supreme Court of India. We will do our job,” asserted the CJI, after a lawyer said, “We have full faith in you.”
The CJI said: “We will stay implementation of the laws.”
“We want to make it clear we are not stifling the protest. You can carry on with the protest. But the question is whether the protest should be held at the same site.”
The CJI said: “We are doing this because you have failed to solve the problem. Union of India has to take the responsibility. The laws have resulted in a strike and now you have to solve the strike.”
Attorney General KK Venugopal opposed the stay. He cited judgments to contend that there was no violation of fundamental rights or lack of legislative competence. Venugopal asserted that farmers of other states had not joined the protests.
“Let them come and say to the committee, but don’t stay the laws,” said Venugopal.
Senior advocate Harish Salve said the government had agreed on minimum support price.
“All areas on which they are not agreeing with the Centre can be resolved by judicial orders. The objectionable parts of law can be stayed.”
Venugopal cited bursting of crackers and ensuing Republic day celebrations to caution about potential violence from farmers.
The CJI said it was for the police to deal with the situation not the court. Courts cannot restrain peaceful protest. They cited Mahatma Gandhi’s satyagraga.
The CJI said: “We want to ensure no violence or blood bath in the streets. If somebody breaks the law you take action. The court would not break any violence.”
The CJI said: “We should not be understood that we are protecting any law breaker. If someone breaks the law, they will face the consequences sequences. We are not encouraging breaking of law. We propose to pass this order to prevent loss of life and property.”
As Venugopal vehemently opposed any stay, CJI Bobde said, “We are still thinking. It’s equally effective if we stay the implementation of the law without staying the law.”