In a milestone moment in the Farmer’s Protest, the Supreme Court has decided to suspend the implementation of the 3 farm laws. This decision comes in an attempt to end the deadlock the government and the protesting farmers are in for three months.
The Supreme Court in its hearing demanded the repeal of the controversial farm laws saying it was “disappointed” with the negotiation process. Moreover, it also suggested a committee for further negotiations.
During the hearing on Monday, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said, “There’s going to be a committee to resolve the issue. We want to know the ground situation. This is why we are forming the committee.” The CJI also thrashed the Central Government for constantly claiming that they were engaged in discussion with farmers and yet not engaging with them for real.
CJI Bobde in the hearing added, “If there is some sense of responsibility, you can show this now by saying that there will be no implementation of the laws. We don’t see why there should be insistence on implementation of the laws at all costs.”
Chief Justice Bobde also said that if the Centre is not willing to hold the implementation of laws, the Supreme Court would do so. This would allow for better negotiations with the farmers and would also ensure that the committee that will be set up by the court would efficiently address the farmers’ concerns regard to the farm laws.
Here are the five important statements CJI made in the farm laws that paint a clear picture of the Supreme Court’s stance regarding the situation.
“No power can prevent us from making committee to resolve the impasse on new farm laws. “
“These are matters of life and death. We are concerned with laws. We are concerned with lives and property of people affected by the agitation. We are trying to solve the problem in the best way. One of the powers we have is to suspend the legislation. “
“We want to solve the problem and that’s why we are making the committee. Give the names to us, we will decide. “
“We cannot ask the prime minister anything, he is not a party before us. This is not politics. There is a difference between politics and the judiciary and you will have to cooperate. “
Meanwhile, the committee formed by the Supreme Court comprises of the following people:
- Bhupinder Singh Mann, President of the Bhartiya Kisan Union
- Dr. Pramod Joshi, Policy Expert
- Ashok Gulati, Agricultural Economist
- Anil Dhavat, Shivkeri Sangathan
Bhartiya Kisan Sangh that has a membership of over 30 lakh farmers across India told the Supreme Court that it is in agreement with the court for setting up a committee to further evaluate the three farm laws and how they can be tweaked.
The farmers and the Centre have had eight rounds of talks about the three farm laws. So far, all eight rounds of talks ended up in a stalemate. Since November farmers have been protesting outside New Delhi with 50 farmers already losing their lives. The farmers also launched a tractor march last week to show their agitation.
The ninth round of talks with the farmer leaders is scheduled to be held on 15 January.
