A three-justice bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday announced it was forming a committee to look into grievances of farmers against three contentious farm laws. In its order, the Supreme Court said it was going to suspend implementation of the three farm laws until further orders.
The Supreme Court bench was led by Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde and comprised Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian. The Supreme Court passed the order after hearing pleas challenging the three contentious farm laws, against which farmers are protesting, as well as petitions against the ongoing agitation on the borders of Delhi.
Giving details of the proposed committee, Bobde said members would include agricultural economist Ashok Gulati, Harsimrat Mann and Pramod Joshi.
Chief Justice Bobde was quoted by Live Law as saying, “Every person who is genuinely interested in solving the problem is expected to go before the committee. The committee will not punish you or pass any orders. It will submit a report to us.” Bobde emphasised “We are going to take the opinion of the [farmers] organisations. We are forming the committee so that we have a clearer picture.”
Advocate M.L. Sharma, who filed a plea challenging validity of the three laws, told the Supreme Court that he had submitted names of "ex-CJI Khehar, Justice Singhvi, Justice Aggarwal" as possible members of the committee.
Interestingly, the farmers' unions had on Monday rejected the suggestion by the Supreme Court to form a committee. “While all organisations welcome the suggestions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court to stay the implementation of the farm laws, they are collectively and individually not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee that may be appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” The Hindu quoted the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella group of farmers, as saying.
“We believe in the committee and we are going to constitute it. This committee will be the part of judicial proceedings", Bobde was quoted by Live Law as telling Attorney General K.K. Venugopal.
Background
The Supreme Court had on Monday made stinging observations against the Central government for its handling of the situation, including the fruitless rounds of negotiations between ministers and farmers' representatives. The Supreme Court had indicated it could stay implementation of the farm laws and reiterated its plan to form a committee comprising representatives from the government and farmers' groups to discuss the issue.
On Monday, the Supreme Court had told the Centre it was "extremely disappointed with the negotiation process" and pointed out "States are rebelling against your laws". Bobde also appealed to the protesting farmers to disperse and go home.
The court also expressed apprehensions that the protests might lead to violence and loss of lives and property if it continues for long. “We don't want anybody’s blood on our hands," it noted.
