New Delhi, November 19, : , Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the laws on farm would be repealed.This will mean that all petitions against these laws are now in order. After protests by scores of farmers from Punjab and Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, at Delhi’s borders, the Supreme Court halted the application of three farm laws on January 12.
A committee was also set up by the top court to review and report on three farm laws.
Three farm laws were stopped by the Supreme Court: i) Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce Act (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, ii) Essential Commodities Act (Amendment) Act 2020, ii) Farmers Empowerment and Protection Agreement on Price Assurance and Farmers Services Act 2020.
The top court stated in an order that it was of the opinion that “the constitution of a committee made up of agricultural experts to negotiate between farmers and government of India might create a friendly atmosphere.”
The farmers’ unions started their protest at Delhi’s borders on November 26, last year.This agitation has been going on for almost a year after several rounds of negotiation by the Centre failed in its efforts to persuade the protesters.
Red Fort, the national capital witnessed violence this year at Red Fort on Republic Day when protesting farmers staged a rally using tractors.
The top court justified the suspension of the application of farm laws by saying: “We consider it appropriate to pass the following interim or, with the expectation that both sides will accept this in the right spirit, and try to reach a fair and equitable solution to the problems.”
Two months were given to the committee for its report regarding these three laws.After consulting many farmers and other stakeholders, the committee had submitted its report by March 19.
In the beginning, four people were on the committee: Bhupinder S.Mann, national president of Bhartiya Kisan Union and All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Parmod K.Joshi (agricultural economist and director for South Asia at International Food Policy Research Institute), Ashok Gulati (agricultural economist and ex-chairman of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices), and Anil Ghawat, president of Shetkari Sanghatana.Mann later resigned.
A public notice was also published by major newspapers to solicit the views and suggestions from the public.
A woman living in Noida sought direction from the highest court to get rid of the roadblockade that was limiting her ability to travel to work.
Justice Sanjay Kishankaul, who was leading the hearing, noted that farmers are entitled to demonstrate, but that roads cannot be closed indefinitely.
The matter was also notified by the bench to several farmers leaders.
Kisan Mahapanchayat was another organisation that had approached the highest court to have permission for a Satyagrah at Jantar Mantar, the capital of the nation.The top court denied the request.
A bench led by Justice A.M.Khanwilkar told the organization’s counsel that the protestors had blocked highways and strangled the city.They now wanted to go inside for demonstrations.
The bench observed, “You can’t come to court while continuing with your protest.”
The bench settled on an even larger question, whether protest rights can be absolute, even though statutes are already stayed by Supreme Court and this matter was still pending.
ss/arm
#repeal #laws #battle #Delhi
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