News Analysis India

Tag: Farmers Protest

  • Farmers protest: We don’t want anybody’s blood on our hands, says Supreme Court

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: “We don’t want anybody’s blood on our hands,” said the Supreme Court on Monday while expressing apprehension that the ongoing farmers’ protest against the new farm laws might lead to violence and loss of lives and property if it continues for long.

    The apex court, which observed that the Centre has made these laws “without enough consultation”, said the most serious concern is about any sort of violence and possible loss of lives.

    “Responsibility is on all of us. Any stray incident can spark violence,” said a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde.

    “Each one of us will be responsible if something goes wrong. We don’t want anybody’s blood on our hands,” said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.

    The bench said it is not going to protect any ‘law breakers’ and want to prevent any loss of lives and property.

    The top court, which was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders, expressed its displeasure that the Centre has not been able to solve the problem.

    “We are extremely disappointed with the negotiation process,” the bench said, adding, “You have made a law without enough consultation resulting in a strike. So you have to resolve the strike.”

    During the hearing conducted through video-conferencing, the top court questioned the Centre over the consultative process adopted for these laws.

    “We don’t know what consultative process you have followed before these laws. Many states are up in rebellion,” the bench said.

    Observing that there is not a single petition before the apex court which says that these farm laws are beneficial, the bench told the Centre, “It will not help you to say that this was started by last government. We are discussing constitutionality.”

    The apex court, while pulling up the Centre for its handling of farmers protest against the farm laws, said it will constitute a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to resolve the impasse.

    It said that former CJI R M Lodha could be asked about whether he is willing to head the committee.

    The bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that he can also suggest two-three names of former CJIs who can head the court-appointed committee.

    “We have talked to former CJI P Sathasivam but he refused saying he has problem in understanding Hindi,” the bench said.

    Mehta told the bench that representatives of some farmer unions, who were coming for discussion with the government, used to turn their chairs back or cover their eyes and ears when the ministers sat for meeting.

    The bench said, “we can’t say anything on this.”

    The top court would pronounce its order on Tuesday on various issues related to the new farm laws and the farmers’ ongoing protest at Delhi borders.

    Indicating amply that it may go to the extent of staying the implementation of the contentious farm laws, the apex court refused to grant extra time to the Centre to explore the possibility of amicable solution saying it has already granted the government a ‘long rope’.

    The eighth round of talks between the Centre and the farmer unions on January 7 headed nowhere as the Centre ruled out repealing the contentious laws, while the farmers’ leaders said they are ready to fight till death and their ‘ghar waapsi’ will happen only after ‘law waapsi’.

    The apex court had earlier issued notice and sought the Centre’s response on a batch of pleas against the three contentious farm laws — the Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

  • PM Narendra Modi should apologise to farmers after Supreme Court rap; repeal farm laws: Congress

    Surjewala said never in the 73-year history of this country had a government been exposed in this fashion for its arrogance, its intemperate behavior, and insensitivity towards 62 crore farmers.

  • Supreme Court to pronounce orders on Tuesday on farm laws, farmers’ protests

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will pronounce orders on Tuesday on various issues related to the new farm laws and the farmers’ ongoing protest at Delhi borders and may take a call on setting up of a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India (CJI) to find ways to resolve the impasse.

    A bench, headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde, which indicated during the hearing that it may pass orders in parts on the issues concerning farm laws and farmers’ protest, later uploaded the information on the website.

    “List these matters tomorrow i.e. 12.01. 2021, for orders,” said the bench which also comprised justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.

    The bench on Monday heard a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues of citizens’ right to move freely during the ongoing farmers’ stir.

    It pulled up the Centre for its handling of the farmers protest against the new farm laws saying it is “extremely disappointed” with the way negotiations between them were going.

    It also indicated amply that it may go to the extent of staying the implementation of the contentious farm laws and refused to grant extra time to the Centre to explore the possibility of amicable solution saying it has already granted the government a “long rope”.

  • Supreme Court to pass order on pleas challenging farm laws on January 12

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will pass orders on Tuesday on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of farm laws.

    A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde, is hearing a batch of petitions, including those filed by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, RJD MP Manoj K Jha, regarding the constitutional validity of three farm laws, passed by the Central government along with the plea to disperse protesting farmers.

    The bench had said that the government should have passed these laws after discussing with all stakeholders.

    “We do not think the Centre is handling this issue correctly. We have to take some action today. This is a very serious matter. We are proposing and facilitating to try to form a committee and we are also thinking that we will hold the implementation of the laws till further orders,” the CJI suggested to one of the petitioners.

    ALSO READ | Feeding a revolution: How fire in kitchens sustaining farmers’ fight in streets

    Expressing his displeasure over the way the case is being handled, CJI Bobde said: “You have made a law without enough consultation resulting in a strike.”

    “We are suggesting staying the implementation of farm laws only to facilitate the talks before the Committee,” the CJI said.

    “We don’t want to say anything, the protests can go on, but who is going to take the responsibility?” he asked.

    The CJI asserted, “If the Centre does not want to stay the implementation of farm laws, we will put a stay on it… The Union of India must take responsibility for all this. You (Centre) are bringing the laws and you can do it in a better manner.”

    “We will stay the implementation of laws. You can carry on the protest. But the question is whether the protest should be held at the same site. Some people have committed suicide, old people and women are a part of the agitation. What is happening?” said the CJI.

    He added that not a single plea has been filed that said the farm laws are good.

    “We don’t know what negotiations are going on? Can the farm laws be put on hold for some time?” the CJI asked.

    “Each one of us will be responsible if something goes wrong. We don’t want anybody’s blood on our hands,” he said.

    Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for one of the farmers’ unions said: “How can such important laws be passed through a voice vote in Parliament? If the government is serious, then the government can hold a joint session of Parliament and why the government is shying away from it.”

    The farmers should be allowed to go to the Ramlila Maidan. “We are not interested in any violence,” he added.

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    “If the government is serious, then the government can hold a joint session of Parliament and why the government is shying away from it,” Dave said and questioned the way the government had passed the law.

    Attorney General KK Venugopal said there are Supreme Court precedents saying that the Courts cannot stay legislation. “The Court cannot stay legislation unless it finds that the law is passed without legislative competence and the law violates fundamental rights,” he asserted.

    “What happened with Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar (rally) cannot happen? On January 26, farmers with their tractors are planning to march down to Rajpath to destroy a day of national importance,” Venugopal said.

    Senior lawyer, Harish Salve (representing one of the petitioners) stated that there are few elements, which should be weeded out from the protest. Salve mentioned about a Vancouver-based organisation collecting money under the banner ‘Justice for Sikhs’.

    Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital since November 26, 2020, against the three newly enacted farm laws – Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. 

  • Farmers’ agitation: Railways cancel, divert, short-terminate trains in Punjab

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: In view of on-going farmers’ agitation in Punjab, the railway has cancelled, short-terminated and diverted several trains on Sunday.

    “Due to farmers’ agitation in Punjab, four trains have been diverted and one train short terminated/short originated,” said Western Railway.

    Following are the trains that have been short – terminated:

    1). Train No. 09025 Bandra Terminus – Amritsar Special Express journey commencing on January 11 will short-terminate at Chandigarh and will remain partially cancelled between Chandigarh and Amritsar. Consequently, Train No. 09026 Amritsar – Bandra Terminus Special Express journey commencing on January 13 will short-originate from Chandigarh and will remain partially cancelled between Amritsar and Chandigarh.

    And these are the following trains that have been diverted:

    1). Train No. 02903 Mumbai Central – Amritsar Special journey commenced on January 10, 2021 will be diverted via Beas – Tarn Taran – Amritsar instead of Beas – Jandiala – Amritsar.

    2). Train No. 02904 Amritsar – Mumbai Central Special journey commencing on January 11, 2021 will be diverted via Amritsar – Tarn Taran – Beas instead of Amritsar – Jandiala – Beas.

    3). Train No. 02925 Bandra Terminus – Amritsar Special journey commencing on January 11, will be diverted via Beas – Tarn Taran – Amritsar instead of Beas – Jandiala – Amritsar.

    4). Train No. 02926 Amritsar – Bandra Terminus Special journey commencing on January 11, will be diverted via Amritsar – Tarn Taran – Beas instead of Amritsar – Jandiala – Beas.

  • Supreme Court has no role in resolving ‘political deadlock’ over new laws: Farmers’ union

    The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee alleged that the government is using the Supreme Court #39;as a political shield #39;.

  • Ex-NDA ally RLP’s Hanuman Beniwal says farmers agitation will reduce BJP to just two seats in next Lok Sabha elections

    Express News Service
    JAIPUR: Hanuman Beniwal, the RLP MP from Nagaur, has warned that “BJP will shrink back to two seats in Parliament” in view of its uncivil and non-cooperative attitude to citizens’ problems. Till 26th December Beniwal had been an ally of the BJP but like the Akali Dal, his RLP quit in support of the farmers agitation.

    Retaliating to controversial comments by BJP MP Jaskaur Meena and MLA Madan Dilawar’s who had termed farmers’ agitation as nothing but a “picnic spot where chicken biryani, cashews and almonds are being consumed daily, leading to spread of Bird Flu”, Beniwal, who broke away from NDA in protest against the Central Farm Laws, retorted this insensitivity on the part of BJP would cost it heavily in next elections.

    Beniwal emphasised that “the farmers’ agitation was a multi-state uprising which should not be taken lightly” and that “such provocative and insensible statements could prove to be disastrous for BJP” as the six states around Delhi had a combined representation of 120 MPs in Parliament.”  

    He said the RLP stood with the farmers as they were fighting for their rights and undertaking a peaceful protest of a scale and dimension never seen before in independent India. Beniwal said leaders like Jaskaur Meena and Madan Dilawar were not aware of the ground realities and invited them to the Rajasthan border to see whether the farmers were eating chicken biryani or cooking food for themselves.

    Affirming all agitators were genuine farmers, Beniwal opined such heartless BJP leaders needed psychiatric treatment especially when the movement was going on spontaneously at various state borders at Tikari, Singhu and Ghazipur. He felt “BJP leaders were talking such nonsense only to get attention in the media even though more than 50 farmers have been martyred in the cause”. Hanuman Beniwal said relay fast of RLP workers will continue till the withdrawal of the bill.

    The activism on the Shahjahanpur border of NH-48 has increased further after another dialogue of the farmers representatives with the central government failed to bear any resolution. Meanwhile, on Saturday, social activist Medha Patkar reached a halt in Maharashtra with the widows of 14 farmers who had committed suicide and had been on a hunger strike in protest against the Kisan Bill. In a statement at the site, National President of Kisan Mahapanchayat, Rampal Jat, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a dictator in power. Medha Patkar too described the Modi government as indulging in breaking the country with its devious policies and agendas. 

  • Akali Dal terms use of force by Haryana government against farmers ‘arrogant, power-drunken’

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday condemned the use of force against farmers in Haryana, terming it “arrogant and power-drunken” response by the BJP government.

    The Haryana Police used water cannons and lobbed teargas shells to prevent protesting farmers from marching towards Kaimla village in Karnal district where Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was to address people to highlight the “benefits” of the Centre’s three agriculture laws.

    The farmers, however, reached the village and vandalised the venue of the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ programme besides damaging the makeshift helipad where Khattar’s copter was to land. The CM did not attend the event.

    Badal said the “wanton and brutal repression” by the Manohar Lal Khattar dispensation against “peacefully and democratically” protesting farmers clearly showed the BJP governments at the Centre and states were “full of hatred for the farmers”.

    They have “no intention” of resolving the crisis created by the passage of three Acts on marketing of farmers’ produce, the SAD president said in a statement. “It is shocking that no effort was made at all by those in power in Haryana to talk to the farmers who were protesting peacefully. Instead, they abused the might of the state to provoke and suppress democratic protests,” said Badal, whose party has broken ties with the NDA after the promulgation of the three Acts.

    The police “repression”, including use of water cannons, showed how “insensitive” the BJP has become to the plight of the farmers, the SAD president said and lauded the farmers’ organisations for leading an “exemplary peaceful, disciplined and democratic movement”.

    ALSO READ| 40-year-old Punjab farmer ends life at Singhu border: Haryana Police

    For over a month several farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, are camping at the borders of Delhi to protest the three farms laws, which the NDA claims will reform the agri sector.

    However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

    “The world has not seen a movement like this by beleaguered peasantry for a long time now. I am running out of words to express my admiration for the farmers and the farmers organisations for this unprecedented movement. The SAD stands fully with our brave but beleaguered brethren, the farmers,” Badal said.

    The Akali leader also came down heavily on the Punjab BJP leaders for their “highly provocative statements and acts” against the agitating farmers. He asked the BJP leaders to refrain from disturbing the hard-earned atmosphere of peace in Punjab.

    “The Punjab unit of the BJP is rubbing salt in farmers’ wounds. I fail to understand this party’s overall mindset against the farmers. On one hand they are inviting farmers for talks while on the other they are provoking them through protests and provocative acts against them,” Badal said.

    He asked the BJP to understand that “the whole of Punjab stands solidly behind farmers. People will never forgive those who don’t stand solidly by the country’s annadata (food providers). The BJP is totally isolated”.

  • Militants, robbers may have joined farmers’ stir: Rajasthan BJP MLA Madan Dilawar

    By PTI
    KOTA: BJP’s Kota MLA Madan Dilawar on Saturday triggered a controversy, suggesting that militants and robbers wanting to destroy the country may have joined the farmers’ agitation against the Centre’s farm laws at the Delhi borders.

    The MLA further alleged that the ‘so-called’ farmers are not worried about the country, ‘enjoying picnic’ and ‘luxuries’ besides relishing delicacies.

    In a video statement released here, he suggested that the agitators are “conspiring” to spread bird flu by consuming chicken at the protest sites.

    ALSO READ: Ready with pleas to challenge farm laws, waiting for right time, says Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

    The ruling Congress in the state reacted sharply to the remarks by the Kota’s Ramganjmandi MLA, terming his statement as ‘shameful’, which reflects the BJP’s ideology.

    In his video, Dilawar lashed at the protesters and said, “The so-called farmers involved in the agitation are not worried about the country. They are not protesting but enjoying picnic, relishing chicken, biryani, cashew, almonds and are availing all sorts of luxuries.”

    “There may be militants, robbers and thieves among them and they may also be enemies of farmers and all these people want to ruin the country,” Dilawar alleged.

    ALSO READ: Agri laws: Wisconsin Speaker supports farmers’ protests; writes to Indian, US envoys

    The BJP MLA claimed that by ‘consuming’ chicken and biryani at the agitation sites, they are ‘conspiring’ to spread bird flu in the country.

    If the government does not remove them by persuasion or force in the next few days, I can clearly anticipate bird flu assuming a terrible form in the country, Dilawar said.

    The BJP MLA said he has urged the Union government to stop these people from assembling on roads and if they don’t agree, the government should take stern step to disperse them.

    Reacting to the MLA’s remarks, Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra said his statement reflects the BJP’s ideology.

    “It is shameful for Rajasthan BJP MLA Madan Dilawar to use words like militant, robber for farmers,” Dotasra said in a tweet.

  • Songs of solidarity: Harbhajan Mann, Jazzy B, Rabbi Shergill take the stage at Tikri border

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Harbhajan Mann, Jazzy B, Rabbi Shergill and a host of other Punjabi singers performed at an ‘Artists for Farmers’ concert at the Tikri border on Saturday, raising spirits of farmers camping on the road braving cold and rain as they await a resolution to their demand for repeal of new farm laws.

    Some of them sang songs of dissent, some raised slogans and delivered motivational speeches, and virtually everyone paid their gratitude to the farmers protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws for over a month now.

    Their message was loud and clear: “We stand by you.”

    Kanwar Grewal, Harf Cheema, Noor Chahal too performed in the concert.

    Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker, who has been vocal about her support for the farmers movement and joined the protest at the Singhu border, was also present at the event.

    ALSO READ: Ready with pleas to challenge farm laws, waiting for right time, says Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

    Harbhajan Mann extended support to the farmers’ demand for repeal of the farm laws and thanked them for all the love they have given him over all these years.

    Kanwar Garewal and Jazzy B, courtesy their protest songs, touched just the right musical note with the protesters.

    Noor Chahal said the powers that be have long divided people in terms of religion and caste but it won’t be able to do so here.

    “I am a daughter of a farmer. Our history tells us that we have won many fights before. I am sure we will win this one too,” she said to a packed crowd.

    ALSO READ: Agri laws: Wisconsin Speaker supports farmers’ protests; writes to Indian, US envoys

    Majority of the Punjabi singers have supported the farmers in the ongoing protest.

    Some like Kanwar Grewal and Harf Cheema, who have been associated with the movement since the very beginning, are also the voices behind some of the viral songs on the farmers movement.

    Their song “Peecha”, which has got over 80 lakh views on YouTube, is a massive hit among protesters camping at different border points of Delhi.

    It speaks of the rift between Punjab and Delhi, farmer suicides and the Centre’s “black laws”.

    “The programme was very good and it lasted for over two hours. They entertained us as well as supported us. They said that they are with us in this cause,” said Jagtar Taari, hailing from Bhatinda district of Punjab.

    ALSO READ: SC to hear pleas against new agri laws, all issues related to farmers protest on January 11

    Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, are staying put at various border points of Delhi since late November last year to protest against recent farm laws of the Centre.

    The three laws have been projected by the central government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country.

    However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

    The government’s negotiations with farm unions to end over-a-month-long agitation appeared heading nowhere at the eighth round of talks on Friday as the Centre ruled out repealing the three contentious laws claiming nationwide support for reforms while the farmer leaders said they are ready to fight till death and their ‘ghar waapsi’ will happen only after ‘law waapsi’.

    The next meeting has been fixed for January 15, amid indications that any headway will now depend on a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for January 11 on a batch of petitions related to the protest.