The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the governments of Haryana and Punjab to maintain the status quo at the Shambhu border, where tensions have escalated due to prolonged farmer protests. The court’s decision came while hearing a plea from the Haryana government, which contested a Punjab and Haryana High Court order to remove barricades at the border near Ambala. These barricades have been in place since farmers began their sit-in on February 13.
In a significant move, the three-judge bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, emphasized the need to address the underlying trust issues between the farmers and the government. To facilitate this, the Supreme Court proposed the formation of an independent committee. This committee would consist of eminent individuals tasked with mediating between the protesting farmers and the government to explore viable solutions to the farmers’ demands.
Justice Surya Kant highlighted the importance of establishing a “neutral umpire” to restore and enhance trust. “You have to take some steps to reach out to farmers. Why would they otherwise want to come to Delhi? You are sending ministers from here and despite their best intentions, there is a trust deficit,” he stated, addressing the government’s efforts.
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The bench, which also includes Justices Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan, mandated that appropriate measures be considered and instructions provided within a week. During this period, all parties are instructed to maintain the current conditions at the Shambhu border to prevent any further escalation of the situation.
