The Supreme Court on Thursday pressed the Central government for a declaration of openness and readiness to address the legitimate grievances of farmers, who have been protesting over demands including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
During a hearing, a bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan inquired of the solicitor general, Tushar Mehta, why the government could not openly commit to considering the farmers’ demands. “Why can’t your client make a statement that it will consider the genuine demands and we are open to discuss the grievances of farmers, our doors are open? Why can’t the Central government make a statement?” the bench posed.
The court’s remarks came as it dealt with a fresh plea filed by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, represented in-person by Guninder Kaur Gill, urging the government to fulfill promises made in 2021 following the repeal of controversial farm laws. These promises included the implementation of a legally guaranteed MSP, a pivotal issue for the protesting farmers.
Gill argued that the agreement reached in 2021, which led to the withdrawal of a lengthy farmer agitation, was a clear commitment by the government, stating, “The last two-three lines of the proposal make it amply clear that it was a guarantee on the part of the Central government… It was a commitment and a promise on the basis of which the farmers withdrew their andolan (agitation). Now, they (Centre) cannot go back,” she explained.
In response to concerns about ongoing confrontations, the court highlighted its creation of a high-powered committee headed by a retired high court judge with strong ties to the agriculture sector in Punjab and Haryana. The committee includes experts like agriculturists, economists, and professors, aiming to mediate and propose solutions to the ongoing disputes.
Justice Surya Kant emphasized the importance of the committee, encouraging engagement through this platform rather than direct confrontations. “We have included experts from Punjab and Haryana, who are all learned, neutral fellows and their names came from both sides. Now that the committee is there, why are you not moving through a platform? We cannot directly have dialogue with the farmers,” he remarked.
The bench has directed that a copy of the petition be served to the member secretary of the committee, which is scheduled to hold discussions with the protesting farmers and other stakeholders on January 3. Additionally, the court has requested responses from the Centre and the committee to the fresh petition within ten days.
