NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday urged protesting farmers to follow
Gandhian principles
of protest.
The court directed the high-powered panel to engage with the agitating farmers and convince them to either halt their protest or move away from the highways.
The Supreme Court emphasised that the high-powered committee, established to address farmers’ grievances at the Shambhu border, had strongly advised against using force on the protesters.
“Committee might be in the best place to convince farmers to suspend for a while…1947 history will give numerous examples [of Gandhian philosophy],” the Supreme Court said.
“Primary task of committee now would be to persuade farmers, without prejudice to their manner of proceeding, to convince them to shift from the highway or suspend their movement…this harsh weather also not good,” it added.
The court had set up a high-powered committee in September to conduct negotiations with the farmers demonstrating at Shambhu border.
The apex court also expressed concern over about the declining health of
Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is conducting a fast-unto-death.
“No force should be used to break Punjab farmer leader Dallewal’s protest unless it is imperative to save his life,” SC said.
Since February 13, farmers affiliated with Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have stationed themselves at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after security forces prevented their march to Delhi.
The farmers’ demands include a legal guarantee on MSP for crops, debt relief, pensions for farmers and agricultural workers, stable electricity rates, withdrawal of police cases and “justice” for the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence victims.
Their demands also include the restoration of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation for families of farmers who lost their lives during the 2020-21 protest.
