Farmers' Protest: 'Either You Stay It Or We Will Do It,' SC Slams Centre Over Farm Laws

We are extremely disappointed with the way negotiations are going on between govt and farmers over new farm laws, the SC commented during its hearing on farmers protests

Supreme Court of India. (File Photo/ Getty)

Farmers' Protest: The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Centre over the contentious farm laws and said that either the Centre should put a stay on the laws or the court will.  The Chief Justice of India has asked whether the implementation of laws can be put on hold for the time being.  It said will constitute a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to resolve the impasse. 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 . "We are extremely disappointed with the way negotiations are going on between government and farmers over new farm laws," the SC commented during its hearing on a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws against which several farmer organisations are staging protest at Delhi borders. "You (Centre) have not handled this properly, we will have to take some action today," said CJI in a major remark to the government. He said, "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," while hearing the petitions challenging constitutional validity of farm laws. The CJI said: 'If the Centre does not want to stay the implementation of farm laws, we will put a stay on it.' The bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde told the Centre: "We don't want to make any stray observations on your negotiations but we are extremely disappointed with the process." The apex court, which was hearing a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders, said it is not talking about the repeal of these farm laws at the moment. This is a very delicate situation, the bench said, adding, There is not a single petition before us which says that these farm laws are beneficial . Defending the laws, Attorney General KK Venugopal said before SC: "What happened with Haryana CM cannot happen. On 26th January, farmers with their tractors are planning to march down to Rajpath to destroy a day of national importance, says AG KK Venugopal before SC. "We should be allowed to go to the Ramlila Maidan, we are not interested in any violence," says Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for one of the farmers' unions. "How can such important laws be passed through voice vote in Parliament," he said. "If the Centre is serious, then it can hold a joint session of Parliament. Why is the government shying away from it," he added. (inputs from agencies)