Making the announcement on Thursday, Mann said he is thankful to the court for nominating him on the committee but would sacrifice any position offered to him so as not to compromise the interests of farmers. “While I am thankful to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for nominating me in the 4 member committee to start dialogue with Kisan Unions on the three laws brought in by the Central Government, as a farmer myself and a union leader, in view of the prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst the farm unions and the public in general, I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me so as to not compromise the interests of Punjab and farmers of the country” he stated.
The inclusion of the 81-year-old former MP has stoked a controversy. Mann said that being a farmers and union leader he would stand with the farmers and would sacrifice any position offered to him so as to not compromise the interests of Punjab and farmers of the country.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday stayed the implementation of controversial new farm laws till further orders and decided to set up a committee to resolve the impasse over them between the Centre and farmers' unions protesting at Delhi borders. In its interim order, the court directed that the committee shall held its first sitting within 10 days from Tuesday.