4 years ago
Amid a deadlock in the government's negotiations with the protesting farmer unions, the Supreme Court today delivered its judgment on petitions challenging the validity of the three farm laws enacted last September.
The top court told the centre it has the power to suspend the farm laws at the core of massive farmer protests near Delhi and form a committee to solve the crisis. "These are matters of life and death. We are concerned with laws. We are concerned with lives and property of people affected by the agitation. We are trying to solve the problem in the best way. One of the powers we have is to suspend the legislation," Chief Justice SA Bobde said.
The top court also issued notice to farmers' unions on a Delhi Police plea to stop a tractor rally during the January 26 Republic Day parade. The judges rebuffed the lawyer for protesting farmers, ML Sharma, as he said farmers would not participate in the committee as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had refused to talk to them.
The top court on Monday demanded the repeal of the three new farm laws, saying it was "extremely disappointed" with the negotiation process, and also expressed its inclination to stay the implementation of the acts. It asked the central government whether it would pause the three controversial laws at the core of massive farmer protests near Delhi, and suggested a committee for negotiations.
Meanwhile, the farmers - thousands of whom have been camped out around Delhi since late November - made this clear, as they did back then and in December, when they said "now is not the time for a committee".
Here are the LIVE Updates of the proceedings:
Jan 12, 2021 23:17 (IST)
Facing heat over the ongoing six-week-long farmers' agitation, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Tuesday said there is no threat to the BJP-JJP coalition government and it will complete its full five year term.
Jan 12, 2021 23:03 (IST)
The Government on Tuesday said the Supreme Court order to stay implementation of three new farm laws is against its wish but the direction of the top court is ''sarva-manya'' (acceptable to all) and welcomed the composition of an "impartial" committee to resolve the deadlock.
Jan 12, 2021 22:23 (IST)
Shetkari Sanghatana chief Anil Ghanwat, a member of the committee appointed by the Supreme Court to hold talks with agitating farmers, said on Tuesday that the new farm laws partially implement what his outfit has been demanding for decades.
Jan 12, 2021 20:34 (IST)
After Supreme Court order, farmers should end protest: ML Khattar
Mr Khattar has been targeted by farmer unions for supporting the new laws enacted at the Centre in September.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said the farmers protesting at Delhi's borders should end their agitation now following the formation of a committee by the Supreme Court over the new farm laws.
"The ball is now in the court of the SC and I feel whatever is its decision, it will be acceptable to all," he said, welcoming thetop court order.
The Supreme Court stayed till further orders the implementation the three central agri-marketing laws over which farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been protesting for weeks.
The court also announced the formation of a four-member committee to resolve the deadlock over the new laws between the Centre and farmers' unions.
On the farmer unions' refusal to call off their protest after the order, Mr Khattar said there was no reason now for them to continue with it.
He said the farmers should lift their "dharna" at Delhi's border and head back to the places they had come from.
Jan 12, 2021 19:41 (IST)
The Centre should repeal the three farm laws or it will cost the ruling BJP-JJP alliance in Haryana "heavily", a section of JJP MLAs said on Tuesday, hours before their party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Jan 12, 2021 18:43 (IST)
The four members of the Supreme Court-appointed committee to help resolve the ongoing farmers' protest, have taken pro-farm law stance in the past, NDTV has found. The court appointed the committee this afternoon in an order following a bunch of petitions challenging the Centre's farm laws passed in parliament in September.
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Jan 12, 2021 18:09 (IST)
"Government trying to form committee on farm laws via Supreme Court, all members are pro laws," say protesting farmers
Jan 12, 2021 16:53 (IST)
Centre must come forward now to consider farmers' demand, says ex-law minister
Former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar reacted after Supreme Court's judgment to stay all three farm laws until further order and said "the nation will expect lots from SC to solve humanitarian problems, but essentially it seems the matter of the policy."
"I do not know to what extent the Supreme Court eventually able to resolve the matter. The responsive government must come forward now to favourably consider the demand of the farmers," Ashwani Kumar told ANI.
"Supreme Court has decided according to its wisdom and I think the nation will expect lots from the Supreme Court in order to solve the humanitarian problem. I hope the farmer organisations will respond to the gesture of the Supreme Court but essentially it seems the matter of the policy," Mr Kumar added.
"Again, I do not like to comment on the formation of the committee but I think the farmers already have communicated to the highest political levels. If this committee is able to progress with the matter is a welcome step but I have my reservations," the senior Congress leader further said.
Former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar reacted after Supreme Court's judgment to stay all three farm laws until further order and said "the nation will expect lots from SC to solve humanitarian problems, but essentially it seems the matter of the policy."
"I do not know to what extent the Supreme Court eventually able to resolve the matter. The responsive government must come forward now to favourably consider the demand of the farmers," Ashwani Kumar told ANI.
"Supreme Court has decided according to its wisdom and I think the nation will expect lots from the Supreme Court in order to solve the humanitarian problem. I hope the farmer organisations will respond to the gesture of the Supreme Court but essentially it seems the matter of the policy," Mr Kumar added.
"Again, I do not like to comment on the formation of the committee but I think the farmers already have communicated to the highest political levels. If this committee is able to progress with the matter is a welcome step but I have my reservations," the senior Congress leader further said.
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Jan 12, 2021 16:52 (IST)
Farmer leaders welcome top court verdict staying implementation of farm laws
"We welcome the court''s order to stay the implementation of the farm laws, but we want a complete repeal of these laws, which is our main demand," Abhimanyu Kohar, a senior leader of the Morcha, told PTI.
Farmer leaders welcomed the Supreme Court order to stay the implementation of three farm laws on Tuesday, but said they would not call off their protest until the legislations are repealed.
The Sankyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of around 40 protesting farmer unions, has called a meeting later in the day to decide the next course of action.
The farmer leaders said they are not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee appointed by the Supreme Court, but a formal decision on this will be taken by the Morcha.
Jan 12, 2021 15:43 (IST)
Farmer leaders welcome Supreme Court verdict staying implementation of 3 farm laws, but say protest to continue
Farmer leaders welcomed the Supreme Court order to stay the implementation of three farm laws on Tuesday, but said they would not call off their protest until the legislations are repealed.
The Sankyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of around 40 protesting farmer unions, has called a meeting later in the day to decide the next course of action.
The farmer leaders said they are not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee appointed by the Supreme Court, but a formal decision on this will be taken by the Morcha.
"We welcome the court''s order to stay the implementation of the farm laws, but we want a complete repeal of these laws, which is our main demand," Abhimanyu Kohar, a senior leader of the Morcha, told PTI.
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Jan 12, 2021 15:01 (IST)
Supreme Court's stay on implementation of farm laws a positive step: Nationalist Congress Party
The Supreme Court staying implementation of the three controversial new farm laws enacted by the Centre is a welcome and positive step in the right direction to get justice for farmers, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said on Tuesday.
"Hon'ble Supreme Court's stay on implementation of #FarmLaws is a welcome & positive step in the right direction to get Justice for our farmers. Central Government must now stop their rigid ways of functioning, accept their mistake and rectify it," Maharashtra minister and NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik tweeted.
Jan 12, 2021 14:47 (IST)
Ex-Chief Justice of India refuses to head Supreme Court panel
Former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha refuses to head Supreme Court panel on farmers' protest
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Jan 12, 2021 13:47 (IST)
Names of Committee members by the CJI-led bench
Names of Committee members mentioned by the CJI-led bench: Harsmirat Mann, agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, Dr Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Dhanawat.
Names of Committee members mentioned by the CJI-led bench: Harsmirat Mann, agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, Dr Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Dhanawat.
Jan 12, 2021 13:36 (IST)
Supreme Court stays the implementation of three farms laws until further orders
Jan 12, 2021 13:32 (IST)
Farmers have called an urgent meeting of farm unions at 2:00 PM
Farmers have called an urgent meeting of farm unions at 2:00 PM regarding Supeme Court's judgement.
Jan 12, 2021 13:31 (IST)
File an affidavit by tomorrow: Chief Justice of India to Attorney General
If there is infiltration by a banned organisation and somebody is making an allegation here before us, you have to confirm it. File an affidavit by tomorrow: Chief Justice of India to Attorney General.
We will file an affidavit in this regard and place the IB records, says Attorney General
Jan 12, 2021 13:27 (IST)
Supreme Court issues notice to farmer unions over Delhi Police's plea against planned tractor rally on Republic Day
Jan 12, 2021 13:20 (IST)
Rahul Gandhi accuses government of misleading farmers
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at the Central Government saying that it is trying to mislead the protesting farmers by distracting them with unnecessary talks.
"Every attempt of the Government to mislead the Satyagrahi farmers by distracting them with unnecessary talks is useless. The Annadata understands the intentions of the Government; their demand is clear, take back the anti-agriculture laws, that's it!," Mr Gandhi tweeted.
Jan 12, 2021 13:13 (IST)
Jan 12, 2021 13:09 (IST)
The committee will be constituted so that the Court can understand the "ground situation", says Chief Justice SA Bobde
"These are matters of life and death. We are concerned with laws. We are concerned with lives and property of people affected by the agitation. We are trying to solve the problem in the best way. One of the powers we have is to suspend the legislation," Chief Justice SA Bobde said.
Jan 12, 2021 12:57 (IST)
Farm laws: This committee will be for us, says Chief Justice of India
This committee will be for us. All of you people who are expected to solve the issue will go before this committee. It will not pass an order or punish you, it will only submit a report to us, says CJI
Jan 12, 2021 12:50 (IST)
Farm laws: We're concerned about validity of the laws, says CJI
We're concerned about validity of the laws and also about protecting life and property of citizens affected by protests. We are trying to solve the problem in accordance with the powers we have. One of the powers we've is to suspend the legislation and make a committee, says CJI
Jan 12, 2021 12:43 (IST)
Supreme Court begins hearing several petitions challenging the three farm laws
Jan 12, 2021 11:47 (IST)
Union Minister Anurag Thakur urges Sonia Gandhi to revisit her speeches delivered in favour of agriculture reforms
Ahead of Supreme Court verdict on farm laws, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday urged Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi to revisit her speeches delivered in favour of reforms in the agriculture sector.
Reminding Congress chief Sonia Gandhi about the speeches she had delivered in favour of agriculture reforms, the BJP leader asked her to also listen to her son Rahul Gandhi's press conferences on agriculture reforms.
"My request to Sonia Gandhi is to listen to her old speeches, to see Rahul Gandhi's press conference. They themselves wanted these reforms in agriculture laws. They wanted accomplishment by implementing them but could not. On the other hand, Modi government always worked for the well being of farmers. Farmers welfare was merged with the agriculture ministry. Be it PM Kisan Yojana, soil testing, irrigation, Modi government did all," he added.
Mr Thakur said few people are misleading farmers. He also expressed hope of a solution to the deadlock over farm laws will be found.
Jan 12, 2021 11:30 (IST)
Don't want to appear before any SC-appointed committee: Farmer leaders
A joint front of 40 agitating farmers unions on Monday welcomed the suggestion of the Supreme Court for a stay on the farm laws implementation but said they are not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee that may be appointed by it.
Pulling up the Centre for its handling of the farmers'' protest, the apex court on Monday said it is "extremely disappointed" with the way negotiations between them were going and will constitute a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to resolve the impasse.
Jan 12, 2021 10:17 (IST)
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Dushyant Chautala to meet Amit Shah today
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi Tuesday to discuss the political scenario in the state. Mr Chautala will speak to Jannayak Janata Party MLAs at his farmhouse in Delhi, before the meeting.
Jan 12, 2021 10:08 (IST)
The Supreme Court bench on Monday heard a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues of citizens'' right to move freely during the ongoing farmers' stir. It indicated amply that it may go to the extent of staying the implementation of the contentious farm laws and 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".
