Today(on 12th July),The Supreme Court directed the Haryana government to remove barricades blocking the Ambala-New Delhi highway at the Shambhu border, where farmers have been protesting since February 13. The court questioned the justification for blocking the highway amid ongoing farmer protests for MSP and other demands.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 12th July), The Supreme Court questioned the Haryana government’s decision to block a major highway and instructed the immediate removal of the barricading set up at the Shambhu border near Ambala. Farmers have been camping at this site since February 13, leading to significant disruption in traffic flow on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway.
The barricades were initially set up in February when the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) announced their plans to march towards Delhi. Their movement was in support of various demands, notably a legal guarantee to the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, which is crucial for the agricultural community’s sustenance and economic stability.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan made a pointed observation regarding the state’s action after the counsel representing the Haryana government informed them about an ongoing appeal process. The appeal was against the high court’s July 10 order that mandated the reopening of the highway within seven days.
Justice Bhuyan expressed his concerns by stating-
“How can a state block a highway? Its duty is to regulate traffic. We are instructing to open it with regulation.”
This remark came after the counsel for the Haryana government detailed the filing of an appeal in the apex court.
The context of the farmers’ protest stems from their longstanding demand for a legal guarantee of MSP, which they believe is essential for ensuring fair prices for their produce. The movement, led by the SKM and KMM, has seen substantial participation from the farming community, highlighting the critical nature of the MSP issue.
The Supreme Court’s directive is a critical intervention, emphasizing the need to balance state actions with the fundamental duty to ensure unhindered traffic flow on national highways. The removal of barricades is expected to restore normalcy in traffic and address the inconvenience faced by commuters due to the prolonged blockade.
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The high court’s order on July 10 was a clear instruction to the state to open the highway, recognizing the adverse impact of the blockade on daily commuters and overall traffic regulation. The Supreme Court’s reinforcement of this order underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding citizens’ rights to free movement while also acknowledging the farmers’ right to protest.