Today(on 24th July),the Supreme Court proposed forming an independent committee of eminent individuals to address the protesting farmers’ demands. Justice Surya Kant emphasized the need for a “neutral umpire” to build trust between the farmers and the government.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Today(on 24th July), suggested forming an independent committee composed of eminent persons to engage with the protesting farmers and seek a resolution to their demands.
A three-judge bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, highlighted the necessity for a “neutral umpire” to bridge the trust gap between the farmers and the government.
The bench, which also included Justices Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan, emphasized-
“You need to take steps to engage with the farmers. Otherwise, why would they want to come to Delhi? Although Ministers are being sent, there remains a trust deficit despite their best efforts.”
The bench continued, urging for immediate action:
“Appropriate instructions should be issued within a week. In the meantime, the parties are to maintain the status quo at the Shambhu border to prevent the situation from escalating.”
The Supreme Court was addressing the Haryana government’s appeal against a high court directive that ordered the removal of barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala, where farmers have been stationed since February 13. The court’s order to maintain the status quo means the border, which has been closed for months, will not be opened immediately.
The closure of the Shambhu border began on February 13, the same day when several farmer unions from Punjab marched towards Delhi with demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
ALSO READ: HC Ordered Haryana Gov. to Remove Shambhu Border Barricades in Seven Days
Proposal for an Independent Committee
The Supreme Court proposed the establishment of an independent committee comprising eminent individuals who can effectively communicate with farmers and other stakeholders to find a just and fair solution.
The bench suggested-
“Until the committee is constituted, the Punjab and Haryana governments should maintain the status quo at the Shambhu VPN border near Ambala in Haryana.”
Moreover, the court instructed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to propose names for the independent committee members or else the court would identify suitable persons for the task. The states were given a week to suggest these names.
The Supreme Court underscored the urgency for trust-building measures, stating-
“You need to take steps to engage with the farmers. Otherwise, why would they want to come to Delhi? Although Ministers are being sent, a trust deficit remains despite their best efforts. The farmers may perceive these actions as self-serving and dismissive of local issues. Why not appoint a neutral umpire instead?”
Previously, on June 10, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Haryana government to reopen the Shambhu border within one week. This border, which connects Punjab and Haryana, had been blocked by protesting farmers and subsequently closed by the Haryana government.
On July 10, the Haryana government appealed to the Supreme Court against the high court’s order, arguing that the directive was given despite the state’s “categorical submission” regarding potential “law and order issues.”
The Supreme Court’s proactive stance in proposing an independent committee aims to foster dialogue and trust between the government and the protesting farmers. This move is seen as a step towards finding a balanced and peaceful resolution to the ongoing farmers’ protests, ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and addressed in a fair and just manner.
