On January 2, the Supreme Court of India scrutinized the government’s reluctance to address farmers’ demands, particularly for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP). The court urged for dialogue and instructed a high-powered committee to engage with protesters. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal continues his fast demanding action, with responses due within ten days.
New Delhi: Today, on 2nd Jan, the Supreme Court of India questioned the Union government on its reluctance to openly declare that it is willing to address the genuine grievances of protesting farmers, including their demand for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP).
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan pressed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to explain why the Centre couldn’t issue a clear statement welcoming dialogue with farmers.
“Why can’t your client make a statement that it will consider the genuine demands and we are open to discuss the grievances of farmers, our doors are open?”
the bench asked.
The solicitor general responded cautiously, stating that “the Central government is concerned with each and every farmer,” but noted there were various complexities involved that the court might not be fully aware of.
The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed by Guninder Kaur Gill, representing farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, seeking the Centre’s implementation of the 2021 proposal to provide a legal guarantee of MSP. The proposal, which had been key to resolving the farmers’ agitation following the repeal of contentious farm laws, was now under scrutiny for non-compliance.
Gill argued passionately, stating,
“The matter was already resolved into a guarantee… It was a commitment and a promise on the basis of which the farmers withdrew their agitation. Now, they (Centre) cannot go back.”
However, the bench urged a non-confrontational approach, emphasizing the need for dialogue and mutual understanding.
“Let us not go with the confrontation… Please don’t think of confrontation,”
said Justice Surya Kant.
The court pointed to the establishment of a high-powered committee led by a retired high court judge, with experts in agriculture, economics, and education from Punjab and Haryana, to address the farmers’ issues. The bench expressed full confidence in the committee’s ability to mediate and resolve disputes.
“We have included experts from Punjab and Haryana, who are agriculturist, economist and professors. They are all learned, neutral fellows. Now that the committee is there, why are you not moving through a platform?”
remarked Justice Surya Kant.
The court directed a copy of the petition to be served to the committee’s member secretary. The committee, which is scheduled to engage with the protesting farmers and other stakeholders on January 3, was instructed to respond to the plea within 10 days.
The plea comes amidst continued protests by farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, who have been stationed at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 2024.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border since November 26, demanding the Centre’s acceptance of farmers’ longstanding demands.
The Supreme Court has asked both the Centre and the high-powered committee to file their responses to Dallewal’s plea within 10 days. The outcome of the January 3 discussions between the committee and farmer representatives will be crucial in shaping the future of these protests.
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