SC defers plea seeking end to agitation

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed farmers amassed at Delhi’s borders to continue their protest against the three contentious laws that seek to open up trade in agriculture, emphasising that to protest against a law was a fundamental right.A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde shot down a plea by the Centre as well as some petitioners, refusing to restrain the farmers as long as the protests are non-violent and do not result in damage to the life and property of other citizens. The bench advised the central government to consider putting the farm laws on hold. Postponing the matter to January, CJI Bobde said it will be heard by a vacation bench. The apex court did not pass any orders on the PIL seeking the removal of protesters from Delhi's borders citing non-representation of farmers' outfits at the time of the hearing.

While the central government was represented in court by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, senior advocates Harish Salve and OP Parihar appeared for the petitioner. Arguments on behalf of the Punjab government were made by P Chidambaram. Farmers, on the other hand, were represented by lawyers Vineet Parikh, Prashant Bhushan, Colin Gonsalves and Dushyant Dave. In a press release on Thursday, the Sankyukta Kisan Morcha confirmed that no notice has been issued to farmers' outfits by the SC as of yet. The union added that its leaders will discuss the matter with senior lawyers Dushyant Dave, Prashant Bhushan, Colin Gonsalves and HS Fulka among others on Friday.On Thursday, a bench of the Delhi High Court led by Chief Justice DN Patel refused to entertain a PIL seeking removal of agitating farmers from Delhi's borders. The matter is already pending before the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Patel remarked.

Later on Thursday, Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar tried to dispel the protesting farmers’ misgivings in an impassioned letter to the them, reiterating his commitment to resolve issues and a written assurance on state-set minimum support prices. He said confusion had been created by some political forces to derail the reforms. In his 8 page letter to farmers, Tomar also said the Centre is ready to give farmers a written assurance for legal guarantees regarding MSP. Requesting farmers to read the letter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also urged Indians to ensure that Tomar's letter reaches more and more people.

The central government also released a 100-page e-booklet titled 'Putting Farmers First' essaying success stories of farmers who have supposedly benefited as a result of the implementation of the new farm laws. The Delhi Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on Thursday aimed at cancelling out the contentious farm laws. The BJP has launched a nationwide campaign to counter 'misinformation' about the Centre's farm laws.