SC pulls up Centre over handling of farmer protests

The Supreme Court Monday pulled up the Centre for its handling of the farmers protest against the new farm laws, During the hearing of pleas challenging the new farm laws, the Supreme Court said it was "disappointed" with the way the negotiation process with the protesting farmers over the farm laws was handled by the central government. "Hold the laws in abeyance, why is it a prestige issue?" asked the Supreme Court. Indicating amply that it may go to the extent of staying the implementation of the contentious farm laws, the apex court 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.' Mr Attorney General, please don't lecture us on patience, a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said.

"We want the government to hold the laws in abeyance...if the Centre does not want to stay the implementation of farm laws, we will put a stay on it." CJI Bobde said. "We are proposing to pass an order to facilitate the solution to farm laws problem through a Committee to be appointed by us," the Supreme Court said and asked the Center and the farmer unions to suggest names of former CJIs who can head the expert committee. The court also suggested that it will not pass any order against any citizen or group of citizens saying they cannot protest while suggesting that the site of the farmers' protest be shifted. The Supreme Court hearing will resume tomorrow(Tuesday).