Put contentious farm laws on hold, says SC; Tomar issues open letter to 'annadaatas'

New Delhi: Acknowledging the right of farmers to non-violent protests, the Supreme Court on Thursday mooted the idea of putting on hold the contentious farm laws to enable negotiations with agitating farmers which was opposed by the Centre saying agriculturists would then not come forward for the talks.

As the top court in its bid to break the deadlock, Union Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar issued an eight-page open letter to farmers saying the Centre is ready to address all their concerns.

Accusing the Congress and other Opposition parties of spreading falsehoods on the new farm laws, Tomar also appealed to the agitating farmers not to fall prey to the "white lies" being spread by politically motivated people.

Tomar, who is leading the negotiations with about 40 farmer unions along with Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, assured that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will continue and the mandi system will be strengthened.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tomar through his letter to farmers has made an effort to engage in a humble dialogue, and appealed to the 'annadaatas' to read it.

Meanwhile, the Apex Court, which made it clear that the issue of farmers' protest and the right to move freely of others would be dealt on priority and not the validity of laws at the moment, also said it was thinking of setting up an "impartial and independent" panel of agriculture experts and farmer unions to resolve the impasse.

The top court said it was of the view that the farmers' right to protest should not infringe the fundamental rights of others to move freely and in getting essential food and other supplies as the right to protest cannot mean blockade of the entire city.

The top court, which said it was worried about the way things are going on, was told by both the Centre and one of the farmers' union that the negotiations are not happening at the moment. It also said farmers cannot keep on protesting without talking to the government.

"You continue the protest. You have the right. But you have a purpose also and that purpose is served only if you talk, discuss and reach a conclusion," a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said but added that in a democracy, police and authorities have to be given the power to prevent the protesters from infringing the rights of others.

The bench said it would pass an order on constituting a committee only after hearing all the parties including the protesting farmer unions and putting on hold the implementation of new agri laws by the Centre would enable negotiations with farmers.

However, Attorney General K K Venugopal opposed the suggestion and said if the implementation of the farm laws is put on hold then farmers would not come forward for negotiations.

The top court said it was not asking the Centre to stay the farm laws but only suggesting that its implementation be put on hold for the time being to enable the farmers to talk with the government. 

"We are worried about the plight of farmers. We are also Indian but we are worried about the way things are going on," the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, said and added they (protesting farmers) are not a mob.

The top court said it will pass orders for serving notices to the protesting farmer unions and give them the liberty to approach the vacation bench during the winter break.

During the hearing conducted through video-conferencing, the bench observed that it recognises the farmers' right to protest but this right should not infringe the fundamental rights of others to move freely and in getting essential food and other supplies.

The top court told Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) group, which was the only farmer organisation represented before the court today through lawyer A P Singh, that they cannot keep on protesting without talking to the government.

The border areas of the Capital were closed as they have been for the last two weeks but the city saw increased traffic jams due to multiple demonstrations over civic body-funding, as a result of which, more diversions were created in the city. As for the border, the Delhi Police said that Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Sabholi and Mangesh borders remain closed.

"Please take alternate routes via Lampur, Safiabad and Singhu school toll tax borders. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK Road. Please avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road, NH-44," police said.