Farmers' Protests | 'Why Can't Centre Make A Statement That Their Doors Are Open For Farmers?' Supreme Court Asks

The Supreme Court today (January 2) heard a petition filed by Guninder Kaur Gill seeking the Court's intervention in the larger issues raised in the ongoing farmers' protest, including seeking a statutory guarantee of Minimum Support Price. During the hearing, the Court orally asked the Union Government why it could not express readiness to consider the genuine grievances.When the matter came up before a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta clarified that he has "no knowledge" of what this petition is. Justice Bhuyan questioned: "Mr Mehta, you have been there for all these days, why your client cannot make a statement that we will consider the genuine and that we are open to genuine grievances of farmers?"At the outset, Justice Kant suggested that the petitioner approach the High-Powered Committee, which was constituted by the Supreme Court for negotiations with the protesting farmers. Justice Kant told Gill, "Think of something. Let us not go with the confrontation. Madam Gill, you can play a very vital role. Think of the Committee comprising of former Judge, who has his roots in agriculture and who belongs to both States [Haryana and Punjab].. We have thought about including some experts who are from Punjab and Haryana who are agriculture economists.. or belongs to the agricultural profession. They are all learned, neutral fellows. None of them have those (political) backgrounds..names came from both sides. Now, that Committee is there, why are you using this platform because we cannot directly dialogue with farmers..."When Mehta added that there is a Committee constituted by the Union Government, which can also discuss the issues raised in Gill's petition, Justice Bhuyan asked: "Why cannot the Central Government also make a statement that their doors are open for the farmers?"Mehta responded that there are "several factors" at play which the Court is unaware of. He said: "Right now, we are confining to the health of one individual [Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike] and Central Government is concerned of each and every farmer."When Justice Kant reiterated that the Court was issuing notice on this, Mehta opposed it and said: "May I request? Instead of issuing notice, they may give me a copy" The Court directed the copy of the petition be handed over to the counsel for the Union and asked them to seek instructions on this matter within 10 days. A copy was also directed to be served on the Secretary of the Court-appointed committee.Justice Kant also told the Advocate for Gill, Bonita Singh, to not "play to the galleries" to appear in media or paper. Also from today's hearing - Farmers Protest | 'Your Attitude Is There Should Be No Reconciliation': Supreme Court Pulls Up Punjab Govt For Not Shifting Dallewal To HospitalCase Details: GUNINDER KAUR GILL NEXT FRIEND OF JAGJIT SINGH DALLEWAL v. UNION OF INDIA., Diary No. 60793-2024 PIL-WClick Here To Read/Download Order

Farmers' Protests | 'Why Can't Centre Make A Statement That Their Doors Are Open For Farmers?' Supreme Court Asks

Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

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