National Desk
24 July
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Amid the standoff between farmers and Haryana Police at the Shambhu border, the Supreme Court has ordered a ‘status quo’ for one week. The court noted a significant trust deficit between the farmers and the central government and proposed forming an impartial committee of eminent personalities to address the farmers’ demands, including the legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP). The Punjab and Haryana state governments were asked to suggest names for the committee and to propose lifting restrictions on the national highway.
A three-judge bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, emphasized the need for an impartial mediator to build trust. The bench, including Justices Dipankar Dutta and Ujjal Bhuyan, urged steps to engage with the farmers to prevent them from marching to Delhi. The court’s order came during a hearing on Haryana’s plea against a High Court directive to remove restrictions on the Shambhu border near Ambala.
Protesting farmers have been camped at the Shambhu border since February 13, initially blocking roads over three agricultural laws and now demanding MSP guarantees. The Supreme Court urged the government to consider the farmers’ demands, noting some might be valid. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted law and order concerns if farmers moved toward Delhi. Punjab’s Advocate General Gurminder Singh argued the highway closure negatively impacts Punjab’s economy. The Supreme Court reiterated that while traffic should be controlled, highways cannot remain closed indefinitely. The court’s comments followed Haryana’s challenge to a High Court decision on a committee to investigate the February death of farmer Shubkaran Singh during clashes with Haryana security personnel.