New Delhi: Hours after the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of three farm laws, the farmer union leaders who are protesting against the laws for over a month said the agitation will “go on as usual”.
They also alleged that the members who are in the committee set up by the Supreme Court for talks are pro-government and had been justifying the laws of the government.
The farmer leaders made it clear that they will not accept the decision of the court to form a committee. Farmer leaders addressed a press conference today to clear their stand about the Supreme Court’s decision.
One of the farmer leaders, Dr Darshan Pal said, “Last night, we gave a press note in which we said that any SC-appointed committee is not going to be acceptable to us.”
Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajoal said, ‘We think the government is bringing this committee through Supreme Court. We do not accept this committee as all the members in this committee have been pro-government, these members have been justifying the laws.”
He further said “This committee is to divert the attention from the main issue. All the four members have been continuously supporting the farm laws through their articles.”
He further said, “Even if the members of committee change, we still will not take part in discussions with committee.”
“We had said yesterday itself that we won’t appear before any such committee. Our agitation will go on as usual. All the members of this Committee are pro-government and had been justifying the laws of the government. The formation of the committee is an act to divert attention from the issue,” Balbir Singh Rajewal, Bhartiya Kisan Union (R) said while addressing a press conference here at Singhu border, where farmers are protesting against the farm laws for over a month now.
Bill wapasi nahi, ghar wapasi nahi (Won't return home until the bill is taken back), says Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union on being asked about Supreme Court's order on three Farm Laws https://t.co/O6Stqcqg3f pic.twitter.com/E0ro7e9FMW
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2021
Asked about the farmers’ views on Supreme Court advice regarding removing senior citizens and women’s presence from the protest site, Rajewal said, “Seniors don’t want to leave the protest site. No one will leave the protest sites till the laws are repealed.”
The programmes, which were scheduled for January 26, will be peaceful: Rajewal
“Our January 26 programme will be completely peaceful, the way the rumour is spread like we are going to attack an enemy country. After January 15, we will outline our January 26 programme,” he said.
On January 2, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a joint front of almost 40 farmer organisations threatened that farmers will march into Delhi on January 26 with their tractors, trolleys and other vehicles if their demands are not met and also said a “farmers’ republic parade” will take place after the official parade.
We had said yesterday itself that we won't appear before any such committee. Our agitation will go on as usual. All the members of this Committee are pro-govt and had been justifying the laws of the Government: Balbir Singh Rajewal, Bhartiya Kisan Union (R) https://t.co/KE9vMGUKjl pic.twitter.com/n2FFh5oj9k
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2021
Meanwhile, Krantikari Kisan Union chief Darshan Pal said the farmers’ union will not accept any committee formed by the Supreme Court for mediation.
“We had issued a press note last night stating that we won’t accept any committee formed by Supreme Court for mediation. We were confident that the Centre will get a committee formed through the Supreme Court to take the burden off their shoulders,” Rajewal said.
“We will celebrate Lohri tomorrow and will burn the copies of three farm laws. On January 18 we will celebrate Women’s day and on January 20 we will celebrate the Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh,” he added.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the implementation of three farms laws until further orders and formed a four-member committee to hold talks with farmers over the Acts.
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde heard a batch of petitions, including those filed by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, RJD MP Manoj K Jha, regarding the constitutional validity of three farm laws, passed by the Central government along with the plea to disperse protesting farmers.
Farmers have been protesting at the different borders of the national capital since November last year, against the three newly enacted farm laws – Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
