The Supreme Court-appointed committee’s report on the new farm laws has addressed all apprehensions of the farmers and its recommendations will pave the way to resolve the ongoing farmers’ agitation, says Anil J. Ghanwat, President, Shetkari Sanghatana. He urged the Chief Justice of India to release the panel’s report and forward it to the Centre.
“As a member of the Committee, especially representing the farmers’ community, I am pained that the issue raised by the farmers aren’t yet resolved and the agitation is continuing. I feel that the report has not been given any attention by the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” Ghanwat said in a letter addressed to the CJI. “I am humbly pleading to the Hon’ble Supreme Court to kindly release the report for implementation of its recommendations for peaceful resolution of the stalemate to the farmers’ satisfaction at the earliest.”
However, the Supreme Court in January this year constituted the committee saying talks between the farmers’ organizations and the Centre have not yielded any result. “We are of the view that the constitution of a committee of experts in the field of agriculture to negotiate between the farmers’ bodies and the Government of India may create a congenial atmosphere and improve the trust and confidence of the farmers.”
On Tuesday, farmers in Haryana’s Karnal protested and demanded action against officials over the lathi-charge against protesters on August 28 in Karnal. Farmer unions had earlier warned they will gherao the mini-secretariat if the administration did not meet their demands. After the mahapanchayat, the protesting farmers marching on foot to the mini-secretariat were confronted by the police with water cannon.
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Ghanwat told The Indian Express that his heart goes out to the farmers and he wishes the agitation would stop. “This is an issue which affects the country’s economy and law and order. Therefore, the Supreme Court should hear this matter as soon as possible, so that the issue can be debated and both sides can argue,” he said. “Farmers have been protesting against the new farm laws for the last nine months. It has been five months since we submitted the report. Yet no action has been taken to make it public. Our consultations were exhaustive and we feel once the report is made public, the next course of action will be taken.”
The committee member believes the Supreme Court should order whatever step it wants to take. “There is no point in keeping the report in cold storage. It is painful to see the farmers getting wet in the rain. That’s why the request. If it remains like this, many years can pass.”
