The Supreme Court has asked the Punjab and Haryana governments to suggest names of neutral individuals for an independent committee to mediate with farmers protesting at the Shambhu border. The farmers’ main demand is a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. The court emphasized the importance of peaceful dialogue and stated that no one should escalate the situation.
The court was addressing a plea by the Haryana government against a Punjab and Haryana High Court order. The High Court had directed Haryana to remove barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala, where farmers have been protesting since February 13.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and R. Mahadevan underscored that people have the right to voice their grievances in a democracy. They suggested that the state should encourage farmers to move their tractors and agricultural equipment to appropriate places, like farms, to avoid hindrances.
During a previous hearing on July 24, the Supreme Court proposed forming an independent committee of eminent personalities to engage with the protesting farmers. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Haryana, confirmed they had started working on this as per the court’s instructions.
The Punjab government’s lawyer mentioned a phased approach to reopening the highway. The bench encouraged both states to collaborate rather than confront each other, asking them to exchange proposals for the committee and highway reopening.
Mehta argued that a state could not simply redirect farmers to the national capital and noted that the farmers did not respond to the high court’s notice. The bench reiterated the need for a smooth dialogue and asked the states to suggest names for the committee.
The court suggested including former judges with agricultural backgrounds, agricultural scientists, economists, and professors from agricultural universities in the committee. This diverse expertise would help address the farmers’ issues effectively.
An advocate raised concerns about the blockade’s impact on local residents, especially regarding access to essential services and medical facilities in Ambala. Mehta added that a phased approach is necessary to eventually open the highway.
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The bench recommended a coordination mechanism between the police of both states to ensure emergency vehicles and ambulances can access the highway. It acknowledged that efforts are being made to comply with the July 24 order to form an independent panel to engage with the farmers.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for August 12, by which time the states are expected to suggest names for the committee. The interim arrangement, including the blockade, will continue until further orders. The Haryana government had initially set up barricades in February when farmers announced a march to Delhi to support their demands.
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