The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that it will not pass an order against the farmers’ proposed tractor rally on Republic Day citing that it is the police that must decide on these matters. On another plea demanding to reconstitute the four-member panel formed by it to resolve the deadlock, which the SC has refused.
A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde and comprising Justices LN Rao and Vineet Saran said at the start of the hearing that it will not pass any order on the Centre's petition against the proposed tractor rally or any other kind of protest by farmers on Republic Day since it is the police who has to decide.
"We see it as irregular and improper to allow or disallow any rally or procession. The norm is it is a police matter. The police decide it. We are not going to pass the order," a Supreme Court bench said today.
The Centre had earlier told the court that the tractor rally on Republic Day will be an embarrassment for the nation.
Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who is representing eight farmer unions, informed the court that farmers only want to celebrate Republic Day on Outer Ring Road in Delhi peacefully. There's no attempt to destroy peace, he added.
"Please assure the citizens of Delhi of peace. As a court, we are expressing our anxiety, the CJI responded.
'Don't cast aspersions on the committee': SC
An advocate appearing for the Kisan Mahapanchayat told the Supreme Court that an appeal has been filed on their behalf to reconstitute the four-member committee after one member had refused to be part of the panel.
The court slammed the criticism and said that the committee has no authority to decide on the legislation. The court also expressed displeasure over accusations being formed on the members of the committee. It said, "Where is the question of bias in this? We have not given adjudicating power to the committee. We have appointed experts in the committee as we are not experts.”
"We gave power to the committee to listen (to farmers) and come to us and file their reports," the CJI stated.
The court said that the committee will not be reconstituted and the notice was sent only concerning the filling of the vacancy created after a member left the committee.
The CJI observed that a person can have an opinion before being a part of a panel but it can change later. "You cannot brand people like this. People should have an opinion. Even the best judges have a certain opinion even if they delivered judgements on the other side," the Chief Justice added.
The issue was addressed in the interest of the public and farmers, said the top court, and told the farmers that, “If you do not want to appear, don't appear. Do not brand people. We are finding a solution to this problem. Public opinion is important and it will not determine the outcome.”
No plan to obstruct Republic Day celebrations: Farmers
Kisan Union leader Kalwant Singh Sandhu today said a group of farmer leaders will be meeting Delhi police officials over the intended tractor rally.
Also Read: ‘Opinions can change’, says CJI Bobde over members of SC appointed farm laws committee controversy
Another farmer leader ensured that their rally will not obstruct the Republic Day parade. Gurnam Singh Chaduni, of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, said, “We've told them that we'll hold a tractor march at Ring Road, they should accept it. We'll have further information after the meet but they won't face any disturbance due to it.”
The 10th round of talks between the farmers and the government is undergoing today on the three contentions farm laws.