Opposition parties on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the implementation of the three farm laws, but some of them expressed doubts over the neutrality of the committee formed by the top court to end the impasse over the contentious legislations.
Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the party welcomes the Supreme Court’s concern over the farm laws, but the party has issues with the composition of the committee formed by it. He said the members of the committee have already expressed their views in the past favouring the new laws “so the question arises in our minds that how justice will be done to farmers by their hands”.
While staying the laws, the top court set up a four-member committee to resolve the impasse between the Central government and the farmers’ unions protesting at Delhi’s borders over the legislations.
NCP supremo and former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar also welcomed the Supreme court’s decision to put on hold the implementation of three farm bills and set up the committee to resolve the issues.
“It is a big relief for farmers and I hope that a concrete dialogue between the Central government and farmers will be initiated now, keeping the farmers interests and wellbeing in mind,” said Pawar.
Last month, Pawar, who was the Union agriculture minister from 2004 to 2014 in the Manmohan Singh government, along with other opposition leaders including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi met President Ram Nath Kovind and sought a repeal of the three farm laws.
Echoing similar views, DMK chief M K Stalin also welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court, saying this is a victory for farmers protesting across India.
“I once again urge the Union government to commit to repealing the farm laws in the next Parliament Session,” he said.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury Tweeted : Can anyone expect the protesting farmers demanding repeal of Agri Laws to talk to such a committee?
Why should they?
Farmers are left with no other option than to boycott this committee?, the left leader mentioned.
Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi asked “Should not farm laws after SC stay now move to Parliament Standing Committee of Parliamentarians where various stakeholders from farm sector can be heard. “That’s what the constitution mandates. There’s a clear separation of role of judiciary, executive and legislative,” said Chaturvedi. Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP are alliance partners in the Uddhav Thackeray led Maharashtra government.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambram said the concern expressed by the Supreme Court over the farmers’ protests is “justified and welcome in the situation created by a stubborn Government”.
“The decision to form a Committee to help find a solution is well-intentioned. However, the composition of the four member committee is puzzling and sends contradictory signals,” he said on Twitter.
