The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up a farmers’ group for approaching the court and continuing with the protests at the same time by blocking the national highways in Delhi-NCR and said that the protesting farmers have “strangulated” the entire city and now wants to come inside the city.
A Bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar said there was no purpose of holding protests if you come to the court. The apex court noted that protesting farmers were obstructing traffic, blocking trains and national highways and said that this “coaxing should stop”.
The Bench asked Kisan Mahapanchayat, which was seeking permission to allow to hold Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar, to file an affidavit that they were not a part of the farmers’ protest blocking the national highways by Monday.
“You want Satyagraha, no problem. But why have you approached the court? And if you have approached the court then trust the court. The challenge to three farm laws is already pending before the court then what’s the need of Satyagrah? Once you have made up your mind and approached the court then what is the need of protest? Are you protesting against the judicial system?” asked Justice Khanwilkar.
“On the one hand you have strangulated the entire city and now you want to come inside the city and protest,” the Bench further said.
“You have a right to protest, but you cannot destroy property. Are the residents happy with the protest? Have you taken permission from the residents? This business should stop. Every citizen has the right to free movement. You are obstructing security and defence personnel. This was in the media. All this should stop. There is no point in protest once you come to the court challenging the laws,” the Bencg said.
Kisan Mahapanchayat told the Bench that it was not part of the group of protesters that have blocked the roads in Delhi-NCR and also claimed that the roads were blocked by the police and not the farmers.
The apex court then asked the organisation to file an affidavit stating it was not part of the farmers’ protest blocking the national highways. The Bench posted the matter for hearing on 4 October.
Kisan Mahapanchayat, a farmers’ group, has moved the top court seeking directions to the authorities to allow it to stage peaceful and non-violent “Satyagraha” at Jantar Mantar, Delhi.
It sought direction to the Central Government, Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner of Delhi Police to provide space to at least 200 farmers or protestors at Jantar Mantar for organising a Satyagraha and not to stop them from proceeding towards Jantar Mantar.