Amidst the growing criticism to the committee elected by the Supreme Court for resolving the farm laws issue that has come to a standstill despite several rounds of talks, the apex court thrashed the critics saying the panel formed is to provide their feedback to the court as in no way the members hold the authority to take a decision on the front.
It questioned the criticizers as to where the subject of partiality comes in when the committee isn’t entitled to do anything except furnishing the report.
The statement came in today in which Chief Justice SA Bobde said, “We gave (the committee the) power to hear everyone and submit the report to us. Where is the question of bias? (There is) no need to brand people and malign them, and on top of it cast aspersion on (the) court.”
Moreover, the SC also told the Centre to look into a petition that sought the reformation of the panel of experts.
Placing a temporary hold on the implementation of the contentious farm laws, the top court last week had announced the committee that will be working towards negotiating with the stakeholders after tens of thousands of farmers remained firm on their stance to repeal the laws while protesting in the national capital.
However, the offer wasn’t accepted by farmers as they said the panel members are pro-farm laws already.
Opposition parties like the Congress, Akali Dal and several protestors shared the opinion that the 4 committee members had previously given their support to the farm laws as they spoke in its favour, indicating that they are likely to incline towards it again, now when they have been given the task.
Farmers’ union Kisan Mahapanchayat said during the court hearing today that Bhupinder Singh Mann, Union President of Bhartiya Kisan Union and a member of the committee stepped away from the role last week.
“You unthinkingly cast aspersions. Someone expressed opinion… he becomes disqualified? (Bhupinder Singh) Mann had asked for (the) modification of laws… you are saying he is for laws,” Chief Justice SA Bobde said while underlining that the experts “are brilliant minds in the agricultural field”.
“You cannot brand people like this. People should have an opinion. Even the best judges have a certain opinion even they delivered judgements on the other side,” the Chief Justice added.
The court said, “We entertained the issue in the interest of public and farmers. 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.”
The panel of members includes Ashok Gulati, agricultural economist and former chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, Pramod Kumar Joshi, an agricultural economist and Anil Ghanwat, head of Shetkari Sanghatana, apart from Bhupinder Mann. Yesterday marked the first official meeting of the committee since its formation.
