The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) wrote to the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, asking suo motu action against farmers participating in the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march.
In his letter, SCBA president Adish Aggarwala requested the Chief Justice to take notice of “erring farmers” who travelled from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana for a large-scale demonstration in Delhi.
SCBA’s concern
He expressed worry that the demonstration might interrupt court proceedings and asked that no unfavorable decisions be issued if counsel were unable to attend owing to the agitation.
The ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, which has brought together over 200 farmers’ unions, is pressuring the Centre to accept a number of requests.
These include a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all commodities, complete debt forgiveness, farmer pensions, and the execution of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations.
In preparation for the February 13 demonstration, security measures have been tightened at Delhi’s borders, with police erecting barriers and restricting internet connections in some areas. Section 144 has been implemented at Uttar Pradesh’s borders to preserve law and order.
Multiple levels of barriers made of concertina wires, nails, and large concrete blocks and containers have been erected at the national capital’s access points. Motorists reported difficulty commuting between Delhi and NCR towns due to traffic restrictions and security measures.
Concerns expressed in the letter sent by Adhish Aggarwala
Adhish Aggarwala’s letter stated, “I am compelled to write this letter to bring to your kind notice that despite the best efforts of the Government of India to protect the interest of the farmers, some farmers are enroute to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab and are gearing up for a large-scale protest in the national capital on February 13.”
Last night, three Union Ministers met with farmers in Chandigarh, and the ministers stated that a compromise was achieved on the majority of concerns, and a formula was presented for addressing certain other issues through the creation of a committee, according to the letter.
The letter further stated, “It is suspected that this protest is politically motivated ahead of the forthcoming Parliament election.”
Even if the farmers have legitimate demands, they do not have the authority to put the general population in suffering. This is the perfect moment for the Hon’ble Supreme Court to intervene suo motu and guarantee that these farmers don’t create any disturbance or cause tremendous trouble to the general people, it said.
By refusing to accept the Government of India’s offer made during yesterday night’s meetings, the so-called farmers’ leaders have opted to relocate to Delhi, causing issues for the people of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. If they continue to demonstrate, they should do so in their own communities, according to the SCBA letter.
Issues faced by the attorneys
Needless to say, given these conditions, our attorneys, not only those who practice in the Supreme Court, but also those who practice in the Delhi High Court, other Commissions and Tribunals, and the District Courts, would have enormous obstacles to attend court hearings,” he said.
“I request Your Lordship to issue requisite instructions to all concerned not to pass any “adverse orders due to non-appearance in any matter” listed before the above-mentioned courts till there are obstacles in free movement of the public on Delhi borders due to farmers’ agitation,” Adhish Aggarwala in his letter stated.
“I further want Your Lordship to take suo motu action against the erring farmers for forcibly trying to enter Delhi in a bid to cause annoyance and disrupt the normal lives of people,” Aggarwala stated.
