India's Supreme Court calls for independent committee amidst ‘deep trust deficit’ in farmers’ protests

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court highlighted the “deep trust deficit” among the central government, state governments, and farmers. It recommended forming an independent committee to tackle the farmers’ demands, including a legal assurance for minimum support prices (MSP) for crops.

A bench led by Justice Surya Kant instructed the Central and the Haryana and Punjab state governments to propose names for this committee. Additionally, it ordered a one-week status quo on the Shambhu border near Ambala, where farmers have been stationed since February 13, and which has been closed off.

“We have impressed upon the parties to have instructions regarding the constitution of an independent committee, comprising such eminent persons who can reach out to farmers and other stakeholders, in order to find out viable solution to their demands that can be fair, just and in the interests of one and all. The states of Punjab and Haryana can suggest some names or else they can leave it to us to find out some suitable persons,” the court order said.

“You have to take some initiatives to reach out to farmers. Why would they otherwise want to come to Delhi or agitate? You are sending ministers from here and despite their best intentions there is a trust deficit. They will think you are only thinking about self-interests and ignoring local issues,” the bench told solicitor general Tushar Mehta.

The Supreme Court was reviewing a plea from the Haryana government, which contested a March 7 ruling by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The High Court had established a committee led by a former judge to investigate the death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh during a February confrontation between protesting farmers and Haryana security forces.

The Supreme Court had previously declined to block the High Court’s decision on April 1. Recently, the Haryana government submitted another petition challenging the Punjab and Haryana HC’s July 10 ruling, which mandated that the highway be reopened within a week.

In February, the Haryana government erected barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway in response to a planned march by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The march was intended to advocate for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops.

“As a welfare state, you have to make efforts. Some of the demands could be genuine, some may not be acceptable. Some neutral persons, who could communicate when they are wrong and when they are right, are needed,” court said.

“You also can’t block a national block for all times to come. It’s been almost a year. Various high court orders have said you can’t block national highways...it’s a case of deep trust deficit,” the court added.

The court, however, stressed the need for dialogue and mutual trust in resolving contentious issues. “We do not want a fight between Punjab and Haryana... We are proposing a committee to reach out to farmers with consensus of states and the Union of India...to talk to them, get their viewpoints, know and tell them where they are right and wrong,” it said.

Farmers vow to march to Delhi after meeting Rahul Gandhi at Parliament

Farmers protesting for changes to the MSP (minimum support price) policy met with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament complex on Wednesday morning.

"Rahul Gandhi will raise the voice of farmers inside Parliament," Amrinder Singh Raja Warring told NDTV. Regarding the farmers' potential plan for another march to Delhi, he stated, "They have all rights to come to Delhi and protest (and) if a private member's bill is required then we will bring that too."

Farmer representative Jagjit Singh Dallewal expressed disappointment in the government's unfulfilled promises. "Swaminathan report implementation is a must. We will continue our march towards Delhi," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)