The Centre is misusing SC as a political shield: AIKSCC

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The Supreme Court does not and cannot have any role in resolving the political deadlock over “anti-farmers” laws enacted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under pressure from corporates led by Ambani and Adani, said the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) on January 10, 2021.

The farmers organisation said the government was showcasing its “all-round failure” in solving farmers’ problems and misusing the Supreme Court as a “political shield.”

“It is a political choice made by BJP against the interests of farmers. Farmers are opposing these laws all over India. BJP leadership is displaying cowardice in opposing the diktats of corporate houses,” it said in a press release.

Farmer leaders said that farmers surrounding Delhi will tell the BJP-led government and the Parliament that it has passed wrong laws – the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

Members said that the laws will uproot farmers, change the farming pattern, decrease food security, farmer indebtedness, will lead to more suicides and hunger deaths and will destroy water, forest and ecological balance.

They said that while Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar claimed support of majority of farmers for the three Acts, the government failed to rally even a handful of farmers in support.

On Sunday, a pro-farm laws rally was to be held at Kaimla village in Karnal but was called off due to opposition from farmers.

“Haryana Chief Minister M. L. Khattar had to go back without landing his helicopter. Farmers protesting the laws took over the dias and police mercilessly used water cannons and baton charge to disperse them,” said the AIKSCC.

Similarly, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh police enforced massive police restrictions on peaceful protests, said leaders. Etah police put leaders of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Union under house arrest to stop their padyatra to Delhi.

“Farmers going to Delhi protest were stopped from boarding trains. Cases of violation of section 144 and Covid-19 restrictions are being foisted without restraint,” said the AIKSCC.

During all this, the West Bengal government boasts about granting an MSP for paddy of Rs 1,868 per quintal even though paddy sells at Rs 1,000 to 1100 per quintal. Leaders said that the Centre has made no provision for procurement in these states.