As apex court questions stir logic, kisan outfit pulls out

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Title

As apex court questions stir logic, kisan outfit pulls out

Description

NEW DELHI: A day after Supreme Court questioned farmers over rationale behind continuing protests when the matter is sub-judice, the petitioner Kisan Mahapanchayat on Tuesday withdrew its protest till October 21 — the next date of hearing — even as the main farmers’ body opposing the farm laws, Samyukta Kisan Morcha, hardened its stand with an intent to further intensify the agitation. “In the context of the SC’s observation, we have decided to suspend our protest till October 21. The observation gave us a ray of hope that someone (in judiciary) would hear our points,” said Rampal Jat, president of the Rajasthan-based outfit. The group had been protesting at Jantar Mantar since July 5 even as it did not have permission to do so. Its members used to be detained briefly every day before they came back again at the protest site the next day following a drill of symbolic protest. It was this group’s petition which saw the SC asking farmers the reason for protests when none of the contentious farm laws were in force since January. The SKM, however, did not appear to relent. It has, in fact, intensified its protests. “The farmer movement is gaining greater momentum and intensity in states like Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal. The spontaneous protests from numerous places to express outrage and resistance against the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre of farmers showcases this,” said the Morcha in a statement.

Publisher

The Times of India

Date

2021-10-06

Coverage

India