Farmers Movement Archive

Haryana wants 43 farm leaders made party to PIL on road blockades

Tribune News ServiceNew Delhi, October 3Ahead of Monday’s hearing on a PIL seeking removal of blockades at key roads connecting Delhi to NCR by farmers demanding repeal of farm laws, the Haryana Government has moved the Supreme Court to make 43 officer-bearers of farmers’ organisations party to it.In an application filed in the top court, the Haryana Government has sought to implead farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait, Yogendra Yadav, Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh and others to the ongoing proceedings.Maintaining that the dharna on Singhu and Tikri borders was being organised by Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the government said the names of parties mentioned in its plea were those of the office-bearer/workers of various farmer unions.Hearing in SC todayThe Haryana Government said the names of parties mentioned in its plea were those of the office-bearers and workers of various farmer unionsIn an application filed in the SC, the Haryana Govt has sought to implead farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait, Yogendra Yadav, Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh and others to the ongoing proceedingsThe top court is hearing a petition filed by Monicca Agarwal, a women resident of Noida. Agarwal, a single parent with some medical issues, alleged that due to blockades enforced by agitating farmers, travelling between Noida and Delhi was taking two hours instead of the usual 20 minutes and that it had become a nightmare to commute between Noida and Delhi.Earlier, in an affidavit filed in the top court, the Haryana Government had said it was making “sincere” efforts to remove the blockade for resumption of free flow of traffic. The UP Government had also filed a similar affidavit stating that it was making all efforts to convince farmers that their act of blocking roads was causing grave inconvenience to commuters.The Haryana Government said a state-level committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary was formed to find a way out. The panel’s September 19 meeting wasn’t attended by the farmers’ leaders.As farmers continued to block key roads connecting Delhi to NCR, the Supreme Court had on September 30 wondered how highways could be blocked perpetually and made it clear that it was the duty of the executive to implement the law laid down by it.“The redressal of problems can be through judicial forum, agitation or through parliamentary debates. But how can the highways be blocked and this is happening perpetually. Where does this end?” a Bench led by Justice SK Kaul had asked.On October 1, another Bench of the top court had questioned the rationale behind blocking roads even after approaching the judiciary and reminded the agitating farmers that citizens had equal rights to move freely without fear.

The Tribune

2021-10-04