Based on an open letter written by students of Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University, the Supreme Court has registered a suomotu case to examine alleged attacks on farmers by police and paramilitary forces protesting against the newly introduced Farm Laws at the Delhi borders.
After nearly two months of peaceful protests in their home states,the farmers were forced to march to Delhi and did not yield any results. They were thrashed by police at the Delhi borders, the letter stated.
The students claimed that government and biased media outlets are painting the protestors as separatists instead of addressing the problems of farmers.
The letter has sought an inquiry into the use of water cannons, tear gas shells and lathis attacks on farmers by the Haryana Police and has also prayed for directions to be issued to the Haryana and Delhi Police to withdraw all cases against farmers.
It is pertinent to note here that the Supreme Court in an earlier petition seeking to remove the protesting farmers from the border due to inconvenience to the public had passed an order stating that the protesting farmers have a right to continue protests peacefully. The court had said that“Indeed the right to protest is part of a fundamental right and can as a matter of fact, be exercised subject to public order. We are of the view at this stage that the farmers’ protest should be allowed to continue without impediment and without any breach of peace either by the protesters or the police”.
An inclination to constitute an independent committee to review the situation of attacks on farmers and removing the stalemate around these laws has also been expressed by the apex court.
