National President of Bharatiya Kisan Union, Bhupinder Singh Mann, one of the four members of the Committee constituted by Supreme Court to hold talks with protesting farmers has recused from the committee.
“I am recusing myself from the committee and I will always stand with my farmers and Punjab”.
Bhupinder Singh Mann stated in his press statement that there are “prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst the farm unions and public in general”. “I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me so as not to compromise the interests of Punjab and farmers of the country.”
The committee which was set up by Supreme Court Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI), SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian also comprises, Dr. Pramod Kumar Joshi, Ashok Gulati (Agricultural Economist) and Anil Ghanwat (President of Shetkari Sanghatana).
Case Background
The Supreme Court of India had “stayed the implementation of three farm laws until further orders” and has decided to form a committee to solve the deadlock between the protesting farmers and the central government.
The CJI said, “We are forming a committee so that we have a clearer picture. We don’t want to hear arguments that farmers will not go to the committee. We are looking to solve the problem.”
CJI bobde further observed, “We are concerned about validity of the laws and also about protecting life and property of citizens affected by Farmers protest. We are trying to solve the problem in accordance with the powers we have. One of the powers we have is to suspend the legislation and make a committee.”
The three farm laws, Farmers (Empowerment & Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance & Farm Services Act 2020, Farmers Produce Trade & Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Act & Amendment to Essential Commodities Act were established before the Court as illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional.
It was said that these farm laws would dismantle the Agriculture Produce Market Committee system intended to ensure fair prices for farm products.
“They will pave the way for cartelization and commercialization of agriculture produced and if allowed to stand will completely ruin our country as the corporates can, with one stroke, export our agriculture produce without any regulation,” one of the petitioners of Farmers protest have submitted.
It has also been contended that the farm laws passed are “unconstitutional” and “anti-farmer.”
Read the statement here:
