The farmers have been protesting against the new farm laws near Delhi border points (File)
New Delhi:
Hours after the Supreme Court put on hold three controversial farm laws and set up a committee of experts to handle negotiations, protesting farmers welcomed one half of the order and rejected the other. Farmers’ groups this evening said they would not hold discussions with or even accept the committee, which they said included members in favour of the farm laws.
“We don’t accept this committee, all the members in this committee have been pro-government and these members have been justifying the laws,” said Punjab farmers’ unions, declaring that they would amp up their protests across the country.
“We think the government is bringing this committee through the Supreme Court. The committee is just a way of divert attention.”
The groups said even if the members of committee were replaced, they would not take part in discussions with committee.
“It’s a good thing that the implementation of laws has been put on hold. It is a welcome decision but this was our right and we will accept nothing less than the repeal of farm laws,” they said.
The farmers said they would go ahead with their planned protest in Delhi on January 26, the day the national celebrates Republic Day, despite the Supreme Court’s notice. The government had expressed concern about “an embarrassment to the nation” if the protests disrupted the Republic Day parade.
“Our 26th January programme is going to be completely peaceful. There are some people spreading rumours that we are going to the Red Fort or parliament. How the march will happen will be decided after January 15. We will never tolerate violence,” said the unions.
