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The Supreme Court of India, recognizing the importance of addressing the grievances of protesting farmers without politicization, has established a high-powered committee to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing protests at the Shambhu border. This committee, headed by former Punjab and Haryana high court judge Justice Nawab Singh, comprises a distinguished group of experts, including retired IPS officer PS Sandhu, Devender Sharma, professor Ranjit Singh Ghuman, and Sukhpal Singh, an agricultural economist from the Punjab Agricultural University.
The court, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution, has directed the committee to hold its initial meeting within a week. The panel is tasked with engaging with the agitating farmers to encourage them to remove their tractors and trolleys from the Shambhu border, easing the burden on commuters. Both the Punjab and Haryana governments are permitted to offer suggestions to the committee, fostering a collaborative approach to finding solutions.
The court's directive extends to the protesting farmers, urging them to maintain a safe distance from political parties and refrain from pressing demands deemed infeasible. The court, recognizing the validity of the farmers' concerns, has underscored the importance of addressing them in a phased manner and without political manipulation. Farmers have been given the option to shift their peaceful agitations to alternative sites, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest.
The formation of this committee stems from the Haryana government's appeal to the Supreme Court, challenging the high court's order mandating the removal of barricades erected at the Shambhu border. These barricades were established in February after the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announced plans for farmers to march to Delhi in support of their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) for their produce.
The Supreme Court's proactive approach reflects its commitment to ensuring a peaceful and just resolution to the farmers' grievances. By establishing this committee, the court aims to foster dialogue, address concerns, and enable a constructive path forward for both the farmers and the government, ensuring the well-being of all involved.
Source: Shambhu border: SC sets up committee to resolve grievances of protesting farmers