SC to decide whether farmers' call for the right to protest is absolute
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday raised the question as to whether those against the Centre's farm laws can claim the right to protest after they have approached the courts challenging the laws (Kisan Mahapanchayat v. Union of India).
The court was hearing a plea by the farmers' union to hold protests at Jantar Mantar.
The apex court asked the Kisan Mahapanchayat what it was protesting against when the three farm laws are not in force and have been stayed by the court, reported The Indian Express.
Justice Khanwilkar said: "It's still intriguing. There is no Act in place at the moment. It is stayed by the court. The government has assured them they will not give effect to it. The protest is for what?"
Justice A M Khanwilkar stated that it will examine whether someone who has already approached a Constitutional court seeking remedy has an absolute right to simultaneously protest on the streets on the same issue.
The court had earlier asked the farmers outfit to file an affidavit stating that it is not part of the protests blocking the highways. The farmer outfit advocate Ajay Choudhary declared that they have "parted ways from other bodies after the 26th January incident".
The court raised the question if the outfit is seeking the court's help, then why the protests are ongoing? The bench sought Attorney General K K Venugopal assistance, and he stated that "You can't arrive at two houses at the same time. He has chosen his forum".
He also urged the Supreme Court bench to make it clear that the farmers' outfit cannot continue the protests. He pointed out the Lakhimpur incident and said: "unfortunate incidents happen".
The outfit had also filed a plea before the Rajasthan High Court challenging the same laws. The apex court said it will transfer the HC matter to itself and hear it.
