The validity of farm laws will have to wait: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court, while hearing a bunch of petitions for and against the farmer protests on Thursday, said that the validity of the controversial farm laws could be assessed later. The Supreme Court added that non-violent protest which does not harm the life or property could continue. Chief Justice Bobde clarified that the court will not decide on the number of farmers who could protest and would leave that to the police.

In its comments, the apex court noted that protests must not deter the fundamental rights or life of others and warned against the use of violence. It further added that to achieve the goals of the protests, both parties must engage.

"We are saying it to you. You have a right to protest. We are not going to interfere. You carry on protests. Your protest has a purpose, and that must be fulfilled by talking to someone. You simply cannot sit on protest for years," the court said. The court added that it understands the conditions of the farmers and extended its sympathies.

P Chidambaram, who represented the Punjab Government, backed the court's decision to form a committee to discuss the laws. Chidambaram explained that the farmers had marched to Delhi and it was the police who blocked them on road.

Additionally, Delhi government advocate Rahul Mehra condemned Harish Salve, a senior advocate from the BJP, for being part of the case by representing a Delhi resident.