New Delhi: In the backdrop of Lakhimpur violence in Uttar Pradesh that resulted in 8 deaths, the Supreme Court has questioned the validity of the protests being held by the farmers. In a strongly-worded statement, an SC bench asked why the farmers were protesting against the farm laws when the same has been challenged in the court.
The apex court made this observation on Monday while hearing a plea filed by the Kisan Mahapanchayat, seeking permission to protest at Jantar Mantar against the three farm laws. The Bench, comprising of Justices AM Khanwilkar and CT Ravikumar, questioned the need to protest against a particular matter if it was already sub-judice.
"Protests must be stopped," bemoaned Attorney General KK Venugopal, opposing the petition. Referring to the events of the Lakhimpur protest, the AG said, "The events that took place in Lakhimpur Kheri yesterday... Eight died. Protests cannot happen like this,"
"A large number of petitions (against the three farm laws) have been filed. Unfortunate event happened at Lakhimpur Kheri. Such incidents should not happen. The protests must stop..", Venugopal told the bench.
Also read: Eight killed and several injured in Lakhimpur Kheri clash
Eight people were killed while several injured after a car allegedly ran over protesting farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri area. The protestors had gathered to take out a protest demonstration against UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya who was scheduled to visit Lakhimpur Keri on Sunday.
The protestors alleged that the protesting farmers were run over by a car in the minister's convoy driven by his son.
The top court has deferred the case for further hearing to October 21, where the court will decide whether the right to protest is absolute.
Clearing the air regarding the petition filed by the Kisan Mahapanchayat in the SC, Social activist Yogendra Yadav, a member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, said that both organisations were different and the SKM had nothing to do with the Kisan Mahapanchayat or the petition filed by them. Yadav said that the observations made by the court were in the context of the Kisan Mahapanchayat and had no connection with the SKM or the other farmer's associations protesting against the farm laws on Delhi borders.
Reacting to the court's comments about putting the protests on hold while it decides on the constitutional validity of the laws, Yadav said that although they have not gone to court in the matter, a case filed against the laws last year is yet to be heard by the court.
