New Delhi: In a strong message to protesting farmers, the Supreme Court on Thursday observed that redressal for grievances can be sought through judicial forum, agitation or parliamentary debates, but not by blocking highways perpetually.
Hearing a petition seeking removal of road blockades along the borders of Delhi, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and MM Sundresh said: “The redressal of problems can be through judicial forum, agitation or through Parliamentary debates. But how can the highways be blocked and this is happening perpetually. Where does this end?”
Thousands of farmers have been agitating at different points of Delhi’s border since last November, seeking withdrawal of the three agriculture laws.
The two-judge bench stated that it was the executive’s duty to implement the law laid down by the court.
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The apex court allowed the Union government to file an application to make some farmer unions party to the plea seeking removal of road blockades along the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border at UP Gate.
The court set October 4 as the next date of hearing, when the application is filed.
Noida resident Monica Agrawaal had filed the petition stating that it was taking 2 hours to reach Delhi from the area, a stretch that could be covered in 20 minutes before the stir began.
“We may lay down a law but how to implement the law is your business. The court cannot implement it. It is the executive who has to implement it,” the court said.
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“When we lay down the law, you will say it is encroachment and we trespassed into the domain of the executive. This has ramifications but there are also grievances which need to be addressed. This cannot be a perpetual problem,” the bench added.
On August 23, the top court had said that the Centre and Delhi’s neighbouring states should find a solution to road blockades on the national capital’s borders due to farmers’ protest.
