While welcoming the Supreme Court’s outburst against the Center, unions representing protesting farmers rejected the idea of a committee to solve the problem and reiterated their demand to repeal the farm laws, not simply suspend them.
On Monday, the supreme court indicated that it could suspend the implementation of the new laws and proposed the creation of a committee.
Hours after the court proceedings, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, a joint forum of agricultural unions, issued a statement that read: “… we inform (our lawyers) that we do not unanimously agree to appear before any committee that may be appointed by the SC due to the stubborn attitude of the government ”.
The communiqué also reiterated that “all the peasant organizations that lead the fight against the agricultural laws are unanimous in their decision that the laws should be repealed.”
Dr. Darshan Pal, Morcha coordinator and president of Krantikari Kisan Union, Punjab, said that farmers will not participate in any proceedings before a committee that may be appointed by the Supreme Court. “The issue is between us and the government; we don’t want to prolong it, ”he said.
Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Chairman of BKU Ugrahan, Punjab’s largest farmers union, told The Indian Express: “Our demand is the repeal of the laws; not just a stay in them. We appreciate the Supreme Court hearing in which they have snubbed the Center for not solving the problem so far. We take it as a badge of honor for our continued struggle. However, we do not accept the idea of establishing a committee to solve the problem … We hope that the SC will take into account the public interest and direct the Center to repeal these laws ”.
Ruldu Singh, President of Punjab Kisan Union, said: “If the SC can suspend the agricultural laws, they can order the Center to repeal them as well. We respect the court, but we will not back down if the laws are not repealed … If the court can see the public’s feelings, they should speak to the Center and ask them to repeal the laws. “
Prem Singh Bhangu, President of All India Kisan Federation (Punjab unit), which is part of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, said: “We continue to comply with our demand for repeal of the laws. A suspension (of the laws) was never our demand and therefore our fight will continue until the laws are repealed. “
Jagmohan Singh Patiala, All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordinating Committee (AIKSCC) member said: “We will discuss the hearing with our attorneys as this hearing will continue until Tuesday. However, one thing is clear: we want the laws to be repealed, and nothing less. What if this suspension is canceled even before reaching Punjab? “
Prem Singh Gehlawat from All India Kisan Federation (Haryana unit) said: “We welcome the SC audience where they have criticized the Center. Our single point demand is the repeal of the laws, as we do not trust the Union government. Complying with the laws is a temporary measure. In the first place, we never wanted these laws. “
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