The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a petition on Monday that seeks the reopening of key highways, including the Shambhu border, which have been blocked by protesting farmers. The petition, which is to be heard by a bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuiyan, demands the removal of farmers from the highway, urging both the Punjab and Haryana governments and the Union government to take action.
Here are the key details surrounding the petition and the situation:
- The petition calls for instructions to be issued to the Punjab and Haryana governments as well as the Union government to take steps to remove the protesting farmers blocking the Shambhu border and other highways. It also seeks an order for the farmers to maintain law and order during their protests.
- The petition argues that blocking highways in such a manner is a violation of the fundamental rights of the public and is against the law. It cites the National Highway Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, stating that blocking public roads is a crime. Legal action, the petition suggests, should be initiated against those blocking the highways.
- On Sunday, farmers had postponed their planned march to Delhi after facing opposition from the Haryana police, who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them at the Shambhu border. The farmers have indicated they will announce their next course of action after taking stock of the situation.
- The Shambhu border has witnessed recurring protests from farmers, who are demanding legal guarantees for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops, among other issues. The farmers had renewed their protests earlier this year, echoing the historic 2020 anti-farm laws protests.
- The Haryana government had closed the Shambhu border in February 2024 to prevent farmers from marching towards Delhi, an action that has continued to disrupt the region. The repeated closures have caused major inconveniences for both Haryana residents and commuters.
- Union Minister and former Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar recently criticized the blockade, referring to it as a “big problem” and accusing those on the Punjab side of the border of not being genuine farmers. Khattar suggested they were rather individuals intent on destabilizing elected governments.
- Earlier this year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued orders for the state government to remove the barricades at the Shambhu border. However, this matter remains pending in the Supreme Court.
The ongoing protests and their impact on transportation in the region have been a point of concern for both local authorities and citizens. The hearing in the Supreme Court today could pave the way for a resolution to this long-standing issue.
As the case continues, both farmers and government officials are waiting for a judicial intervention to address the legal, logistical, and political complexities surrounding the protests at Shambhu.
Sources By Agencies
