PIL in Supreme Court alleges violation of farmers' rights by Centre, four states

Satya Prakash

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New Delhi, February 23

Amid the ongoing farmers’ protest demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for their crops, a PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court alleging violation of the rights of the “peacefully protesting” farmers by the Centre and four states.

“The petitioner is seeking a writ of mandamus in the interest of the farmers who are facing unfair treatment in their peaceful protests,” the petition filed by Agnostos Theos, Managing Director of the Sikh Chamber of Commerce, submitted.

The PIL wanted the top court to direct the government to consider “reasonable demands” of farmers, “ensure fair and respectful treatment to them, stop alleged violence against farmers, withdraw FIRs against them, unblock their social media accounts, remove barricades and take legal action against officials indulging in illegal acts.

The PIL also sought directions to “relevant authorities to take immediate action against those who are defaming farmers and Sikhs and hurling abuses, derogatory terms and threats, and showing dissension disrupting the communal harmony in the country.” It also demanded “adequate compensation to victim farmers and their families.”

The Centre and some states have issued “threats” and fortified the national capital’s borders, after several farmers’ unions called protests seeking legal guarantee for MSP and implementation of the Swaminathan committee’s recommendations, the PIL alleged.

“The peaceful farmers have been subject to conditions similar to terrorists by their own government, simply for the exercise of their democratic and constitutional rights,” it said, seeking directions to the Centre and states to ensure “fair and respectful treatment of the protesting farmers”, besides allowing free movement.

The petitioner accused the governments of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh of employing “aggressive and violent measures”, such as using tear gas, rubber bullets and pellets against farmers, causing them serious injuries.

The PIL sought a direction to the Centre, the four states and the National Human Rights Commission to “consider the reasonable demands of farmers…who are in continuous peaceful protest, demonstration and agitation”.

The plea sought a report about alleged human rights violations by police, besides adequate compensation for the victim farmers and their families.

Some of the protestors were forcibly arrested, detained by state governments, and the Centre has unduly invoked prohibitory measures, including blocking social media accounts, rerouting traffic and blocking roads, it submitted.

In the absence of medical aid, the injuries were aggravated and caused deaths and fortifications at Delhi’s borders created a “hostile and violent situation” as it did not allow farmers to exercise their democratic right to protest.