Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court made remarks on Tuesday regarding the ongoing farmers' protest, emphasizing the importance of resolving the issue amicably and urging that the use of force should be the last resort.
A bench comprising Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji heard two petitions concerning the farmers' protest at the borders of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. One of the petitions challenged the decision of the Haryana government to block roads, preventing protesters from entering Delhi, while the other argued that the farmers' blockade of national highways was causing inconvenience to the public and disrupting daily operations.
The court acknowledged the protesters' fundamental right to expression but also highlighted the state government's duty to protect its citizens and ensure minimal inconvenience to them. "It is essential to strike a balance in the fundamental right to speech and expression. None of these rights exist in isolation. Caution should be exercised, and efforts should be made to resolve the issue amicably. All parties involved in the dispute should come together to find a solution, and suitable protest sites should be identified by the states," remarked the bench.
Various farmers' associations, predominantly from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, called for a protest on February 13 to demand legislation guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP). On Tuesday morning, farmers began their journey towards the national capital from different villages of Punjab and Haryana on tractor-trolleys, equipped with dry rations, waterproof sheets, and mattresses. The court also issued notices to the Centre and the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, directing them to designate protest sites. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 15.
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