Kisan movement: Thousands of volunteers sign up ahead of R-Day protest // Supreme Court may stay the controversial agricultural laws

By Dilip -

As part of preparations for a large protest on Republic Day during which farmers would bring their tractors into the capital, farm unions are carrying out a mass recruitment drive in villages across Punjab. Over the last two days, thousands have signed up. Farmer unions had earlier announced they would march to the capital on January 26 if their demands to repeal the farm laws are not met. Rajinder Singh, vice-president, Kirti Kisan Union Punjab, said: “We began the drive last Friday and it has received a good response. This is being done so that our movement is well organised . We will note down details of all volunteers who will travel to Singhu ahead of Republic Day. We are expecting lakhs of people from Punjab to turn up…” 

The drive is being held in rural areas of the state, where union members are carrying out awareness programmes for the upcoming event. Meetings are also being held with local panchayats to garner support from locals…


Hearing a clutch of petitions challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders, the Supreme Court Monday said it was disappointed with the way negotiations between the government and the farmers have progressed and said it will pass an order on the matter today or tomorrow.

The apex court asked the Centre to stay the laws till a committee constituted by it discusses the same and submits a report. “Let those farmer unions who say it is progressive say that before the committee. But you have to tell us whether you stay the farm acts or we do it. Keep it in abeyance. What is the issue?? We are not in favour of easily staying a law but we want to say don’t implement the law,” the top court said.

The bench comprising of CJI Bobde Bobde and Justices V Ramasubramanian and A S Bopanna further said, “Some people have committed suicide, old people and women are a part of the agitation. What is happening?”  The bench added that not a single plea has been filed that said that the “farm laws are good.” The apex court has suggested names of former CJIs including RM Lodha to head panel for exploring the possibility of a solution over farm laws protests. The bench said it will pass orders on the issue in parts...


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