The Supreme Court of India on Friday slammed the farmers’ bodies for disrupting the movement around Delhi-NCR after they blocked highways to protest against the new Central farm laws, reported PTI. The apex court’s remarks came in response to an appeal filed by farmers’ bodies to hold a ‘satyagraha’ at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

“You have strangulated the entire city and now you want to come inside and start protest here again,” said the Supreme Court on the appeal.

The court further said that there’s no point in protesting when the matter related to farm laws has already been moved to court.

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“What was the point in continuing with the protest once it has moved the court challenging the farm laws, the apex court asked the farmers’ body, and said the citizens have equal rights to move freely and without fear and there has to be some balanced approach, added the court.

The SC bench, which consists of judges justices A M Khanwilkar and C T Ravikumar, asked the farmers if they had consulted the residents living in the area and whether or not they are happy with the protest.

The court also asked the farmers’ leaders to trust the judicial system of India.

“Tell us one thing, you want ‘Satyagrah’ here, no difficulty. But you have approached the court. Once you have approached the court, have trust in the court and the judicial system that it will decide your case appropriately,” the bench said.

“Your issue is only that repeal those three laws. You have filed a writ petition before the high court. Once you have made up your mind and have approached the court and having done that, thereafter you cannot say that you will continue with the protest. What is the purpose of this,” the bench asked.

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The top court was hearing a petition filed by ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’, a body of farmers and agriculturists, and its president seeking directions to the concerned authorities to provide space to at least 200 farmers or protestors of the body at the Jantar Mantar for organising peaceful and non-violent ‘Satyagraha’.

Several farmer organisations are protesting against the passage of three laws — The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.