Supreme Court says farmers have right to protest, suggests Centre to put farm laws on hold

The Supreme Court today acknowledged the right of farmers to non-violent protests and suggested the Centre to put on hold the implementation of three contentious farm laws as it was thinking of setting up an “impartial and independent” panel of agriculture experts and farmer unions to resolve the impasse.

The top court was also of the view that the farmers’ right to protest should not infringe the fundamental rights of others to move freely and in getting essential food and other supplies as the right to protest cannot mean blockade of the entire city, PTI reported. 

The court has issued notice to the Centre as well as the Delhi, Punjab and Haryana governments and said they will have to respond by tomorrow before winter vacation begins.