'Don't lecture us on patience': CJI's top 5 observations on farm laws

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday appeared determined on staying the implementation of the three farm laws, and during the hearing, made many critical observations on Centre's inability to settle the issue through negotiations with protesting farmers staying put at various Delhi borders.

Here are five of the CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde critical observations during the hearing.

1."We don't know whether you are part of the solution or the problem. There is not a single petition filed here which says the laws are beneficial," the Chief Justice said as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta attempted to make some submissions insisting on the implementation of the farm laws.

2. "All of us have a heavy responsibility to ensure things don't go wrong. We don't want blood of any one on our hands," the Chief Justice said, underscoring that any stray incident in the peaceful protest can lead it to the opposite direction, which may lead to loss of life and property.

3. "Sorry to say, we are because you, as the Union of India, did not take responsibility. You were not able to solve the problem... You should have been able to solve the strike, but you did not," the CJI said as the Attorney General, reacting to his statement: " We will stay implementation if the Centre doesn't do it", said the court may be on the brink of a drastic decision.

4. "Right to protest is intact. Right to protest should be exercised like Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha. Do it peacefully," the Chief Justice said, while declining to entertain Centre's arguments on the course of evolution of farm laws in the previous governments, on the grounds that they cannot blame the previous governments.

5. "... we are disappointed in the way you're handling this situation. States are up in rebellion against you," CJI Bobde told the government, stressing that the ongoing farmers' protest is a delicate matter. Meanwhile, ahead of its protest on January 15 against the farm laws, the Congress has reached out to opposition parties to devise a joint strategy to press the demand for the withdrawal of the legislations.

Interim President Sonia Gandhi has sought support from like-minded parties on the ongoing agitation by the farmers, sources said. According to the sources, she spoke to NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, and CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, and they, in turn, are likely to speak other opposition party leaders to mobilise support. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday flayed the BJP-led central government and said the way it is being insensitive towards farmers and showing a defiant attitude is a direct insult to the 'Annadata' (farmers).

The Congress welcomed the Supreme Court's observations on the three farm laws while hearing a bunch of petitions, and demanded that the government should repeal the contentious laws.

Speaking to IANS over phone, Congress Lok Sabha MP and former Union minister Manish Tewari said, "The Supreme Court should stay the operation of these farm laws and hear the constitutionality of these laws on a daily basis."

He said that the Supreme Court should do this because this impacts 65 per cent of the population of the country.