In a significant development, Bhupinder Singh Mann, one of the four members of the committee appointed by the Supreme Court for the purpose of listening to the grievances of the farmers about the farm laws has recused himself.
In his statement, Mann said in view of the prevailing sentiments and apprehension among the farmers’ unions and the public in general, he, as a farmer himself and a union leader, was ready to sacrifice any position that was offered to him so as to not compromise the interests of Punjab and the farmers of the country.
S. Bhupinder Singh Mann Ex MP and National President of BKU and Chairman of All India Kisan Coordination Committee has recused himself from the 4 member committee constituted by Hon'ble Supreme Court pic.twitter.com/pHZhKXcVdT
— Bhartiya Kisan Union (@BKU_KisanUnion) January 14, 2021
Minutes after the Supreme Court made the names of the committee members public, a controversy broke out as the members’ views in support of the farm laws are already available in the public domain.
The other three members on the committee are Parmod Kumar Joshi, Ashok Gulati and Anil Ghanwat.
Farmers’ unions from Punjab have announced that they do not accept the court-appointed committee.
Also Read: SC stays implementation of 3 farm laws; forms Committee; says stay order may assuage the hurt feelings of the farmers
“All the members in this committee have been pro-government and these members have been justifying the laws,” the Punjab farmers’ unions said, declaring that they would amp up their protests across the country.
While the protesting farmers have been demanding a total scrapping of the farm laws, the four members have already expressed their views in support of the law subject to some amendments.
The Head of All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), Bhupinder Singh Mann, has, in fact, been demanding the implementation of the farm laws. Last month, a group of farmers led by Mann handed over a memorandum to Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in Krishi Bhawan demanding that the three laws be implemented, with some amendments.
