New Delhi, 09 Dec 2024, ANN

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking directions to the Centre and other authorities to remove blockades on highways in Punjab where farmers are staging protests.

A bench led by Justice Surya Kant heard the plea filed by Gaurav Luthra, a social activist from Punjab, who urged the court to ensure that national highways and railway tracks remain unblocked.

Rejecting the petition, the bench stated, “We are already examining the larger issue. You are not the only conscience keeper of society. Don’t file repetitive petitions. Some are filing for publicity interest and some are filing to play to the gallery.”

The farmers protests, organized under banners such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have seen highways blocked by the police at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana to prevent farmers from coming to Delhi. Their attempts to march to Delhi on December 6 and December 8 were also thwarted by security forces using tear gas.

The petition highlighted the long-standing blockade of the Shambhu border and the more recent statewide highway blockages on October 24, 2024. It argued that these disruptions threaten national security by hindering army movements toward northern borders and violate citizens’ fundamental right to free movement. It also alleged foreign interference aiming to destabilize Punjab, described as the backbone of the country.

The plea emphasized the hardships faced by citizens, including delays in reaching hospitals during medical emergencies due to blocked ambulances and restricted highway access. However, the Supreme Court maintained its stance against entertaining repetitive petitions on the matter.
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