[BREAKING] Farmers' protests should be allowed to continue without impediment, breach of peace: Supreme Court

Farmers’ protests at the border areas of Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) should be allowed to continue without impediment and without any breach of peace either by the protesters or the police, the Supreme Court made it clear on Thursday. . A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said that there can be no impediment to the rights of farmers to protest as long as it is non-violent and does not result in damage to life and properties of other citizens. ."Indeed the right to protest is part of a fundamental right and can as a matter of fact, be exercised subject to public order. We are of the view at this stage that the farmers’ protest should be allowed to continue without impediment and without any breach of peace either by the protesters or the police," the Court said in its order. .The order which was published on the Supreme Court website late in the evening, also said that the apex court is proposing to constitute a committee comprising independent persons and agricultural experts to find a solution to the stalemate. For the same, all stakeholders will have to be heard, the Court added. "In order to bring about an effective solution to the present stalemate between the protesters and the Government of India, we consider it appropriate in the interests of justice to constitute a Committee comprising of independent and impartial persons including experts in the field of Agriculture for the purpose. This may not be possible without hearing all the necessary parties," the order said. It, therefore, asked petitioners to implead all necessary parties and posted the case for further hearing after the winter vacation. However, the Court also granted liberty to parties to move the Court for hearing by a vacation bench, if service is complete. ."List these matters after the ensuing winter vacation with liberty to move the Vacation Bench if necessary, after service is complete. In the meantime, the petitioners are given liberty to serve the unserved respondents/ impleaded farmers," the Court stated..Liberty was also granted to the parties who are before already the court, to submit their suggestions about the constitution of the committee. .[Read Order]