Supreme Court Proposes Independent Committee to Bridge Trust Deficit with Farmers
The Supreme Court of India, in an important initiative to address the ongoing protests by farmers at the Punjab-Haryana border, on July 24, 2025, suggested the creation of an independent committee to engage in negotiations with the farmers and settle their demands, which included a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. The court underlined the need for an impartial mediator to promote communication and arrive at a just resolution, pointing out a severe lack of trust between the farmers and the government. A bench led by Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan, is taking this important step in an effort to restore public access to the crucial national highway and defuse tensions at the Shambhu border near Ambala, where farmers have been stationed since February 13, 2024.
The Haryana government appealed a Punjab and Haryana High Court order to take down barricades at the Shambhu border that were put up to stop farmers from marching to Delhi, and the Supreme Court stepped in. The farmers have been calling for a statutory guarantee for MSP, farm loan waivers, and other reforms, under the leadership of organizations like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The court’s observation that government initiatives, including ministerial outreach, have not succeeded in closing the trust gap is the basis for its proposal for an independent committee. “You have to take some steps to reach out to farmers,” stated Justice Kant. There is a lack of trust even when the ministers you are sending from here have the best of intentions.
The bench emphasized the need for a “neutral umpire” to instill confidence among all stakeholders and instructed the Center and the state governments of Punjab and Haryana to propose names of distinguished people for the committee within a week. In order to prevent any escalation, the court also ordered a status quo at the Shambhu border. This was in response to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s concerns regarding the presence of 500–600 modified tractors, also known as “armoured tanks,” which could endanger law and order if permitted to travel to Delhi. Advocate General Gurminder Singh of Punjab, meanwhile, emphasized the economic costs of the highway blockade to Punjab and the pressing need to return things to normal.
The Supreme Court has tried to mediate farmer protests before. Farmers refused to participate in protests against the now-repealed farm laws in 2021 after the court established a committee that was criticized for having members who were seen as pro-reform. In order to guarantee that the committee can successfully handle complaints, involving MSP guarantees, which farmers contend are essential to their monetary survival, the court is now placing a higher priority on neutrality after learning from previous mistakes. The bench urged a balanced approach to negotiations, acknowledging that some demands might be realistic while others might not be.
The Ambala-New Delhi highway, which is essential for connectivity and trade, has been disrupted by the Shambhu border blockade, resulting in severe public inconvenience and financial losses, especially for Punjab. The Supreme Court’s request for a committee demonstrates its intention to address fundamental problems like communication and trust while striking a balance between the public’s right to free movement and farmers’ rights to protest. The ruling represents a positive step in addressing one of India’s most pressing socioeconomic issues as the country awaits the creation of this panel.
Watch this space for updates on the Supreme Court’s attempts to mediate the farmers’ protests and bring peace back to the border with Shambhu.
