The Supreme Court's recent judgment declaring the eviction process initiated by the Himachal Pradesh government as invalid has drawn strong reactions from farmer leaders.
Rakesh Singha, president of the Seb Utpadak Sangh, and Dr. Kuldeep Tanwar, president of the Himachal Kisan Sabha, have criticized the government’s handling of the situation.
They have urged all 68 MLAs to protect farmers from eviction in view of the recent Supreme Court Order. They should bring in a resolution in the coming Vidhan sabha session to protect farmers from eviction considering that Himachal has 10 per cent land for agriculture while 80 per cent is forest land.
Misuse of Public Premises Act
The leaders have highlighted a critical procedural flaw in the evictions carried out at the behest of the High Court.
The government used the Public Premises Act as the legal basis for the evictions, which they argue is not valid in this context.
Instead, they stressed that the proper legal framework for such actions should have been the Land Revenue Act, particularly under Section 163A, which provides for a more transparent and legally sound process.
Call for Legislative Action
Rakesh Singha has urged the state government to take immediate steps to protect the rights of farmers.
He called for passing a resolution in the Assembly to amend the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, allowing for the regularization of land occupied by farmers.
Singha also pointed out that the government had successfully secured stays on similar eviction processes in 2015 and 2019 and must now file an affidavit in court to halt current proceedings.
Farmers’ Plight and Broader Implications
Dr. Kuldeep Tanwar emphasized that the eviction orders disproportionately affect small and marginalized farmers.
He accused the government of constitutional negligence and called for immediate transparency and collaboration in resolving land disputes.
Tanwar further warned that continued mishandling could lead to mass agitations across the state.
Socio-Economic Impact
Both leaders emphasized the grave impact on apple growers and small landholders, whose livelihoods are being disrupted by arbitrary actions. They reiterated that policy changes and legal clarity are essential to safeguard the rights of affected farmers.
The ruling and its aftermath underline the urgency for the Himachal Pradesh government to prioritize farmers' welfare through legal and policy reforms.
It also calls for more careful and just application of the law to prevent further socio-economic distress in the state.
