Singed by farm law protests, BJP-JJP govt fears flames of common village land row | Political Pulse News,The Indian Express
BKU leader Chaduni leads protest against a govt move to take possession of the land, following an SC order
A Supreme Court order freeing shamlat deh or common land in villages in Haryana from all litigation is fast becoming a political issue in the state. With the Opposition claiming to be standing up for the farmers against an insensitive government, the BJP-JJP Ministry is treading carefully on the matter.
The shamlat land is kept aside for common use in villages, as part of the Punjab Land Revenue Act of 1887. In April, the Supreme Court held that such land should be utilised by panchayats only for the needs of villagers. “No part of the land can be re-partitioned amongst the proprietors, and such land would not be available for sale,’’ the apex court ruled.
In June, the Haryana government ordered immediate end to all ongoing cases and pending litigation in courts across the state. While the High Court stayed the Haryana order later, the state government is expected to come up with revised instructions given the Supreme Court ruling.
The move has far-reaching consequences as thousands of acres of such land are believed to have been sold off by shareholders or gram panchayats, and now being tilled by farmers.
Both the Opposition and BJP realise the potential minefield of implementing the decision amid sinking land holdings of farmers. The move is even more fraught as the farmers are now heavily organised following the year-long successful protests against the farm laws.
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