Kerala High Court, On September 24, the High Court settled the public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the hartal encouraged by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Monday. The PIL was dismissed after the government’s submission, promising that those who do not want to participate in the Hartal and those who have to go to work on Monday will be provided adequate protection and safety.
What was the matter?
The LDF will be observing a hartal in the state on September 27. This hartal is to support the farmers’ unions’ call for a nationwide bandh demanding the center’s farm laws be withdrawn. This hartal will also reflect the problems faced by the citizens of India. The exams and other organizational work will be postponed and scheduled for another day. The protest is also directed against the skyrocketing fuel prices.
Who filed the PIL? Why?
A PIL was filed against this hartal by Perumuttam Radhakrishnan. The petitioner argued that according to the guidelines of the High Court; a Hartal had to be summoned at least 10 days in advance. But in the case of the Hartal on Monday, these guidelines were not followed. Since the “Bharat Bandh” admonished by farmers in March was not observed in Kerala; because of the elections to the legislative assembly. The Hartal should be disregarded on Monday because of Covid-19, the petition says. The petitioner requested a court order directing the government to ensure that no one is forced to attend; the Hartal on Monday and to make sure that vehicles are not obstructed.
Final decision
A division bench composed of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P. Chaly considered the petition. The court got rid of the PILE after recording the government’s agreement; that protection would be guaranteed for those who did not participate in the Hartal.