A Bench led by Justice Dipak Misra said it was the state's duty to protect its farmers, many of whom, seeking relief, have been protesting in the national capital since the past one month.
The Supreme Court on Thursday took exception to Tamil Nadu's (TN) lack of "humanitarian concern" and initiative to save its farmers who are reeling under severe drought conditions and preventing them from committing suicide.
A Bench led by Justice Dipak Misra said it was the state's duty to protect its farmers, many of whom, seeking relief, have been protesting in the national capital since the past one month.
"It is alarming to see that the State is still silent on this issue as farmers commit suicide," Justice Misra observed on a petition filed by the TN Centre for Public Interest Litigation highlighting the plight of farmers and the increasing number of suicides among them.
The court observed that it was both shocked and alarmed at how TN had remained silent and not even "extended a finger" to help the starving farmers. The bench further added that the state could not keep banking on the Centre for help and need to "rise up to the occasion" instead of blaming other elements like drought or loan sharks.
The bench then directed TN to produce and submit all records and files by May 2 which would then be open for judicial inspection. This was ascertain what steps were taken by the authorities to alleviate the farmers' misery.
Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who is serving as an amicus curiae, observed that farmers from other States including Maharashtra were suffering from the same plight. However, Justice Misra dismissed the observation by saying that the Bench did not want to "dilute" the issue and wanted to exclusively focus on TN. "This is not one among the hundred cases filed here. This issue raises serious humanitarian concerns," the Bench observed.
Farmers from TN have been protesting in the national capital since Mid-march. A group of farmers stripped in protest after they were denied a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Tamil farmers")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}