A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan made the observation after the Haryana government counsel said the state is in the process of filing an appeal against the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s July 10 order which had directed it to open the highway within seven days

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Haryana government to clear the barricading at the Shambhu border near Ambala, where farmers have been camping since February 13, and questioned its authority to block the highway.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan made the observation after the Haryana government counsel said the state is in the process of filing an appeal against the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s July 10 order which had directed it to open the highway within seven days.

Justice Kant told the state’s counsel, “Why do you want to challenge the high court’s order? Farmers are also citizens of this country. Give them food and good medical care. They will come, raise slogans and go back. I think you don’t commute by road.” The counsel replied that he travels by road.