Stop penalising farmers for stubble burning, says RSS body

A farmer burns paddy stubble in a field in Sangrur district, Punjab, India on November 11, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), a farmers’ organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Wednesday (November 11, 2026) welcomed the Supreme Court’s observations and suggestions on stubble burning and air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The organisation urged State governments and administrative authorities to implement the court’s recommendations and stop penalising farmers for stubble burning.Editorial | Holistic approach: On dealing with North India’s stubble burningA Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, during a recent hearing, observed that stubble burning was one of several contributors to Delhi-NCR’s air pollution, with vehicular emissions and industrial pollution also playing a significant role. The Bench referred to the clear skies witnessed in Delhi during the COVID-19 lockdown, despite instances of stubble burning, to highlight the need to examine other major sources of pollution.Reacting to the Supreme Court’s observations, BKS All India General Secretary Mohini Mohan Mishra said the court’s remarks underscored the need to look beyond stubble burning and identify the other major sources of pollution.“State governments should move beyond paperwork and take concrete steps to identify the actual causes of pollution rather than repeatedly blaming farmers for the deteriorating air quality in the national capital and surrounding regions,” he said.Procurement mechanismWelcoming the court’s suggestion of establishing a procurement mechanism for crop residue, Mr. Mishra said the government should introduce a system similar to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) framework for agricultural produce.He said government procurement of stubble would provide farmers with an additional source of income and encourage them to sell crop residue rather than burn it.The BKS demanded the immediate withdrawal of all fines imposed and FIRs registered against farmers over stubble burning.It also urged governments to either bear the entire cost of crop residue management or provide farmers with the necessary equipment and resources to manage stubble without burning it. Published - November 11, 2026 10:20 pm IST