Farmers have planned a massive tractor rally in Delhi on January 26.
New Delhi:
Farmers protesting against the Centre’s contentious farm laws have sought written permission from the Delhi Police for the massive tractor rally they are planning on Republic Day. More than a thousand tractors from across Punjab and Haryana will take part in the rally, which will be held on Ring Road, which encircles the city.
The farmers have said that it would not interfere with the big parade held on Rajpath. The police will take a call on the matter after a meeting today.
On Saturday, the farmers claimed they have received police permission for the rally, which was contradicted by the police soon after. “Farmers have not given us any route in writing. We will let you know once we receive a route in written,” Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava had told NDTV.
The government has been against the rally on the Republic Day, saying it would be an “embarrassment for the nation” because of the timing. It had also approached the Supreme Court, asking it to put a stop to the rally.
The top court, however, has left the decision to the Delhi Police, saying it was a matter of “law and order”.
Turning down the Centre’s contention that it was an “extraordinary situation”, the court said, “Does the Supreme Court say as to what are the powers of police and how they will exercise them? We are not going to tell you what to do”.
The court had earlier upheld the farmers’ constitutional right to hold a peaceful protest.
“We make it clear that we recognise the fundamental right to protest against a law. There is no question of balancing or curtailing it. But it should not damage anyone’s life or property,” Chief Justice SA Bobde had said at a hearing in December.