Farmers will need to enter Delhi to access the ring road (file)
New Delhi:
Farmers protesting against the Center’s new agricultural laws have received permission to hold a tractor rally on Republic Day. The Delhi police, however, have issued a number of restrictions, saying the permit was granted only to show respect for the farmers’ demand. “Protesting farmers can enter Delhi but they cannot disturb the Republic Day parade,” Delhi police said tonight, stating that the rally of tractors will start after the day’s grand traditional parade on Rajpath, which ends in the iconic Red Fort around noon. .
Farmers, who have been sitting in protest outside Delhi’s borders for nearly two months, will have to enter the city to access the ring road. The green signal came after a series of meetings, including some with farmers, who promised a peaceful demonstration that will move along a highway that surrounds the city.
Farmers, police said, can enter Delhi for a few kilometers and then exit at designated places. While the number of participating tractors has not yet been decided, the route has been set in such a way that it can be protected.
Noting that tight security will be provided for the rally, Delhi Police said their staff, who will be dispatched to the Republic Day parade, will have to be ready for further deployment on short notice.
The government has opposed the Republic Day rally, saying it would be an “embarrassment to the nation” because of the timing. However, the Supreme Court, where he appealed, left the decision to the Delhi police, saying it was a matter of “law and order”.
The court had previously upheld the farmers’ constitutional right to hold a peaceful protest.
The farmers, who have been protesting at Singhu and other borders in Delhi for two months, had decided to hold the tractor rally after several rounds of negotiations with the Center failed to resolve the problem. The date, January 26, was chosen to mark the completion of two months for the “Delhi Chalo” protest, which began on November 26.
Earlier this week, farmers had rejected the government’s offer to suspend the laws for 18 months, demanding a complete repeal. They have also rejected the committee appointed by the Supreme Court, saying that all of its members are pro-government. One of the committee members has already resigned.
Farmers say the new laws will reduce their income and leave them exposed to exploitation by large corporations. They have also demanded a new law guaranteeing the continuation of the Minimum Sustenance Prices currently offered by the government, which they fear will be suspended after a moment.
The government has made clear that it will not repeal the laws or enact legislation on the MSP, but will offer a written guarantee. The Center has said that the three laws are a major reform in the agricultural sector and will help farmers increase their income by allowing them to sell to companies at competitive prices and cutting out middlemen.
Earlier this month, the agricultural laws were suspended for at least two months by the Supreme Court, which appointed a special committee to discuss the issue with all parties. Farmers have not accepted the committee, saying its four members are pro-government. One of the members resigned a day after being admitted.
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