SC lets Delhi cops decide on Jan. 26 farmers’ protest

The Supreme Court on Monday left it to the Delhi police to decide on the entry of protesting farmers into the national capital on Republic Day, as it heard the government’s plea seeking an injunction against the tractor rally planned for January 26.

Sticking to their stand, the union leaders said the protesting farmers had a constitutional right to take out their tractor rally peacefully and said thousands of people will participate in the event. The proposed 50-km “kisan rally” will be led by women-driven tractors on Outer Ring Road and won’t disrupt the day’s big parade on Rajpath.

Farmers have started organising mock rallies in parts of Punjab and

Haryana to encourage more people to join the “kisan tractor march” in large numbers.

There are indications the tractor rally may also figure in the tenth round of negotiations on Tuesday between the farmers and Central ministers. The two sides have failed to reach any understanding in nine rounds of talks over the repeal of three Central farm laws.

In the Supreme Court, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde on Monday said the Delhi police was at liberty to invoke its powers under the law and it has the power to deal with law and order situations. “Who should be allowed and the number of people to enter are all matters of law and order, to be decided by the police. We are not the first authority,” Chief Justice Bobde said.