Centre says no to Republic Day tractor rally: Farm leader
NEW DELHI: Darshan Pal of Krantikari Kisan Union on Thursday said that the Centre has denied permission for the proposed tractor rally on Republic Day on Delhi’s outer ring road citing security concerns.
Pal’s remarks came after attending a meeting between farmers and Delhi Police over the proposed rally against the three contentious agriculture laws. “The central government has said that tractor parade on Republic Day cannot be conducted on Delhi’s outer ring road, due to security reasons. We are clear that we will conduct a tractor parade there only. After tomorrow’s [Friday] meeting with the Centre, we will hold another meeting with police,” he told news agency ANI.
Police officials said that the outer ring road is “very sensitive” and they would have allowed the parade if it would not be held on Republic Day.
NEW DELHI: Darshan Pal of Krantikari Kisan Union on Thursday said that the Centre has has denied permission for the proposed tractor rally on Republic Day Delhi’s outer ring road citing security concerns.
Pal’s remarks came after attending a meeting between farmers and Delhi Police over the tractor rally against the three contentious agriculture laws. “The Central government has said that tractor parade on Republic Day cannot be conducted on Delhi’s outer ring road, due to security reasons. We are clear that we will conduct a tractor parade there only. After tomorrow’s meeting with Centre, we will hold another meeting with police” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The police officials said that the outer ring road is “very sensitive” and they would have allowed the parade if it would not be held on Republic Day. However, the farmers remained firm on holding their rally at the proposed site.
“To ensure the smooth conduction of the Republic Day parade is the job of the Delhi Police and we are committed to its consummation. We can’t talk of any specific measures still,” Manish Agrawal, Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police (Traffic) said.
The meeting was held at the Singhu border to discuss the route and arrangements for the tractor rally on January 26.
“Farmers from across the country will come to Delhi and hold the scheduled tractor rally. I believe that the government will soon realize and get some sense and we will do our parade,” said Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav.
On Wednesday, farmer leaders discussed the route and arrangements at a meeting with top police brass at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi for their rally against the agriculture laws.
Earlier, the Supreme Court has refused to entertain the Central government’s plea against the proposed tractor rally by farmers on Republic Day, saying it is the matter for the police to decide.
The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI), SA Bobde, said police have the authority to deal with the issues pertaining to the proposed tractor rally.
Farmers have been protesting on the borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws - Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
POLICE SAID THE OUTER RING ROAD IS “VERY SENSITIVE” AND WOULD HAVE GIVEN NOD FOR PARADE IF IT WOULD NOT BE HELD ON JAN 26