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“No permission given yet on tractor rally”- Delhi Police after farmers’ claims

After yesterday’s claims made by the protesting farmers, the Delhi Police clarified that there has been no permission bestowed upon the agriculturists for carrying out the tractor rally in the Republic Day parade of Rajpath.

Soon following the news, Commissioner of the Delhi Police SN Shrivastava said, “Farmers have not given us any route in writing. We will let you know once we receive a route in writing.”

The farmers have asked the cops to give them a written allowance for their January 26th rally. Over a thousand tractors are going to become a part of the journey that will be held on the Ring Road that surrounds the national capital. Farmers from around the country, including Punjab, Haryana, etc., are participating in the rally, which they assured will be peaceful.

No decision has yet been taken on the front and the Delhi Police will be taking a call today during a meeting, NDTV reported.

This revelation was in opposition to that received on Saturday where the farmers said that they have received permission from the cops for the procession. The Centre has remained in a contest with the farmers’ rally.

Yesterday’s claims came a day following the farmers’ rejection of the government’s offer to keep the farm rules on a temporary halt for one and a half years. This was after the agriculturists warned they would scale the protests over the repeal of the 3 contentious farm laws that leave them to get exploited by corporators, further robbing the MSP from them.

The Supreme Court this week, while hearing the Centre’s petition against the tractor rally, had said that it doesn’t hold the authority to order on the issue as it is a matter of “law & order”. It called the Delhi Police to make a decision as only they have the power.

In the January 26th celebrations, farmer’s union leaders had said their hundreds of thousands of group members will engage in the rally, driving tractors through New Delhi when PM Modi becomes a part of the armed forces’ parade.

The rally raised several questions from government authorities who claimed the protests could erupt violence. However, farm leaders reiterated and stressed that their intention isn’t to turn violent as their protest will remain peaceful while requesting police to allow them to proceed with their tractor rally plan.

The apex court earlier had dismissed petitions that questioned the SC-formed committee as they only comprised of members supporting the new farm laws. It said the panel doesn’t have the power to make a decision.

It questioned the criticizers as to where the subject of partiality comes in when the committee isn’t entitled to do anything except furnishing the report.

As such, Chief Justice SA Bobde said, “We gave (the committee the) power to hear everyone and submit the report to us. Where is the question of bias? (There is) no need to brand people and malign them, and on top of it cast aspersion on (the) court.”

Moreover, the SC also told the Centre to look into a petition that sought the reformation of the panel of experts.

Placing a temporary hold on the implementation of the contentious farm laws, the top court had announced the committee that will be working towards negotiating with the stakeholders after farmers remained firm on their stance to repeal the laws while protesting in the national capital.

Opposition parties like the Congress, Akali Dal, and several protestors shared the opinion that the 4 committee members had previously given their support to the farm laws as they spoke in its favor, indicating that they are likely to incline towards it again, now when they have been given the task.

Farmers’ union Kisan Mahapanchayat said during the court hearing today that Bhupinder Singh Mann, Union President of Bhartiya Kisan Union and a member of the committee stepped away from the role last week.

“You unthinkingly cast aspersions. Someone expressed an opinion… he becomes disqualified? (Bhupinder Singh) Mann had asked for (the) modification of laws… you are saying he is for laws,” Chief Justice SA Bobde said while underlining that the experts “are brilliant minds in the agricultural field”.

“You cannot brand people like this. People should have an opinion. Even the best judges have a certain opinion even they delivered judgments on the other side,” the Chief Justice added.

The court said, “We entertained the issue in the interest of the public and farmers. If you do not want to appear don’t appear. Do not brand people. We are finding a solution to this problem. Public opinion is important and it will not determine the outcome.”