While hearing the Centre’s petition against the tractor rally of Republic Day announced by the farmers, the Supreme Court said that it does not hold the authority to order in this regard as the power lies with the police, given it is a matter of “law and order”.
The Centre had sought SC’s verdict to restrict protesting farmers from entering the January 26th parade as it can disrupt the peace of the country, further coming as an “embarrassment to the nation”.
However, the farmers have assured that their rally is going to be completely peaceful as they do not intend or have any plans to shake the harmony of their fellow citizens.
The petition was being heard by a 3-bench judge, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde. The apex court said the police have been granted all power listed under the laws to take appropriate action and every necessary decision in issues pertaining to law and order.
CJI Bobde said, “Who should be allowed and the number of people to enter is all matters of law and order to be decided by the police. We are not the first authority.”
” It is an extraordinary situation and court may pass orders,” replied Attorney General KK Venugopal who sought the court’s verdict in the matter.
However, the bench consisting of Justices LN Rao and Vineet Saran 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.”
As this wasn’t the bench that was hearing the earlier case, the SC told Attorney General KK Venugopal that it will be allotting the date of January 20th for the next hearing.
The request that was presented jointly by the Centre and Delhi police urged the court to stop the people who were intending to conduct any protest march, be it in the form of a tractor rally, trolley march, automobile march, or other mediums that require entrance in the national capital.
The tractor rally, encompassing 1,000 tractors’ participation, will not disturb the celebrations of Republic Day at Rajpath, farmers have reiterated.
A farmer leader at the Singhu border said, “We will not interrupt the parade on Republic Day.”
Their rally will be stretching for 50 km in the Outer Ring Road, he said while adding, “We hope the Delhi and Haryana Police will cooperate in this. This parade will be peaceful.”
The Tractor rally event that was announced by the farmers earlier is seeing no change of plans as the agriculturists will be pressing the government further to repeal the farm laws. It will be witnessed on Republic Day, January 26th. Dr. Darshanpal said, “Our proposed Tractor rally will be held, will be held, will be held.”
