New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said that the farmers’ proposed tractor rally on Republic Day is a matter of law and order and it is Delhi Police who will decide whether it will allow the protesting farmers to enter the national capital.
Hearing the application filed by Delhi Police seeking a direction to put an injunction on the proposed tractor rally on January 26, the Supreme Court said Delhi Police is the only authority to decide it and not the apex court.
The three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde, said Delhi Police is at liberty to invoke all powers under the law and has all 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,” said Chief Justice Bobde.
To this Attorney General KK Venugopal said, ” It is an extraordinary situation and court may pass orders”.
The matter has been adjourned for Wednesday.
Agitating farmer unions have remained firm on holding a tractor rally on the Republic Day and vowed to continue their stir till the Centre’s farm laws are repealed. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday urged them to discuss alternatives to scrapping the legislation at the next meeting scheduled for January 19.
