The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a plea of the central government, filed though the Delhi Police, seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor march or any other kind of protest by farmers “which seeks to disrupt the gathering and celebrations” of Republic Day on January 26.
However, the farmers who have been protesting against the new agricultural laws are firm on holding the proposed tractor rally on Republic Day and continue their sit-in demonstration till the agriculture laws are repealed.
Addressing a press conference at the Singhu border protest site, union leader Yogendra Yadav said, “We will carry out a tractor parade on the Outer Ring Road in Delhi on Republic Day. The parade will be very peaceful. There will be no disruption of the Republic Day parade. The farmers will put up the national flag on their tractors.”
It was stressed that the aim of this proposed protest march, which will cover a distance of 50 km, was not to disrupt the Republic Day parade.
While, Agriculture Minister Tomar said that the farmer unions should give up their stubborn stand and sit for a clause by clause discussion with the Centre on Tuesday.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said that the farmers are prepared to protest till May 2024.”Our demand is that the three laws be taken back and the government provide a legal guarantee on the MSP,” Rakesh Tikait said.
Except for the demand of repealing the laws, the government is ready to consider “seriously and with an open heart” other alternatives, Tomar said.
Also, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to the protesting farmer unions saying the Narendra Modi-led government is dedicated to the farmers. He assured that the three central farm laws would ensure a manifold hike in their earnings.
Meanwhile, farmers continue to organise mock tractor rallies in various parts of Punjab to encourage more and more people to join the proposed ‘Kisan Tractor March’ in large numbers.
ACP (Connaught Place) told media outlets on Sunday, “In view of Covid-19, we are trying to reduce the gathering to 25,000 as compared to 1.5 lakh people earlier. People must follow coronavirus guidelines. We have restricted children below 15 years and adults above 65 yrs to the program.”
