During the hearing on a plea seeking an order against the farmers’ tractor rally on R-Day, the Supreme Court said it’s a matter of law and order and has to be decided by the police.

The Supreme Court said on Monday that the farmers’ proposed tractor rally on Republic Day is a matter of law and order and has to be decided by the police. During the hearing on a plea seeking an order against the tractor rally planned by the farmers, the Supreme Court also told the Centre that it has all the authority to deal with the matter.

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea of the central government, filed though the Delhi Police, seeking an order against the protesting farmers’ tractor march or any other kind of protest “which seeks to disrupt the gathering and celebrations” of Republic Day on January 26.

“Police is the first authority to decide who should be allowed to enter Delhi. The question of who should be allowed to enter the city [Delhi] and how many people can be allowed to enter are matters to be decided by the police,” the Supreme Court said, adding, “We cannot interfere.”

Addressing the Centre, the court said, ” We are not going to tell you what you should do. We will take up this matter on Jan 20.” “Does the Union of India want the Supreme Court to tell it what powers you have under the police Act? Why do you need the court to tell you that you have power?”

“We have not taken charge of the matter the way you think we have. Apparently, the intervention of the court has been strongly mistaken by you [Centre]” the court said, adding, “It is for the police to decide on the plea for permission for demonstration in Ramlila maidan.”

Meanwhile, the farmers who have been protesting against the farm laws for close to two months are firm on holding the proposed tractor rally on Republic Day and continue their sit-in demonstration till the agriculture laws are repealed.Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said on Sunday that the farmers are prepared to protest till May 2024.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.

During the 9th round of talks between farmers and the government over the farm laws, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait had said that the farmers will withdraw the tractor rally on Republic Day if the Supreme Court orders. However, the farmers are now firm on their stand to hold a tractor rally on Republic Day.

The Supreme Court will also hear pleas on the issue of farm bills and ongoing protests on Delhi’s borders for over 50 days.

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,” he said.

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.”