Any proposed rally or protest which seeks to disrupt and disturb the Republic Day celebrations will cause an “embarrassment to the nation”, the centre had told SC.
While hearing an injunction application filed by the Delhi police to top a proposed tractor rally by protesting farmers on the Republic Day in Delhi, the apex court today adjourned the matter for the day after and said it was for the Delhi police to decide on the law and order situation.
The top court had earlier stayed the implementation of the farm laws on January 12 and had formed a committee to look over the matter.
The question of entry of farmers in Delhi on January 26 was “a law and order situation that is to be determined by the police”, the Supreme Court said.
The bench headed by CJI Bobde, when pointed out by Attorney General KK Venugopal that the entry of 5,000 people in Delhi could be illegal, said that they were at liberty to invoke powers under the law.
“We have indicated to AG and SG that it’s totally up to the police to decide who should enter and who should not,” the court said. “Does the Union of India want police to be told that they have powers under the police act?” it further asked.
“The intervention of the court should not be misunderstood. Law and order authorities should do their job. The court can’t do that job,” the court added.
Senior advocate Dushyant Dave had appeared on behalf of the farmers’ unions before the court. The bench, also comprising of Justices L N Rao and Vineet Saran, said it will hear everyone on Wednesday.
In an application filed through the Delhi Police, the centre had told the court that any proposed rally or protest which seeks to disrupt and disturb the Republic Day celebrations will cause an “embarrassment to the nation”.
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