Farmers' protest: Delhi government refuses to convert stadium into jail
What's the story
The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Tuesday rejected the Centre's proposal to turn the Bawana Stadium into a "temporary jail" for farmers. Besides the Delhi government, several opposition leaders like Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge have reacted to the developments. However, the Centre has maintained that consensus on "most issues" has been achieved, and further deadlock can be resolved through dialog.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The announcement came against the backdrop of the farmers' protest march to Delhi. Thousands of farmers from Punjab are marching toward the capital as part of their "Delhi Chalo" protest over several demands, including a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. The agitators are also seeking the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, agricultural loan waivers, and pensions for farmers.
Statement
Delhi government expresses solidarity with farmers' march
In a letter to the chief secretary, Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gahlot said that staging a peaceful protest was a "constitutional right" of every Indian citizen. He also expressed solidarity with the farmers' march. To recall, former Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain earlier similarly refused permission to limit gatherings of protesting farmers at the Bawana Stadium in 2021.
Twitter Post
AAP government's letter to Centre
❌ Kejriwal Govt. Turns down Central Govt.'s proposal to convert Bawana Stadium into a Temporary Jail for farmers. ❌
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 13, 2024
▪️The demands of the farmers are genuine.
▪️It is the constitutional right of every citizen to protest peacefully.
▪️Farmers are our 'annadatas'
▪️Central Govt.… pic.twitter.com/b9vYNRSuOc
Opposition reaction
Congress president accuses Modi government of crushing farmers' voices
On Tuesday, Congress President Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of crushing the farmers' voices. "Barbed wire, teargas from drones, nails and guns...everything is arranged. The dictatorial Modi government is trying to curb the voice of farmers," he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Earlier on Sunday, Kharge extended his party's support for the farmers' "Delhi Chalo" call.
Twitter Post
Read: Kharge's post on X
कँटीले तार, ड्रोन से आँसू गैस, कीले और बंदूक़ें… सबका है इंतज़ाम,
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 13, 2024
तानाशाही मोदी सरकार ने किसानों की आवाज़ पर जो लगानी है लगाम !
याद है ना “आंदोलनजीवी” व “परजीवी” कहकर किया था बदनाम, और 750 किसानों की ली थी जान ?
10 सालों में मोदी सरकार ने देश के अन्नदाताओं से किए गए अपने… pic.twitter.com/9iUAzFeXgg
Union government's statement
Ready to negotiate with farmers: Union minister
As farmers in thousands marched toward Delhi, the central government on Tuesday said a solution to the deadlock could only be achieved through dialog. Union Minister Arjun Munda told NDTV that the government was ready to negotiate with the farmers, but some unruly elements have been trying to hijack their protest. On Monday, the minister claimed that a consensus was achieved on most issues.
Supreme Court
SC Bar Association seeks suo moto action against 'erring farmers'
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Bar Association wrote to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Tuesday. It requested suo motu action against "erring farmers" who attempted to enter Delhi forcefully. The letter claimed the march would disrupt the normal lives of Delhi's residents. It also requested no adverse orders be issued against the lawyers if they fail to appear due to the farmers' protest.
CJI responds
CJI's remark on Delhi-NCR traffic chaos
Moreover, taking note of the massive traffic jams across the National Capital Region (NCR), CJI Chandrachud said he would accommodate lawyers if they were stuck in traffic due to farmers' protests. If anyone has a problem due to the traffic situation, "we will adjust," a bench comprising the CJI, Justices JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra told lawyers on Tuesday.