The Delhi Government has turned down the Centre's request to convert the Bhawna stadium into a makeshift jail, stating that it was incorrect to arrest the protesting farmers.
This comes as farmers, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, on Tuesday morning commenced their 'Delhi Chalo' march to press for their demands. Multiple groups, along with tractor trolleys, are marching from Fatehgarh Sahib and Mehal Kalan in Khanauri towards Delhi.
Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gahlot wrote to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar denying permission and expressed solidarity with the farmers' march. The statement issued by Delhi Government Home Minister Kailash Gahlot said the demands of the farmers were genuine. "It is the constitutional right of every citizen to make a peaceful protest. It is therefore incorrect to arrest the farmers," he said in a reply to the Centre's proposal to convert the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in Bawana into a temporary jail to detain the protesting farmers.
"The Central Government, in fact, should invite them over for talks and try to find a solution of their genuine problems. Farmers of the country are our 'annadata' and treating them in this way by arresting them would be like rubbing salt into their wounds. We cannot be a party to this decision of the Central Government," Gehlot added.
The AAP government in Punjab had extended its support to the farmers, hitting out the Centre for blockading roads. According to AAP leader Gopal Rai, if freedom fighters witnessed these actions, they would "turn in their graves". He emphasised that the farmers simply wish to enter Delhi, yet roads have been barricaded to impede their progress. He took a jibe at the centre, stating even the India-Pakistan border lacks such strong barriers.
