Farmers Movement Archive

CJI S A Bobde had feared violence if rally was allowed in Delhi

NEW DELHI: During the hearings on farmers’ protest in the Supreme Court, CJI S A Bobde had feared that there could be violence if the protesters were allowed to take out a tractor march on Republic Day. The bench headed by Justice Bobde was sceptical when advocate Prashant Bhushan, who represented eight of the 40 unions protesting at Singhu border, said on January 20, “The tractor rally will be on the Outer Ring Road. We are only celebrating Republic Day and will not breach peace.” Attorney general K K Venugopal and solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who too feared violence, were ultimately proved right. “It will be difficult to keep peace on the congested roads of Delhi if 5,000 tractors are brought in,” the AG had said. The SG had repeatedly urged the court to issue a direction to farmers’ unions not to take out the tractor rally. He had told the SC that “extraneous and outside elements and ideologies have taken over the agitation”. But the SC didn’t rely upon the government’s specific assertion and “advocated” the farmers’ “right to protest”. While allowing the march, the CJI had said, “The only rider we would add is that they must assure the citizens of Delhi of complete peace.” Bhushan said the unions had already issued a call for maintaining peace. In the end, the promises proved to be fragile. Even during the hearing on January 11, the CJI had asked advocate Dushyant Dave, who represented the unions, whether the farm leaders were ready to accept responsibility for violence that could break out even by a stray incident. The CJI had asked, “The most serious question is possible loss of lives and damage to property. We do not mind protests going on but who is going to take responsibility? If the farmers’ leaders can take responsibility, let the protests go on.” Dave replied, “Nobody can (take responsibility).” Realising the enormity of the situation, the CJI had said, “God forbid if anything goes wrong. We do not want blood on our hands...” What Dave said sounds hollow now. "Our unions have maintained complete discipline. The government has enough police power to stop it (violence). Let the farmers' unions be permitted to protest at Ramlila Maidan. Why are we not allowed to go to Ramlila Maidan? It is a historical ground where citizens should be allowed to protest," he had said. On that day, Dave had initially said the farmers will not take out tractor rallies. When the CJI expressed happiness and the AG requested the court to record Dave's statement, the latter immediately made a U-turn and said, "I am not making any such statement. Give us a day. Keep the matter tomorrow. I will consult and get back to the court." However, neither Dave nor Bhushan appeared before the court on January 12, when the court appointed a four-member committee.

The Times of India

2021-01-27

Delhi