Farmers Movement Archive

Rampal Jat denied entry into Raj Ghat, detained in Delhi

EDITED: 410Jaipur: While the farmers protesting against the agriculture laws observed ‘Sadbhavna Diwas’ on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary by holding a day-long fast at Alwar’s Shahjahanpur border, Rajasthan’s farmer leader Rampal Jat was detained at New Delhi’s Daryaganj police station as he started observing fast at the pavement across the road after being denied entry into Raj Ghat on Saturday morning. Among others who were detained were Haryana’s Nehra Khap head Satyanarayan Nehra, Kisan Mahapanchayat state general secretary Jagdish Narayan Khudiala, Batti Lal Bairwa, state youth general secretary Pintu Yadav. They were later released at 9pm. “We observed fast at the police station in a peaceful manner. We had informed the Delhi police commissioner about our fast through an email on Friday. However, we were denied entry into Raj Ghat due to VIP movement at 10am on Saturday. So, we started observing fast inside our vehicle,” said Rampal Jat. “Around 12.30pm when we again reached the samadhi (Raj Ghat), we were not allowed to enter. We paid obeisance to the samadhi, observed silence for two minutes and continued our fast at a pavement across the road. Later, police took us to Daryaganj police station,” he added. “They released us at 9pm. Asked about the reason for detention, police officials said that under Section 65 of Delhi Police Act they are empowered to detain anyone for 24 hours. I told them that this is a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution. They can’t detain anyone without a solid reason. This is a debatable matter and can be challenged,” said Jat. “This is an insult to the farmers and farmers’ leaders. In this country, undoubtedly, a ruler in the form of Modiji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) has taken over, who doesn’t care about farmers and labourers. They only want to weaken the farmers’ movement,” he added. On Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day, the protesting farmers observed a day’s fast at Alwar’s Shahjahanpur border on Sanyukt Kisan Morcha’s call. A goodwill march was also taken out by the farmers from Haryana, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha in a statement said, “The oppressive attitude of the government failed to crush the movement led by Rakesh Tikait at Ghazipur border.” “The farmers have decided that the agitation will not end till the Centre’s agricultural laws are repealed,” it added. Meanwhile, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) and Loktantraashala organised a rally at Bhim in Rajsamand remembering Mahatma Gandhi.

The Times of India

2021-01-31

Jaipur