New Delhi: Deviating from the designated route for the proposed tractor parade, a section of protesting farmers entered the Red Fort Tuesday. The protesting farmers hoisted flags from some domes of the iconic monument in the national capital. Pushed back by the police form the ITO in Central Delhi a section of the protesting farmers drove their tractors to Red Fort complex.
The crowd swelled at the monument as some protesting farmers and ‘Nihangs’ (traditional Sikh warriors) were seen entering the Red Fort and hoisting a flag from the staff from which prime minister unfurls the Tricolour on Independence Day.
Earlier, a clash broke out between police and protesting farmers after the latter reached ITO and tried to push towards Lutyen’s Delhi. It prompted the police force to resort to lathicharge and use tear gas shells against them.
The farmers began their march from different border points, much before the time permitted to them for their tractor rally. They reached ITO in Central Delhi despite the force denying them permission for it.
The Delhi Police had given permission to farmers protesting the three farm laws to hold their tractor parade on selected routes. They were allowed to do so only after the official Republic Day parade on the Rajpath concludes. However chaos ensued as the farmers were adamant of heading towards central Delhi.
Action condemned
Meanwhile Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Prahlad Patel condemned the actions of a section of farmers who entered the Red Fort. He said that their act violated the symbol of dignity of India’s democracy.
“The Red Fort is a symbol of the dignity of our democracy. The farmers should have stayed away from it. I condemn the violation of this dignity. It is sad and unfortunate,” Patel said in a tweet.