Punjab and Haryana HC directs governments to submit affidavits on ‘Dilli Chalo’ march

In response to the ongoing farmers’ Dilli Chalo march, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has instructed both the central and state governments to file affidavits detailing their discussions with the farmers, scheduled for Thursday evening. The court, presided over by a division bench of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Vikas Suri, is addressing two public interest litigations (PIL) related to the protest.

One of the PILs, filed by advocate Uday Pratap Singh from Amravati Enclave, Panchkula, challenges the sealing of the Haryana-Punjab border at Shambhu. The petitioner argues that this act is unlawful and obstructs farmers from exercising their constitutional right to assemble and protest peacefully.

The second petition, lodged by advocate Arvind Seth of Sector 5, Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula, seeks directions to states and the Union to prevent farmers from blocking national and state highways as well as rail tracks in Punjab and Haryana. The plea also urges immediate action against the agitators under the National Highway Act. Additional Solicitor General of India, Satya Pal Jain, informed the court on Thursday about the scheduled meeting between Union ministers and farmer union representatives. In response, the bench directed, “Let a short affidavit be filed by the respondents on February 20.”

The Haryana government, arguing that the protest is unauthorized and lacking permission, mentioned that six districts have designated areas for peaceful protests, including Yamunanagar, Charkhi Dadri, Kurukshetra, Jhajjar, Panchkula, and Karnal. Other districts are also instructed to identify suitable protest sites.

The Punjab government assured the court that the situation is tense but under control. The case is now set for hearing on February 20, as the court awaits the affidavits from the concerned governments following their discussions with the farmers’ representatives.