Delhi Govt refuses to convert Bawana stadium into jail

New Delhi, February 13

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The Delhi Government has denied permission to convert the Bawana stadium into a jail.

In view of the farmers’ march towards Delhi for their demands, including guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), the Union government had asked the AAP government to convert the stadium into a jail for detaining protesting farmers.

Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gahlot, in a reply to the Chief Secretary, said the demands of the farmers were genuine and it was the constitutional right of every citizen to hold a peaceful protest.

“It is incorrect to arrest the farmers. The Central Government should in fact invite them for talks and try to find a solution to their genuine problems,” he added.

Gahlot emphasised that farmers are the ‘annadata’ of the country and arresting them would be like rubbing salt into their wounds. “We cannot be a party to this decision of the Central Government. Hence, approval cannot be given for converting a stadium into a jail.” he said.

Former minister Satyendar Jain had also refused to give permission for converting the Bawana stadium into a temporary jail during the farmers’ agitation in 2020-21.

Talks between farmers and Union ministers remained inconclusive on Monday evening and farmers began their march towards the national capital at 10 am today. The Delhi Police has turned the Capital into a fortress with barricades and cement blocks in border areas along with heavy police deployment.

The Singhu border has witnessed heavy barricading and police presence. Containers have been placed on roads to stop the farmers from entering the national capital. — TNS

Not right to arrest farmers

It is no right to arrest the farmers. The Centre should invite farmers for talks and try to find a solution to their genuine problems…We cannot be a party to this decision of the Central Government. Hence, approval cannot be given for converting a stadium into a jail. — Kailash Gahlot, Delhi Home Minister