A plea has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the suspension of internet services in numerous districts of Haryana and the closure of borders in response to the preparations by farmers' unions to hold protest march from Punjab to Delhi [Uday Pratap Singh v UOI & Ors].The matter was mentioned today before the bench of Acting Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia who sought a reply from the State and posted the matter for hearing on Tuesday, February 13.The petitioner Uday Pratap Singh, a resident of Panchkula and also an advocate at the High Court, submitted that the issue pertains to the unlawful sealing of the border between Haryana and Punjab, particularly at Shambhu near Ambala.
The plea highlighted that the farmers' proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 13, organized by numerous farmers' unions to press for the acceptance of their legitimate demands including the enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops, is a manifestation of their democratic right to protest peacefully.
Additionally, the petitioner expressed concerns over the actions taken by the Haryana authorities, including the suspension of mobile internet services and bulk SMS in several districts such as Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa.
These measures exacerbate the situation by depriving citizens of their right to information and communication, the plea said.
"In a country guided by the rule of law, actions taken by law enforcement authorities should be consistent with legal standards and respect fundamental rights and freedoms. Implementing obstacles such as layers of nails, reinforced concrete walls, electrification, and barbed wire fences may Such measures risk undermining the foundations of a democratic society governed by the rule of law, where respect for human rights and legal principles should prevail," the petition stated.
TAGS: Uday Pratap Singh petitioner Panchkula High Court advocate unlawful sealing border Haryana
