New Delhi: A petition has been submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the suspension of internet services in specific districts of Haryana and the closure of borders. The border closures were a response to the preparations made by farmers’ unions for a protest march from Punjab to Delhi.
Today, the case was brought before a bench led by Acting Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, who instructed the state government to respond to the matter. The petitioner, Uday Pratap Singh, a practicing advocate, informed the court that the issue pertains to the alleged unlawful sealing of the border between Haryana and Punjab.
According to the plea, the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on February 13, organized by various farmers’ unions, aims to press the government to address their legitimate demands, including the enactment of a law ensuring a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The petition asserts that this march is a manifestation of their democratic right to peaceful protest.
The plea also raises concerns about the state’s actions, such as the suspension of mobile internet services and bulk SMS in several districts, including Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa. Beyond impinging on citizens’ right to information, the plea argues that such measures jeopardize the pillars of a democratic society governed by the rule of law, where respect for human rights and legal principles should prevail.
The next hearing for the matter is scheduled for February 13.