‘Hurtful, unfortunate’: Tourism Minister says protesters should have stayed away from Red Fort

Among the first members of the central government to have reacted to the farmers’ tractor rally was Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel. The Minister reacted strongly against a particular incident in which protesters entered the ramparts of the Red Fort and hoisted their flags at the Mughal monument.

Also read: Farmers Protest Day 62 Live: Farmer dies at Delhi’s ITO after tractor overturns

“The Red Fort is a symbol of the sanctity of our democracy. The protester ought to have stayed away from the Red Fort,” Patel tweeted.

“I condemn the desecration of its sanctity. It was hurtful and unfortunate,” his tweet in Hindi read.

On Independence Day, the Prime Minister of India unfurls the national flag and addresses the nation from the ramparts of this medieval monument. 

Thousands of protesting farmers took out massive tractor rallies from Delhi’s border areas. At several places, they broke police barricading and clashed with the police, which in turn fired tear gas.

Internet services were snapped till 23.59 on Tuesday in the areas of Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk, Nangloi and their adjoining areas.

Also read: From Delhi’s border to Red Fort: Farmers’ tractor rally, what we know so far

Meanwhile, a protesting farmer died at Delhi’s ITO after his tractor overturned, PTI reported.