Traffic movements were affected on Friday due to a planned demonstration carried out by the Shiromani Akali Dal against the three central farm laws to mark one year of its enactment. The Delhi Traffic Police alerted commuters about the closure of specific roads and suggested diversions to avoid any inconvenience on its Twitter handle.

The protest has led to the closure of roads at the Jharoda Kalan border and the diversion of the Round About Pusa road. Meanwhile, Dhaula Kuan and Sardar Patel road routes have also been affected due to the protest.

About the demonstrations, Punjab’s political group ‘Shiromani Akali Dal’ gathered at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj on Friday morning to carry out marches towards the Parliament road. The party is observing September 17 as ‘black day’ as it marks one year since the enactment of the Narendra Modi’s government’s controversial farm legislation. 

News agency ANI has released some images from the demonstration, in which hundreds of farmers and their supporters have gathered to protest against the controversial farm laws. Saffron flags are seen being raised during the protest.

The Shiromani Akali Dal under the leadership of its President Sukhbir Singh Badal had given a call to take out a march starting from Gurdwara Talab Ganj Sahib to Parliament House against the “anti-farmer” laws passed by the Central government, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, vehicular movement on Minto Road and ITO has come to a complete halt due to diversions set up all the way to Connaught Place by Delhi Police. 

DCP Deepak Yadav of the Delhi Police told ANI that they have denied the leaders permission to hold a protest and are in talks with them about the same. Heavy police presence was seen outside Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, reported ANI.

Earlier on Friday, Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal and other top members have met with Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) officials at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj to discuss the planned protest march.

“We will court arrest if we have to. SAD has a 100-year history of standing up against injustice,” said former MP and SAD leader Jagmeet Singh Brar.