Delhi UER-2 Toll Protest: Police Deny Permission for Panchayat, Farmers Allege Discrimination
Delhi UER-2 Toll Protest: The Toll Hatao Sangharsh Samiti (Toll Removal Action Committee) was denied permission to hold its panchayat (public meeting) in protest against the UER-2 toll plaza in Delhi. The movement has received political backing, with the Congress publicly supporting the cause after the Aam Aadmi Party extended its support.
On Sunday, the committee faced difficulties obtaining permission for another panchayat near the Mundka-Bakkarwala toll plaza, just a day after a Mahapanchayat was held against the UER-2 toll. That event, organized by Palam Khap 360 and other groups, had been allowed to proceed. Despite having set up tents and sound systems, police reportedly stopped the organizers from erecting any structures. As a result, attendees were forced to stand in the sun during the gathering. A heavy presence of police and paramilitary forces was observed at the site.
The committee alleged discrimination, questioning why Saturday’s event was permitted while theirs was blocked. In response, police clarified that the organizers had not completed the required formalities in time
Senior Khap leader Ramkumar Solanki said that there will be a review meeting on September 27 at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park in Mundka. At this meeting, the event sequence will be talked over and the plan will be finalized. Asserting that the toll company was working together to lessen the protest, Vijay Maan, a member of the committee, said, “The committee will welcome them” if they are able to get the toll taken away.
Delhi UER-2 Protest Grows: Khap Panchayats, Congress Back Farmers’ Call for Toll-Free Roads
Farmer leaders such as Satyendra Lohchab, Bhupendra Bajad, Mandeep, Rao Satbir, Dilbagh Singh Neelwal, Manoj Bakkarwala, Anil Lakra, Arun Daral, Ravindra Dabas Barwala, and others joined the ongoing protest against toll collection on Delhi’s UER-2.
The movement has received political support. After the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress has also extended its backing. Devender Yadav, President of the Delhi Congress, stated that his party supports the 360 Khap Mahapanchayat’s demand to remove the toll by September 20. He further added that if farmers and villagers launch an indefinite protest in September, Congress will join them.
Yadav criticized the BJP-led government, stating that such toll taxation has no precedent in Delhi’s history and reflects the government’s apathy toward farmers and rural communities.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Mool Gramin Panchayat issued an open letter demanding the toll booth’s removal. The letter was sent to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, state ministers, and all 70 MLAs and MPs of Delhi. It argues that since the two previous ring roads in Delhi were toll-free, UER-2 should follow suit.
Senior Vice President Dayanand Vats emphasized that the toll impacts not just rural Delhi, but the entire city’s population of 20 million. He urged the Delhi government to pass a cabinet resolution recommending toll removal and forward it to the Centre.
Khap leaders, including Chaudhary Surender Solanki, head of Palam 360, are actively mobilizing support in villages such as Madanpur, Ranikhera, and Mubarakpur. They are reiterating the September 20 deadline for toll removal. If the demand is not met, a massive chakka jaam (road blockade) will be organized across Delhi Dehat on September 21.