New Delhi, July 29 (IANS) Within 24 hours of banning any gathering of five or more people in the heart of the capital coinciding with parliament session beginning Aug 1, Delhi Police modified the order withdrawing the curbs from Jantar Mantar and the India Gate.
The order Thursday said Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code will be imposed at the India Gate, Central Vista lawns, Rajpath, Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place with its surrounding areas from July 30 to Sep 9, covering the duration of the monson session of parliament.
However, Delhi Police Friday exempted the two areas from the restrictions which would be in place in other areas earlier notified.
‘Protests and public meetings can take place at Jantar Mantar,’ said a police officer.
The Thursday order could have upset social activist Anna Hazare’s plan to go on an indefinite hunger strike for the second time from Aug 16 to press for a strong anti-corruption Lokpal bill.
Team Anna, who were worried after Thursday order, told IANS: ‘They have lifted prohibitory orders from Jantar Mantar. However, we are waiting for a reply from Delhi Police to the letter we sent earlier, seeking permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar.’
The order could have also created problem for the country’s first Slut Walk – a campaign to protest the random usage of the word ‘slut’ and sexual violence against women – scheduled on Sunday at Jantar Mantar and nearby roads.
