New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) The Delhi Police Tuesday denied permission to Team Anna to protest at Jantar Mantar, where Anna Hazare is scheduled to hold a fast from Aug 16, saying that no single organisation can be allowed to usurp the site for an indefinite period.
‘It is imperative for the duration of the dharna to be specified as no single organisation can be allowed to usurp and lay exclusive claim to the place meant for holding demonstration or protest for an indefinite period of time,’ Assistant Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) K.C. Dwivedi said.
‘This space has to be shared equitably with others intending to hold peaceful protests and there are many claimants from all over India seeking to hold demonstration at Jantar Mantar site… This venue has little capacity and it would be difficult to accommodate the huge crowds expected (to attend),’ Dwivedi added.
Earlier, a statement from the activists said they had clearly mentioned the time period of the protest.
‘They have refused to allow Anna Hazare to protest at Jantar Mantar on the grounds that duration of the protest at the site was not mentioned, while India Against Corruption (IAC) had clearly mentioned a month’s time,’ said the IAC statement.
The IAC has written another letter to the Delhi Police commissioner, suggesting alternative sites for the protest, which include Jantar Mantar Road, Boat Club, Rajghat, Ramlila Maidan and Shaheed Park.
The IAC has also suggested that if any of these places is not suitable, then the police can suggest any other alternative location within a three km radius of Jantar Mantar.
Hazare has decided to go on fast from Aug 16 to protest against the government version of the anti-graft Lokpal bill, likely to be introduced in parliament Thursday.
The Gandhian went on a 97-hour fast in April at Jantar Mantar demanding a strong Lokpal bill.
