Jantar Mantar denotification vindictive, vow to fight: Opposition

NEW DELHI: A day after its mega SC march in Delhi, the united opposition on Tuesday lashed out at Modi govt for denotifying Jantar Mantar as a protest site, accusing it of hatching a conspiracy to push protests to Delhi's fringes. The opposition vowed that the fight to "restore democracy" will continue, while warning that farmer and worker organisations will join the agitation soon. "We have extreme respect for SC, CJI and the judicial system. They have a role to play, we hope they will play that role. But we are political people. Irrespective of what happens, which institution plays a role or not, people's resistance will continue," leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said. At a tea hosted by Rahul for INDIA bloc members, they argued that they should challenge govt's 'Jantar-Mantar-not-for-protest' decision. They termed it a "vindictive" step. Elated over turnout for SC march, it was felt that the momentum should be sustained, though specific plans were not spelt out, especially in view of festive season. In the informal discussion, Rahul told allies to keep political organisations on "alert mode" for quick agitational action, like in 24 hours. Besides in the scheduled Nov 1 rally, there could be improvised programmes like mock parliament to remove CEC. They felt with the bloc becoming more agitation-oriented, ties with civil society are growing stronger, which must continue.

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They felt with the bloc becoming more agitation-oriented, ties with civil society are growing stronger, which should continue. The gathering included Congress's Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha, SP's Harendra Malik and Anand Bhadauria, CPI-ML's Dipankar Bhattacharya, NCP's Supriya Sule, Sena UBT's Sanjay Raut, Mamata TMC's Sagarika Ghose, JMM's Mahua Maji, CPM's MA Baby, CPI's D Raja and Sandosh Kumar, VCK's Thol Thirumavalavan, RSP's NK Premachandran, Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, AISA chief Neha Bora, and Sai Balaji, among others. Congress state in-charges, civil society and student representatives were also present. Rahul said govt has decided Jantar Mantar can no longer be used to express feelings for democracy. "We will challenge that idea, and it won't be so simple for govt to decide that Indians will not fight for their voice." MA Baby said govt has not only committed "vote theft, but also theft of protest site" while Rahul stressed "all protests are one". He said "net is closing" on PM Modi, Union minister Amit Shah, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

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