Delhi police deny permission to Anna Hazare’s fast
As police on Tuesday said they were yet to give permission to Anna Hazare to hold a fast here, an associate of the social activist said one way or another they would go ahead with their protest on Wednesday.
“Peacefully protesting and assembling without arms is our fundamental right. So we are going to protest (tomorrow) against the imposition of Section 144 and it will be peaceful. If the government tries to resist, we will court arrest,” Arvind Kejriwal told reporters here. Both Kejriwal and Hazare are part of the panel that is drafting the Lokpal Bill.
But the civil society activists have alleged the government was not serious about the anti-corruption body. Asked if police had given them permission to hold a protest, he said: “We have given them an intimation, but why should we need permission? This (to protest) is our fundamental right.” Delhi police have imposed orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in New Delhi and central Delhi police districts till June 11.
These curb the gathering of five or more people at any place. While Jantar Mantar falls in the New Delhi police district, Ramlila ground, from where yoga guru Baba Ramdev and his supporters were evicted post midnight on Saturday, comes in the central Delhi police district. “We are yet to take a decision on this matter (Anna Hazare fast),” a Delhi police official told IANS. Kejriwal said: “The government arbitrarily imposed Section 144. The Supreme Court has said Section 144 cannot be misused. So it is my fundamental right to go there (Jantar Mantar) and peacefully assemble. “Anna Hazare has given a call and said he will fast and pray, and fasting and praying is not a law and order problem.
“So the government needs to explain to the people what law and order problem are they apprehending,” he added. Anna Hazare had announced the one-day fast to protest the crackdown on yoga guru Ramdev after Saturday midnight. In April, Hazare’s five-day fast drew widespread support across the country and forced the governmnt to set up a 10-member panel to set up a Lokpal Bill to combat corruption in high places.
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