Govt arrogant, will shift protest venue: Team Anna

Civil society members today called the Government arrogant and said that Anna Hazare will now protest against police action on Baba Ramdev in the vicinity of Rajghat. The members said that they don't any confrontation with the Government and want to protest peacefully.

Civil society members on Tuesday called the Government arrogant and said that Anna Hazare will now protest against police action on Baba Ramdev in the vicinity of Rajghat. The members said that they don't any confrontation with the Government and want to protest peacefully.

HT Image

Hazare and his supporters had planned a day-long fast in New Delhi on Wednesday to protest against police action on Baba Ramdev. This may put them on a collision path with the Government which has imposed prohibitory orders at Jantar Mantar.

An associate of Hazare said on Tuesday police had denied them permission to hold a fast but they would go ahead with a protest.

Speaking to reporters, Arvind Kejriwal accused Delhi Police of imposing orders banning the assembly of five or more people in an arbitrary manner in the heart of the city to prevent Hazare's fast.

"The government ought to explain what threat does Anna Hazare pose," he said.

Close aides of Hazare said preparations were in full swing for the "very peaceful" protest from 10am to 7pm at the dharna hotspot of the capital. An all-religion prayer meeting and a debate on lokpal bill are also being organised during the fast.

Civil society member Arvind Kejriwal said, "No one can stop Anna Hazare from protesting at Jantar Mantar tomorrow".

Shanti Bhushan, who wrote to Delhi Police on behalf of Hazare-led team seeking permission for the protest, said the incident in Ramlila Maidan on Saturday was a "blot on democracy" and it was the right of public to protest.

Police had on Sunday imposed Section 144 in Jantar Mantar and other areas in New Delhi district following the midnight police action in Ramlila Maidan where Ramdev and his supporters were on an indefinite protest against blackmoney.

In his letter, Bhushan said, "We are informing you and cautioning you that this re-imposition of Section 144 again in Central Delhi in the absence of any emergent situation which imminently threatens to breach of peace, is a clear violation of Citizen's Charter."

"We are putting you on notice that we intend to go ahead with the fast on June eight which will be totally peaceful and any attempt to prevent the people from reaching Jantar Mantar would be viewed as a serious violation of fundamental democratic rights of the people. We hope the Delhi Police will desist from any such attempt," he said.

(With PTI and IANS input)