Civil society members boycott Nirupam’s event, Cong cancels it

The party later cancelled the panel discussion, on the alleged “abduction of open spaces” in the city, which was scheduled at Patrakar Bhavan. No reason was given for the cancellation

Members of a civil society in Mumbai decided to boycott an event on a civic issue organised by Congress’ Mumbai unit after its chief Sanjay Nirupam called the Army’s surgical strikes across the LoC “fake”.

Members of a civil society decided to boycott an event organised by Congress’ Mumbai after its chief Sanjay Nirupam called the Army’s surgical strikes across the LoC fake. (HT photo)

The party later cancelled the panel discussion, on the alleged “abduction of open spaces” in the city, which was scheduled at Patrakar Bhavan. No reason was given for the cancellation.

The civil society members, including former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, Anandini Thakur, RTI activist Bhaskar Prabhu and others had on Tuesday decided to pull out as panellists following after Nirupam’s remarks. Gandhi, told Nirupam of their decision not to attend the discussion through an email.

“It pains all Indians to hear an Indian national talking in such a manner and providing support to Pakistan’s stand,” he said in the email.

“We found Nirupam’s questioning of the authenticity of the surgical strikes and terming them fake as extremely unwarranted and avoidable. After having consultation with other members of the civil society, we decided to keep ourselves away from the meeting organised by Nirupam,” Gandhi told PTI.

However, he said the civil society members will continue their opposition to the alleged abduction of public open spaces in Mumbai.

The opposition parties as well as members of the civil society are not in favour of the Mumbai civic body’s fresh plan to regulate open spaces in the metropolis, and to raise the issue the city unit of Congress had planned a panel discussion on Wednesday.