Bidari’s decision invites wrath of organisations

Bidari’s decision invites wrath of organisations
Wednesday August 20 2008 12:11 IST
Manojkumar H Guddi | ENS

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BANGALORE: The recent decision of Bangalore City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari to bring restrictions to hold demonstrations, which affect public life has invited wrath from many trade unions, students’ unions, women’s organisations and other civil society organisations.

According to the Commissioner, rasta rokos or processions, marches and rallies in the City should not hamper the traffic for beyond 10 minutes and violation of the same is a criminal offence.

The Commissioner also suggested to hold demonstrations at Bannappa Park, Malleswaram Ground and on the National College premises.

Terming the decision as anti-democratic move, State Secretary of Communist Party of India (CPI) Siddangouda Patil said: "Protesting the government’s anti-people policies is a common phenomenon in any democratic country. We cannot stop the protest marches on road. If the commissioner wants to take action, we are ready to face that."

State Secretary of All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) V N Rajashekhar said: "Protest is the minimum right to resist the anti-students’ policies of the Government. When the authority trying to implement such policies, naturally protests will be there."

The Commissioner had taken the decision without consulting the public or representatives of organisation.

If the Government wanted to stop such protests it should solve problems first, said S Varalakhsmi, State Secretary of Centre for Indian Trade Unions(CITU).

Ningondappa, a BMTC driver said: "Of course, the public face inconvenience during protests. But, the traffic is hit not only during the protest marches, but also affected due to increasing vehicles, lack of infrastructure and road widening works.

Peace protest marches can be held for highlighting demands." Chandrashekhar B G, an employee in an private company says that since the protest demonstrations are intended to draw attention of the public, organisations can hold protest march on the road.

"In that situation, the police should do traffic arrangements instead of banning the protests on road. It cannot be banned in a democratic country like India.

Gandhiji, Netaji, Bhagat Singh had selected their ways of protests. But, now our own system does not allow such demonstrations. It is essential to hold discussions with the public, civil society organisations and the government before implementing such decisions," he added.