No police permission yet, but Hazare’s fast on (Second Lead)
June 7th, 2011 - 3:58 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, June 7 (IANS) As police 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 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 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.
- Team Anna to fast at Rajghat, slams government (Third Lead) - Jun 07, 2011
- Team Anna shifts protest venue to Rajghat - Jun 07, 2011
- Prohibitory orders put question mark on Hazare's fast - Jun 05, 2011
- Hazare team to boycott Lokpal Bill meeting, to fast June 8 (Second Lead) - Jun 05, 2011
- Police mum on Hazare request for fast - Aug 01, 2011
- Police 'no' to fast, says Team Hazare, to protest (Lead) - Jun 07, 2011
- Ramdev returns to Ramlila Maidan for three-day fast (Roundup) - Aug 09, 2012
- Hazare to fast to protest crackdown against Ramdev - Jun 05, 2011
- Nationwide protests against black money Sunday: Ramdev - Jun 01, 2012
- Anna, team to boycott Lokpal Bill meeting; fast June 8 (Lead) - Jun 05, 2011
- Ramdev, Hazare to fast against corruption (Lead) - Jun 01, 2012
- Hazare begins fast, demands passage of Jan Lokpal bill (Evening Lead) - Jul 29, 2012
- Ramdev to meet president - Aug 17, 2011
- Prohibitory orders to be imposed ahead of Anna fast - Jul 29, 2011
- Crowds swell as Ramdev comes to Team Anna's fast site (Lead) - Jul 27, 2012
Tags: anna hazare, arvind kejriwal, central delhi, civil society activists, crackdown, delhi police, fasting and praying, fundamental right, guru ramdev, imposition, intimation, law and order, mantar, New Delhi, police district, police districts, police official, ramlila, social activist, yoga guru