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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, June 19: Demonstrations, rallies and processions are fast becoming the scourge of Delhi. Pressure groups of vastly varying sizes and political hues find marches down some of the capital8217;s busiest thoroughfares the most ideal way to 8220;get heard and seen.8221; And every time there is a sit-in dharna or a protest march, Delhi8217;s often overstretched police force invariably bear the brunt. So much so, the so-called elite Rapid Action Force, meant to be deployed at short notice for potentially explosive situations like communal tension, is often called upon to accompany even relatively thin processions that snake their way through the capital8217;s thick traffic.
In a democracy, the right to protest is conventionally considered inviolable but harried Delhi-ites could well begin to wonder whether the disruptions caused are always justifiable.
Since the beginning of this year, policemen have been busy maintaining law and order on 303 such demonstrations. Of these, 62 were staged by political parties and 241 by apolitical organisations.
The situation was similar last year between January and June with 283 demonstrations 8212; 46 political and 237 apolitical 8212; recorded.
Figures available with the Delhi Police also show that the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party have either directly taken part in most of the protests or supported other organisations from outside.These demonstrations usually reach a peak whenever Parliament is in session, especially before and after the Budget is presented in the Lok Sabha.
The most preferred places to stage such protests, says DCP Headquarters II Mohan Kudaisya, are: near Jantar Manatar, Red Fort, Darya Ganj, Rajghat, FSK Ground, Press area on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Police continued on page 4
