Stating that many groups from all over the country would come to Jantar Mantar to hold dharnas in view of the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) K.C. Dwivedi on Monday said no one particular group could be allowed to usurp indefinitely the place meant for every citizen of the country to exercise his/her democratic rights.
Speaking in the context of the proposed dharna by Team Anna at Jantar Mantar, Mr. Dwivedi said India Against Corruption, the organisation corresponding on behalf of Anna Hazare for permission to fast at Jantar Mantar with effect from August 16, had in their letter dated July 29 informed them that the fast would be for an indefinite period and that a substantial number of protestors would accompany him.
“This response is very vague and evasive in view of the fact that Jantar Mantar has a limited capacity of accommodating approximately 1,500 people. This capacity has been further reduced due to certain restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on how to stage a rally/ protest/ demonstration. Very large and uncontrolled crowd at a place with limited capacity may lead to stampede thus causing harm to the people gathered there and their property,” he added.
