A delegation of political parties, democratic organisations, and social groups met Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and sought his intervention in the government’s plan to shift Dharna Chowk from Indira Park.
The delegation, which included TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, BJP president K. Lakshman, Telangana TDP president L. Ramana, CPI president Chada Venkata Reddy; National BC Welfare Association president R. Krishnaiah, and MRPS founder Manda Krishna Madiga, submitted a memorandum accusing the State government of snuffing out dissent.
The Dharna Chowk was the epicentre of the Telangana agitation and the ruling party had also used it to propagate its views and express its dissent. Now, shifting the same venue out of the city showcases the government’s intention to snuff out any exhibition of displeasure or dissent by the people. They said Dharna Chowk has been in existence for over two decades and has seen several protests by the ruling party. In fact, the Telangana agitation had also heralded in a new era in the fight for a democratic and rights-centric State of Telangana. The same spirit was now being demolished citing frivolous reasons like traffic.
Citing Jantar Mantar in Delhi, they said it has long been the epicentre for peaceful protests for people from across the country and has seen some historic movements. No government has shifted it.
The leaders said the Supreme Court mandates that only minimal and reasonable restrictions be imposed to ensure law and order was maintained when a peaceful democratic assembly was protesting. The Governor, they said, should intervene and ensure that Dharna Chowk was not shifted from the city.
