Representatives of various Left parties and people’s organisations demanded revival of ‘Dharna Chowk’ at Indira Park as protest destination, by participating in the relay hunger strike at Makhdoom Bhavan here on Saturday.
CPI(M) State Secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram who took part said that the Telangana state constituted based on democratic aspirations of people, the right to dissent was being curbed in a way worse than the combined State. There is no scope for discussions across the table, as can be seen from the government’s response to protests and strikes.
Referring to the denial of permission for public meetings, first to TJAC, and then to the CPI(M), Mr.Veerabhadram said the government’s ploy was to first deny scope for expression of dissent to state policy by people, and then to deny leadership for the simmering anger.
President of the Revolutionary Democratic Front Varavara Rao said denying the opportunity to achieve rights is worse than denying rights.Raising voice is the natural right of people, which has been enshrined in the Constitution. The police need to be merely informed about protest rallies only in view of traffic diversions. In 2016, it was the first time permission was denied for a meeting inside the closed doors of Sundarayya Vignana Kendram, he noted. CPI State Secretary Chada Venkat Reddy said, the alternative locations suggested by the Commissioner of Police respectively at Shamshabad, Gandi Maisamma, Jawahar Nagar, and Ghatkesar were all outside the city. Representatives from TJAC, CPI(ML) New Democracy, SUCI, Vimalakka from Arunodaya cultural organisation, journalist Pasham Yadagiri, and others spoke at the hunger strike camp, which was inaugurated by former MLC Chukka Ramaiah. TJAC chairperson M. Kodandaram visited the venue in the evening.
On May 15, the protests will culminate into ‘Chalo Indira Park’ programme to occupy the Dharna Chowk location.
