Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president M.M. Hassan will stage a protest at Gandhi Park on January 7, demanding that protests in front of the Secretariat be prohibited. He sought an alternative site for protests in the State capital.
Addressing a press meet on Thursday along with members of the Nehru Centre, Mr. Hassan said the protests in front of the Secretariat were a major inconvenience to the public. Traffic was affected and normal life in the State capital was derailed by them.
He said his protest was not against protests, since to protest was a democratic right. But protests should not inconvenience others.
Other States had dedicated spaces, like the Ram Lila Maidan in Delhi, to stage protests. Here, there were other options such as the Putharikandam maidan, Poojapura, or the Shanghumughom beach. The most suitable site should be chosen by the government after discussions with all stakeholders.
Nehru Centre general secretary M.R. Thampan said more than 50 cultural and literary organisations, apart from residents’ associations in the city, had already expressed their solidarity with the cause.
Traders’ organisations too had said they would support the protest, he said. The protest on January 7 would be inaugurated by Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis at 11 a.m. at the Gandhi Park here, he added.
