Protesters at Jantar Mantar stood united against police teams, which assembled on Sunday morning to evict them from their spots, as the deadline for vacating the area as per the National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders ended on Sunday.
Over 50 protesters who have long-term permission to protest at Jantar Mantar stood out against the police and refused to budge from their spot. The police withdrew from the spot as a result, giving one more day to these people to voice their concerns in the heart of the Capital.
“Our banners and posters were torn. The few things we had were kicked to force us away from here. But when everyone finally stood out against the police, they had no other option but to leave,” said T. David Raj, who has been in Delhi to protest against the sale of liquor in Tamil Nadu for the past one year now.
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The green court had on October 5 passed an order banning all demonstrations in the area, stating that blaring loudspeakers in a residential locality such as Jantar Mantar had become a cause of increasing noise pollution.
Alternative venue
The court had suggested that instead of Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan could be made the new protest spot. Since the NGT order, no permission has been sanctioned for gatherings in the area. However, those with permission were given four weeks to evacuate the area. The deadline ended on Sunday.
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Jagjeet Kaur, who has been camping here for the past five-and-a-half years, said she will not move from her spot till her last breath.
“I left my family and my life in Punjab to fight for justice. I am not going to succumb to police bullying. They just want to throw out any voice of dissent to the corner of the city where no one has to bother listening to them,” said Ms. Kaur.
Narrating Sunday’s eviction attempt, Ms. Kaur said the police withdrew only because they were outnumbered by the protesters. The demonstrators are expecting the police to return on Monday and with no backup plan in place, they are hoping for a miracle.
“We have no plan. We only have our willpower and fighting spirit. We will stand our ground till we can,” said Satush Narayan, a protester from Bihar.
Issues of protest
Apart from individual demonstrators, there are large groups protesting at Jantar Mantar at present such as those sitting for implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP), those demanding Gorkhaland and Tamil Nadu farmers demanding waiver of farmer loans.
“We may be here for different reasons but our never say die spirit ties us together. Respect for each others’ cause will help us fight against any authority which tries to uproot us,” said retired Army officer Satguru Singh.
Eviction notice
The demonstrators have received several eviction notices from the Delhi Police and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the final ultimatum coming on October 27.
A public notice issued by the NDMC Chairperson has also been placed at the site, quoting the NGT order and prohibiting public gathering or dharna at the site. “We have also been making announcements in the area for the benefit of the occupants. The idea is to carry out the eviction peacefully,” said Ajay Kumar, chief security officer at the NDMC.