Anna Hazare’s team on Saturday rejected as “unacceptable” and “unconstitutional” Delhi Police’s restrictions on the fast to be undertaken by the social activist.
Prashant Bhushan, noted Supreme Court lawyer, said the police asking for an undertaking from the organisers that they would vacate the venue in three days is a “clear violation of our fundamental rights.”
“Now the police are saying that you (organisers) first given an undertaking that you will move out of the place in 2 days or so. This is unacceptable and unconstitutional and the Supreme Court in a number of occasions said protest is one of the basic fundamental rights of a citizen,” he said.
Fast is one of the most peaceful and non-violent means of protest and how can the police say they will not give permission, Mr. Bhushan asked, saying the protest may be for 10 days.
“The Supreme Court has also held that this right cannot be restricted by acquiring permission and so on. We sought police’s permission only to avoid a confrontation with them. They have been making us run around for the past 15 days,” he claimed.
“Therefore, it appears to be game being played by the authorities,” he alleged and said this could even lead to a “movement of civil disobedience” across the country.
Asked about Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s remarks on Friday that the government was moving towards passing Lokpal bill, Mr. Bhushan said the Government’s Bill is a “totally sarkari one which is a corruption-promotion bill.”
“The bill terrorises and penalises people who file complaints against bureaucrats and politicians. Under the bill, the corrupt people have been given the kind of unnecessary, unneeded and unconstitutional protection,” he alleged.
