Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Several social activists and organisations in the city have condemned the decision of the Bhopal police to deny permission to a peaceful dharna against the arrest of human rights defender Teesta Setalwad and former Gujarat DGP RB Shreekumar.
LS Herdenia (Rashtriya Secular Manch), Asha Mishra (Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti), Shailendra Shaili (Communist Party of India), Javed Anis and others said in a press release that dharna was scheduled to be held near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Bhavan at 5.30 pm on to protest against the arbitrary arrests of Teesta and Shreekumar.The local police, however, refused permission to hold the event, citing enforcement of election model code in city.
Police denying permission to peaceful protests does not augur well for the health of democracy. Asha Mishra told the Free Press that the police used election model code of conduct as an excuse to deny permission. This is very sad and disappointing, she added.
