Paying fees mandatory to protest against injustice, illegality!
This is an order of the State Police Department
Mangaluru, Jan 18: Raising voice against injustice and illegality is one of the rights of the people. Usually people organise protests, Dharnas, condemnation meetings to raise their voice. And yes, this is a democratic life.
It is common that depending on the circumstances, people from various organisations keep on protesting in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Tahsildar, Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat, Gram Panchayat, and Police Department almost every day.
But now, to suppress these struggles, the state government has ordered to collect the fixed fees for giving permissions to organise private meetings, conventions, and protests.
As such, the Mangaluru City Police Department has started collecting fees. To use loudspeakers in a programme, people must pay Rs. 75 for the first day, then it can be continued by paying Rs. 15 per day after that. That means, Rs. 450 per month. Besides that, it has asked to pay. Rs. 500 per day for a peaceful assembly and march.
There is an attempt to suppress struggles through this rule that is dangerous for democracy. DYFI has always been involved in the struggles. We got this information when we went to the police station seeking permission to protest against BJP's resort politics. The government should drop this rule immediately. The police department must clarify what this order says about religious and social programs. Can farmers and beedi workers pay a fee if they want to struggle against injustice?
-Muneer Katipalla, DYFI president
The state government has instructed to collect the fixed amount of fee to permit protests at the end of the last year. Now we are implementing it. No clear indications has come regarding mass protests and padayatras. Whatever instruction comes from the governemnt, It will be followed.
-TR. Suresh, Commissioner, Mangalore City Police
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Waqf Bill anti-secular, will snatch rights of Muslims: Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday described the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as “anti-secular”, claiming that it would snatch the rights of Muslims.
Banerjee, speaking in the assembly, also said the Centre did not consult with states over the matter.
“The bill is anti-federal and anti-secular; it is a deliberate attempt to malign a particular section. It will snatch the rights of Muslims... The Centre did not consult with us on the Waqf Bill,” she said.
The chief minister added that “if any religion was attacked”, she would wholeheartedly condemn it.
Opposition parties have stridently criticised the amendments proposed by the bill in the existing Waqf Act, alleging that they violate the religious rights of Muslims.
The ruling BJP has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency in the functioning of the Waqf boards and make them accountable.
A parliamentary committee has been constituted to scrutinise the contentious bill.
