Activists, writers urge CM Siddaramaiah to withdraw order curbing protests in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Ahead of the International Day of Democracy on September 15, 2024, notable authors, activists along with progressive and democratic groups have urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to withdraw the order restricting protests to Freedom Park in Bengaluru.
The group released an open letter to the CM which was signed by more than 500 people, including historian Ramachandra Guha, senior writer K. Marulasiddappa, Rahamat Tarikere, Dr Vijayamma, activist K.S. Vimala, among others. The letter criticised the Licensing and Regulation of Protests, Demonstrations, and Protest Marches (Bengaluru City) Order, 2021, which confines protests to Freedom Park and mandates prior police approval.
Signatories noted that the order infringes upon freedom of speech and expression, leading to shrinking of democratic spaces. The open letter stated, “For over two years, the police have restricted protests in any place other than Freedom Park, and have refused permission for processions. This marks a complete change from what was previously being followed when protests were permitted across the city. More so, even in Freedom Park, the police is arbitrarily and unconstitutionally censoring what citizens can protest for/against.”
Writer-historian Ramachandra Guha criticised the order, suggesting that Freedom Park could be renamed to reflect its new role, such as “Where Freedom is Hidden Away Park” or “Unfreedom Park.” He emphasised that the order contradicts the foundational values of peaceful protest that were integral to India's independence movement.
In addition to requesting the withdrawal of the restrictive order, the letter called for the dismissal of FIRs filed against individuals exercising their right to protest and for a criminal investigation into police officers involved in the violent crackdown on protestors.
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DHL cargo plane crashes in Lithuania
Vilnius (AP/PTI): A DHL cargo plane crashed Monday morning near the Lithuanian capital.
The Lithuanian airport authority identified the aircraft as a “DHL cargo plane flying from Leipzig, Germany, to Vilnius Airport.”
It posted on the social platform X that city services including a fire truck were on site.
DHL Group, headquartered in Bonn, Germany, did not immediately return a call for comment.
