Expressed anguish over the recent forceful eviction of the Bhagana gang-rape victims by Delhi police from Jantar Mantar, an apolitical organisation today called upon the people to come forward to safeguard the democratic fabric of the country.
The members of Jan Awaaz termed the incident as an attack on the right to free speech and expression, as they gathered here at Jantar Mantar on the 39th anniversary of the Emergency.
"The incident was a spectre of an 'Emergency' like surveillance by law enforcement agency to muzzle any expression of dissent," said D Raja, CPI leader.
"Government is backed by the corporate houses and dictated by the right wing forces of India. Even if we do not have food to eat, we should have the freedom of speech and expression," Raja said.
Nikhil Dey from Mazdoor Kishan Shakti Sangthan and National Campaign for People's Right to Information (NCPRI) said that previously, India Gate was the centre to hold protests but it was restricted due to security reasons.
"Now the centre is stopping protesters to hold protests at Jantar Mantar. This is a violation on the rights of free speech and expression as enshrined in the Constitution," he said.
Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar narrated the circumstances and the situation in which the emergency was imposed.
He said the new generation should know about the emergency and work to protect the democracy.
"The vans carrying newspapers were stopped by the police and the electricity supply to the publication houses was snapped. We should not take the democratic framework of rights for granted and there should be constant vigilance," Nayar said.
