– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: Several political parties and progressive groups held a joint sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. They raised concerns over the steady erosion of democratic rights and growing restrictions on peaceful protests in Delhi.
The Delhi Committee of CPI (ML) New Democracy organized the protest. Many civil society, democratic, and workers’ organizations joined in. Protesters slammed the clampdown on dissent and accused the government of imposing an undeclared emergency. They said Delhi is now a “no-protest” zone.
CPI (ML) New Democracy’s Delhi spokesperson Mrigank said, “The country is in a state worse than the Emergency. The fascist regime has taken over democratic institutions and is silencing all opposition.”
Speakers from IFTU, CPI(M), PUCL, AIFRTE, AIDWA, KYS, RWPI, Janhastakshep, and PMS Delhi expressed concern. They said basic rights like freedom of speech and the right to protest are under attack. Even Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site, is now barricaded, heavily policed, and controlled with strict rules.
Now, a 10-day prior notice is required for any protest at Jantar Mantar. Section 144 is permanently enforced in all of New Delhi. This blocks protests near government offices, Parliament, and state Bhawans. Protesters said similar restrictions are being imposed in industrial areas and workplaces, where protest permissions are often denied.
During the protest, a joint memorandum was sent to Delhi’s Chief Minister. Copies were also sent to the Delhi Police Commissioner and Union Home Minister. The memorandum demanded:
Removal of permanent Section 144 in central Delhi,
Restoration of protest rights with simple prior notice,
Full access to protest sites like Jantar Mantar,
Permission for delegations to submit memoranda in person.
All participating organizations signed the memorandum. Protesters noted that even delegations are not allowed to meet officials or submit documents now, which shows a growing crackdown on democratic processes.
The protest was addressed by Com. Mrigank (Delhi Spokesperson, CPI (ML) New Democracy), Dr. Animesh Das (President, Delhi IFTU Committee), Com. Anurag (Delhi Secretary, CPI(M)), Nandita Narain (Democratic Teachers’ Front – DTF), Advocate N.D. Pancholi (Veteran Leader, PUCL), Com. Yogesh (Revolutionary Workers Party of India – RWPI), Com. Madhu Prasad (All India Forum for Right to Education – AIFRTE), Com. Niranjan (CPI(ML) Red Star), Com. Umakant (Spokesperson, CPI(ML) Mass Line), Com. Asha (Vice President, Delhi Committee of AIDWA), Com. Prithvi (Krantikari Yuva Sangathan – KYS), Com. Munna Prasad (Inquilabi Mazdoor Kendra – IMK), Com. Satyaveer (Krantikari Mazdoor Morcha – KMM Faridabad), Com. Thaku Khanal (Chairman, Mool Pravaha Akhil Bharat Nepali Ekta Samaj), Rohit (Delhi Convenor, Progressive Democratic Students Union – PDSU), Manmohan (PDSU, JNU), Com. Vikas Bajpai (Convenor, Janhastakshep), Retd. Prof. Dr. Ish Mishra (Janhastakshep), and Poonam Kaushik (General Secretary, PMS Delhi).
Com. Mrigank concluded the protest by warning that if the government or police does not respond, a bigger and coordinated protest campaign will be launched. He said the struggle will go on until full democratic rights and protest freedoms are restored in Delhi.
