Khurana, Uma court arrest on sealing issue

New Delhi, Apr 15: Suspended BJP leader Madan Lal Khurana and expelled party leader Uma Bharti, along with hundreds of activists of the Delhi Bachao Morcha, today courted arrest on the issue of sealing of shops and demolition of unauthorised constructions.

Mr Khurana and Mr Bharti were arrested when they, along with the activists, were proceeding from Jantar Mantar to the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to submit a memorandum to him demanding the issuance of an Ordinance to halt the ongoing sealing and demolition operations in the capital and ensure passing of a Bill in Parliament to grant full statehood to Delhi.

In the memorandum to the Prime Minister, Mr Khurana has also called for strict action against big builders who he alleged colluded in the construction of unauthorised buildings in the capital.

Earlier, addressing the activists of the Morcha gathered at the Jantar Mantar, firebrand Uma Bharti alleged that the Multinational Corporations were behind the current drive for demolition of unauthorised units and sealing of shops in residential areas.

''On one hand, small shops are being sealed and dwellings of common people razed, the Government is turning a blind eye to the hundreds of shopping malls under construction in various areas of Delhi,''Ms Bharti said.

She alleged that the sealing of shops in Delhi was part of a design of multinationals to render Indian traders out of business so that they could flood Indian market with their own products which were much costlier compared to the indigenous ones.

''As part of their designs they are first striking at businesses in Delhi as it is the heart of India,'' she said.

''Till now, one came across reports of farmers in several parts of India committing suicides due to the policies of the government. Now, this Black order for sealing of shops in residential areas is driving small traders and their employees on the brink of suicide,''Ms Bharti said.

''It is not merely an attack on traders and common people in Delhi but one on Indian people by foreign forces who are out to subjugate them under their economic clout,''she said.

Demanding the Government to come out with an Ordinance to regularise commercial units in residential areas, she said,''if an Ordinance can be brought for regularising unauthorised constructions in Ulhasnagar, why can't the same thing be done in Delhi too.'' ''It is indeed a matter of shame that common people, small traders and their families are being divested of their sources of livelihood for the sake of beautification of Delhi,''she said.

Lauding the initiative taken by Mr Khurana for launching the Delhi Bachao Morcha to halt the sealing of shops in Delhi, she said,''if we are successful in our struggle against the designs of the MNCs in Delhi, they will be halted in their tracks and not ever again dream of seizing control over the Indian economy.'' Prominent among others present at the gathering were former minister in the Delhi Government Rajender Gupta, Dayanand Chandela and Akali Leader Paramjeet Pamma.

UNI