Uttar Pradesh opposition parties slam new protest guidelines

Lucknow, April 28: The Opposition today (April 28) termed the new tougher guidelines for holding protest demonstrations in Uttar Pradesh as "undemocratic" and "akin to undeclared emergency."

"The (ruling) BSP does not believe in democracy or its principles and the fresh move is yet another indication of its fascist thinking," Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary told PTI.

"The BSP has never participated in any of the people's movement and this move is to check other political parties from highlighting the issues concerning the people of the state as well as the shortcomings of the BSP misrule," Chaudhary said.

The BJP spokesperson Vijay Pathak said the order to penalise the political parties and social organisations for the damage to public or private property during demonstrations, processions and strikes is "akin to undeclared emergency."

"In democracy it is the right of political parties and others to air their views against the government and the Uttar Pradesh government is out to gag all voices of dessent...(this is) akin to undeclared emergency."

The Congress Congress spokesperson Subodh Srivasatava termed the move as a fascist method to gag people from protesting the ruling establishment . "This only proves the fears of the ruling party."

Principal Secretary (Home) Kunwar Fateh Bahadur, yesterday, said: "In case of damage to public or private property, compensation would be realised from the organisers and legal action be taken. In case of political party it will be the responsibility of the district, state and national presidents."

Bahadur said in case of non-payment of compensation, it would be realised like land revenue, as noted that the organisers would be required to give an undertaking that their agitation would be peaceful.

PTI