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Delhi

Anna not allowed to fast at Jantar Mantar

Delhi Police on Thursday refused permission to Team Anna to hold an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar. The team had requested for the venue  from 25 July. Police contended that the timing coincided with the Monsoon Session of Parliament, when other outfits also need space.

The Anna-led activists did not buy the argument and said they will hold the protest there only or in jail, while accusing Home Minister P Chidambaram for the the denial of permission to hold the fast at the capital’s dharna hotspot.

Team Anna had announced the indefinite protest against the UPA-led government on the issue of corruption and its alleged failure to enact a strong Lokpal Bill. They also accused the government of not setting up a Special Investigation Team to probe charges against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and 14 of his cabinet colleagues.

In a letter to Team Anna, Delhi Police said, during the proposed period of the fast, the Monsoon Session of Parliament will be on and Jantar Mantar will see a huge rush of various organisations coming to hold dharna or demonstrations.

‘This place has a limited capacity and keeping in mind equitable distribution of space for everyone, each organisation will be permitted to bring only a very limited number of supporters. A gathering larger than the capacity is vulnerable to stampede and other security related-issues,’ it said.

‘Keeping in view the position explained above, the permission to hold a fast at Jantar Mantar continuously from 25 July to 8 August cannot be acceded to,’ the letter said, adding that Team Anna can contact police for a mutually acceptable venue.

The letter also noted that special security arrangements will be required and they will cause undue strain on the limited capacity of Jantar Mantar.

Reacting to the police letter, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, ‘Official reason (to deny permission) – Parliament in session. Are MPs scared of people of India? How far do they want people to stay away from them?’

‘It is dangerous for democracy if Parliament and MPs start getting scared of people. Real reason is that Chidambaram is behind the denial. Anshan will take place – either at Jantar Mantar or in jail,’ he said.
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