Bengaluru Civil Society groups demand repeal of order limiting protests to Freedom Park

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, members of Janandolana which is a coalition of progressive and democratic groups and individuals, came together to demand that the right to protest be protected and the unreasonable restrictions imposed be withdrawn.

Bengaluru Police on October 2 detained several protestors affiliated to Horatada Hakkigaagi Janandolana as they held a demonstration opposing the Licensing and Regulation of Protests, Demonstrations, and Protest Marches (Bengaluru City) Order, 2021, that was brought into effect in January, 2022, which deems protests outside Freedom Park in the City illegal.

Earlier, during the BJP government led by Minister Basavaraj, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner had issued an order restricting all protests to Freedom Park, one of the reasons being the traffic snarls the marches resulted in. However, civil society groups say the decision has made protests invisible.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, members of Janandolana which is a coalition of progressive and democratic groups and individuals, came together to demand that the right to protest be protected and the unreasonable restrictions imposed be withdrawn.

“For over a year and a half, the police have restricted protests, public gatherings in any place other than Freedom Park, and have refused permissions for processions. This has caused enormous hardship to all those seeking to protest the violation of their fundamental rights,” said Vinay Sreenivas from Horatada Hakkigaagi Janandolana and an advocate. He cited several instances of protesters being denied permission and cases slapped.

Members of Horatada Hakkigaagi Janandolana stated that they defy the order and will keep exercising their Right to Freedom of Expression.

Maitreyi Krishnan, another group member, said, “We reject this order as it is unconstitutional. In May, workers participating in a May Day rally were met with police action, and last November, the pride march was prohibited.”

The police, however, have maintained that the order followed a direction from the Karnataka High Court.