Ramlila Maidan became one of Delhi’s new designated protest venues just days ago. Now, traders want a planned Congress rally there shifted, saying another round of traffic restrictions could hurt businesses ahead of Diwali.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohit Rajbir Singh said the party approached police after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi confirmed availability of the ground. Another group, Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, has written to the Lieutenant Governor, Delhi Police Commissioner and MCD Commissioner seeking cancellation or relocation of an INDIA bloc programme proposed at Ramlila Maidan. Congress would now take the police certificate to the civic body for the booking process. The disagreement has already reached the courts.
The letter refers to a proposed programme from October 29 to November 3. Delhi Police, however, said that it had issued Congress a no-objection certificate for a rally on November 1. On October 11, Delhi Police named Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as designated demonstration venues, removing Jantar Mantar from the list.
“They have a right to protest, we have a right to livelihood,” it said. On Friday, the Supreme Court declined to issue an immediate order on a separate plea over protests at Connaught Place, with Chief Justice Surya Kant observing, “We hope better sense will prevail on everyone.”
