Activists demand protest spots near assembly and secretariat

Jaipur: Members of Soochna Evam Rozgar (SAR) Abhiyan, an association of social activist groups, held a one-day dharna at Shaheed Smarak, near the Jaipur police commissioner's office, on Thursday in which more than 300 people from almost every district of the state participated.Later, a delegation including Nikhil Dey, Kavita Srivastav, Mukesh Nirishta, Shankar Singh and Smt Manju met minister of state for home affairs, Jawahar Singh Bedham, to demand two separate places for holding dharnas and protests near the legislative assembly and the secretariat.The minister said he will discuss it with the cabinet, a member of the delegation said.The delegation also met leader of opposition Tikaram Jully. "The opposition should also protect the Constitutional rights of people who protest for their demands," said a member of the delegation. He said Jully told them that theirs was an absolutely legitimate demand which he will raise at the assembly and pursue with the govt.Nikhil Dey of SAR said, "In a democracy, if the govt does not provide space for protests, then how will people demand accountability from it? There should always be a place for protests.

Space should be identified for this and allotted around the Vidhan Sabha and secretariat."Human rights activist Kavita Srivastav said, "Protest is a Constitutional right of people and the govt should provide space for this. We will continue this fight for our Constitutional rights until we get space for protests."

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