PUCL Maharashtra Statement Condemning The Illegal Detention Of Peaceful Protesters
PUCL MAHARASHTRA STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE ILLEGAL DETENTION OF PEACEFUL PROTESTORS, HARASSMENT AND FILING OF CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST 13 PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH A PEACEFUL PRAYER GATHERING IN MUMBAI TO COMMEMORATE THE CHILDREN KILLED IN PALESTINE ON THE OCCASION OF CHILDREN’S DAY
Democracy demands that right to protest be protected not punished!
People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) Maharashtra expresses grave alarm and concern at the increasing trend of criminalising public protest or any form of public expression on social issues and deplores the manner in which police in Mumbai speedily lodge cases against those participating in such democratic events. Especially in the context of the ongoing Israeli war on Palestine resulting in civilian deaths, the Mumbai police has in effect imposed a de facto ban on any form of peaceful public protest by citizens demanding an end to the violence, including the holding of peace gatherings and prayer meetings, even candlelight vigils in public places like the Azad Maidan. In no other part of India do we see this sort of obstruction to the right to protest, as is being seen in Mumbai.