New Delhi, Oct. 27 -- The Delhi Police on Tuesday clarified that it had no objection to the Congress holding a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, from 10 am to 5 pm, contradicting the party's claim that authorities were obstructing its protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The police said its no-objection certificate (NOC) remained valid, subject to permission from the land-owning authority and compliance with conditions governing security, public order and speeches. The clarification came after Congress general secretary K C Venugopal alleged that permission for a proposed event at the government-run Ashoka Hotel had been withdrawn following police intervention. The event was planned for October 30, with 21 INDIA bloc parties expected to participate in a "public impeachment" of Kumar ahead of the November 1 rally.
Venugopal said party workers had been stopped while setting up infrastructure at the hotel. He accused the Centre of attempting to silence the opposition and warned that the parties could stage a demonstration outside the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah if prevented from proceeding. Delhi Police sources said the proposed event at Ashoka Hotel was a matter for the hotel, as the premises were privately owned. The police maintained that approval for the Ramlila Maidan rally had not been withdrawn. According to the conditions communicated to Congress headquarters in a letter dated October 17, organisers must install high-definition CCTV cameras at strategic locations, including entrances, exits and the stage, and establish a control room with at least five monitoring screens. Adequate water tankers, separate toilet facilities for women and identifiable volunteers must also be provided.
The rally must conclude by 5 pm, with no overnight stay permitted. Organisers have been directed to prevent speeches that could disturb communal harmony. If a speaker delivers an inflammatory or intimidating speech, the public address system must be switched off and the speaker removed from the stage.
The opposition parties are protesting against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and alleged electoral irregularities, demanding Kumar's resignation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.