Twitter
Advertisement

NGT ban ‘madness’, say Jantar Mantar residents

Female protesters have complained against the shift to Ramlila Grounds saying it was home to drug dealers and unsafe for women

Latest News
article-main
Residents of Jantar Manter had moved the court after they could not find a recourse from civic authorities or Delhi police.
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Delhi’s favourite protest square Jantar Mantar is set to be stripped of slogans and agitations with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordering a complete ban on the protests and use of loudspeakers in the area. The protesters have been asked to move to Ramlila Grounds. 

The green court also asked the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to clear garbage and solid waste from Jantar Mantar Road and clean the entire area. 

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Raghuvendra S. Rathore, passed a detailed judgment in this regard while hearing a plea of Jantar Mantar residents. The residents had moved the court on the grounds that Jantar Mantar, designated as a residential area, is a constant source of noise, congestion and garbage that is posing a health hazard and disturbing peace in the area. 

The bench observed in its judgment that while citizens have a right to free speech and expression using loud speakers, others too have a right to not listen. “Undoubtedly, freedom of speech and right to expression are fundamental rights but they are not absolute. Nobody can, as a right, create noise by amplifying the sound of his speech with the help of loudspeakers. While one has a right to speech, others have a right to listen or decline to listen,” the bench said. 

The judgment noted that the residents had moved court only after they could not find a recourse from either the municipal authorities or the Delhi Police. 

“The respondents have failed to act against the violators despite there being specific provisions of law under the Noise Pollution Rules of 2000. The grievance of the applicant is also that the respondents have failed to respond to their representations. In fact, none of the respondents have responded to any of the representations,” the judgment said. 

The protesters and agitators were surprised and furious over the NGT’s order to evacuate them and shift them to Ramlila Grounds “immediately”. Hundreds of protesters living in make-shift camps were found talking to each other over the order  and termed it “incorrect” and “madness.” 

Any noise which has the effect of materially interfering with the ordinary comforts of life, judged by the standard of a reasonable man, is a nuisance, the judgment added. 

A number of female protesters complained that Ramlila Grounds is home to drug dealers, and they would not move out of Jantar Mantar.  “If they will move us from here we will make the PM’s house our next protest venue. NGT says to go and protest at a place that is frequented by druggist and snatchers. How insensitive is this tribunal,” said Jagit Kaur.

THE ORDER

  • A two-member bench, headed by Justice Raghuvendra S. Rathore, passed a detailed judgment.
     
  • The bench observed in its judgment that while citizens have a right to free speech and expression using loud speakers, others too have a right to not listen.
     
  • The protesters have been asked to move to Ramlila Grounds.

PROMINENT PROTESTS

Anna Hazare hunger strike

Jantar Mantar had become a symbol of public agitation when anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare held an indefinite hunger strike demanding formation of a joint committee, comprising members of the government and of civil society, to draft tougher anti-corruption legislation. The protest made headlines for days and is considered as historic in India’s political movement. 

JNU sedition row protest

Between February and March, 2016, Jantar Mantar witnessed multiple protests following the “sedition row” on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus leading to the arrest of three students including varsity’s union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Students from across the universities and colleges, along with the activists and scholars took out marches, and candle light walks demanding the release of student activists.

One Rank One Pension

Taking their demand of implementing One Rank One Pension — “same pension, for same rank, for same length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement,” hundreds of retired Army personnel held month long agitation from June 15 to August 17, 2015 at Jantar Mantar. Two veterans also observed an indefinite hunger strike during that period. 

Farmers’ protest

Demanding drought relief funds, waiver of agricultural loans and a better Minimum Support Price from the Centre, scores of farmers from Tamil Nadu have been protesting at Jantar Mantar for the last three months. During their protest, these farmers have resorted to several dramatic and gruesome protest tactics such as holding up skulls of other farmers who had committed suicide under debt, stripping in front of the PMO, keeping mice and snakes in their mouth.

Land Acquisition Bill protest

In April 2015, a 41-year-old farmer from Rajasthan hung himself from a tree at Jantar Mantar amid the gathering of thousands of people at a farmers rally called by the Aam Aadmi Party to protest against the land acquisition Bill. The incident triggered a political slugfest.

Minutes before hanging himself, Gajendra Singh, had threw down a note saying “Give me a solution so I can return home”.

 

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement