With protest rallies and demonstrations turning into major public nuisance causing considerable inconvenience to locals and visitors routinely in Dehradun, questions are being raised about the stance of the authorities towards those exercising their democratic right to protest in a non-violent manner for some years now.
In the past, the authorities used to allow protesters in limited numbers to stage protest demonstrations by the roadside outside the Vidhan Sabha which resulted in lesser inconvenience to the public. However, citing factors like ‘disturbance’ and ‘security risk’ purportedly posed to elected public representatives and appointed public servants, the administration made changes in the protest scenario.
Demonstrations were banned and temporary shelter was removed from near the Vidhan Sabha even as protests at Gandhi Park was banned with the authorities directing that protest demonstrations be staged at the designated site on the old Raipur bus stand adjoining the Parade Ground.
These changes and the practice of erecting barriers on important roads including Haridwar Road towards Vidhan Sabha and the New Cantt Road at Hathibadkala towards Raj Bhawan and CM residence have worsened the situation resulting from protests with the public feeling harassed and the police and other resources being deployed on the avoidable and resource consuming challenge of tackling major traffic congestion simultaneously while handling the protesters and trying to get the clogged traffic and irate citizens moving.
A senior official on condition of anonymity, opined that there were comparatively fewer problems for the public and official resources when protesters were allowed in limited numbers to demonstrate outside the Vidhan Sabha. “We are public servants meant to work in public interest and not deprive citizens of their right to protest nonviolently but the Government machinery is being deployed in such a manner that the focus has shifted completely to preventing any ‘disturbance’ to elected public representatives at the cost of public interest.
As ordered, the police stop protesters on main roads before they reach the announced destination. This sets a series of problems including major traffic congestion causing considerable loss to the public in time and fuel money apart from focusing Government efforts to ‘protect’ public representatives and public servants from the public itself.
Officials have to follow orders even when it may exacerbates civic problems. It is not as if only the general public suffers, the police and other staff deployed on the ground also suffer facing the ire of public while trying to resolve the problem with their hands tied by ‘orders from above’,” said the official.
