Waving the Tricolour and chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’, “Bharat Mata ki Jai” scores of people participated in a ‘Samvidhan Sankalp March’ organised by various groups led by Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Saturday against “attacks on the community” and with the intention of saying the country will run according to the Constitution and not the Sharia. The march began from the Mandi House area and will culminate at Jantar Mantar. Commuters who were traveling to Central Delhi faced slow movement of traffic due to the march despite the traffic police advisory in advance regarding their arrangements for the event to ensure motorists face less inconvenience.
A large crowd of people marched from Mandi House, via Barakhamba Road and Tolstoy Marg, to Jantar Mantar, with several roads in the area remaining closed to traffic. People belonging to units of the Rashtriya Hindu Vahini, VHP, and Sewa Bharti were among those who marched. One of the demands being raised was the death penalty for those who killed Kanhaiya Lal and Umesh Kolhe. BJP leaders Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga and Kapil Mishra were also present in the march. BJP leader Kapil Mishra said that the march is meant to be a message that the country will run according to the constitution and not the sharia.
“The death of Kanhaiya Lal, Umesh Kolhe…jihadi modules are becoming active. It is not just sloganeering, they are implementing it. This is the message of Hindu ekta. Lakhs of people have gathered here. Jan mein rosh bhi hain, aakrosh bhi hain,” he said. Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta, said “Bharat samvidhan se chalta hain, dharmik kanoon se nahi chalta hain. Nobody has the right to take the law into their hands.”
A public meeting at Jantar Mantar saw former North Delhi mayor Avtar Singh issue a warning that those who target Hindus "will not be spared". Citing the recent killing of a tailor in Rajasthan's Udaipur, Vishva Hindu Parishad international working president Alok Kumar claimed Hindus are being attacked everywhere.
Several roads in central Delhi has been closed temporarily due to the march. Apart from cops on ground, the march was also being monitored through drones. Police have expected that nearly 7,000 people would participate in the event organised in the wake of the recent killings of Hindus by Muslims, said a police officer, who did not want to be named. According to the traffic advisory, the rally that will commence from Mandi House will take Barakhambha Road and Tolstoy Marg to reach Jantar Mantar. To facilitate smooth flow of traffic, only pedestrians have been allowed on at least nine important roads from 8.30am to 2pm. These roads are Sikandara Road, Barakhambha Road, Copernicus Marg, Feroz Shah Road, Bhagwan Das Road, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Tolstoy Marg, Sandad Marg -- from Outer Circle Connaught Place to Patel Chowk -- and Janpath -- from Outer Circle Connaught Place to Windsor Place roundabout.
Commuters using vehicles are requested to plan their journey in advance accordingly and advised to avoid the mentioned roads for their convenience,” said deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi traffic range) Aalap Patel.
The traffic police said they have deployed an adequate number of traffic personnel to manage the traffic and guide motorists about the alternate routes.