New Delhi, Aug 15 (ANI): With the war of words between the Centre and civil society activists intensifying over the Jan Lokpal Bill issue, RTI crusader Arvind Kejriwal, a key figure in Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption, on Monday accused the government of creating an 'emergency like situation'.
"I feel the government is trying to create an Emergency-like situation. What is the need to impose Section 144 over there? We do not understand-if we sign the document, there would be law and order problem, but if we do not, a serious situation would arise," said Kejriwal, while criticizing the government for curbing the fundamental right to dissent.
"Since the last 20 years, Anna Hazare and we have been holding protests and campaigns against corruption, but not a single protest of ours has witnessed any violence or untoward incident," he added.
Delhi Police has rejected permission for Hazare's proposed indefinite fast on August 16.
The move came after Hazare refused to give a 'full and proper' undertaking on 22 conditions laid down by the police for the fast
Voicing his displeasure at the authorities' flip-flop over the venue, Kejriwal highlighted the irony of having to take permission from the very people against whom the protest was intended to be.
"Now, just imagine, the people whop are indulging in corruption are also the people who have to give you permission whether you can protest against them. So, therefore, they are saying only 4000 people, only three days, so these are artificial restrictions being imposed," said Kejriwal.
"We are protesting against them and they are trying to dictate, they are trying to create a theatre for us with their own script that this is the script you have to follow. This is unreasonable and this is unjustified and this is unconstitutional," he added.
Meanwhile, another civil society activist, former journalist Manish Sisodia, maintained that protestors would break the restrictions and court arrests if the police took action during the planned strike on August 16.
"A very strange game is being played with us. Earlier, when we applied to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), we were directed to go to the Delhi Police since they were the authorised body. Our application was then sent to the state government, then to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and was returned to the Delhi Police," said Sisodia.
"Now, the police are telling us to go back to the CPWD again. Corrupt officials and leaders are making the Delhi Police play this game. These corrupt people are using the police as a shield. However, we will break Section 144 tomorrow if it is imposed, and will get ourselves arrested," he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi here today to discuss on Hazare's indefinite fast issue. (ANI)
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