Sharad Yadav vows to defy Jantar Mantar protest ban

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav

Speaking to the media at his residence, senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav decried the ban on protests on the Jantar Mantar road and vowed to defy it by leading a protest in the area.

The ban had been imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on October 5, holding that protest activities were violative of environmental laws. It observed that the Delhi government had “failed” to protect the right to a pollution-free environment of citizens living in the area. It directed the NDMC to remove all temporary structures and public address systems from the road and shift the protesters to an alternative site at the Ramlila Maidan “forthwith”.

Yadav did not announce a date for his proposed defiance of the ban. He said people have a right to peaceful demonstrations to press their demands in a democratic set-up and exercised this right earlier at the Boat Club area near India Gate. The alternative site on the Jantar Mantar Road was accepted because of its proximity to Parliament House, he said, adding that Ramlila Maidan was totally unsuited for the purpose. “If noise-pollution is an issue in Jantar Mantar area, is it not so in the case of the Ramlila Maidan?” Yadav asked.

Meanwhile, rebel JD(U) Rajya Sabha member Ali Anwar Ansari petitioned Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday evening, seeking disqualification of Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, floor leader of the JD(U) group, from House membership. The petitioner claimed that his group represented the real JD(U). This comes a week ahead of the deadline set by Naidu for Sharad Yadav and Ansari to appear before him in person regarding a petition for their disqualification, submitted by RCP Singh.