RJD barred from taking out bicycle rally on foundation day

Ranchi: RJD workers on Sunday were disallowed by the police from taking out a bicycle rally to protest against the fuel price hike, ‘because of no prior permit from the administration’.
RJD workers were about to take out 5-km bicycle rally when the officer-in-charge of Jagannathpur police station stopped them in front of the party office, saying that the party did not have administrative permission. RJD leaders pleaded with the police that each party worker would cover the distance individually and not as a group but the cops refused.
Jagannathpur OC Abhay Kumar Singh said, “We requested the RJD workers to do away with the bicycle rally because they did not have the administration’s permission and also pointed out that processions are prohibited under the prevailing circumstances.”
State RJD president Abhay Singh said, “We cancelled the cycle rally as it did not seem right to oppose the administration. We had applied for permission on Friday but did not get reply.” Singh added that except for Ranchi, the bicycle rallies were taken out in all districts of Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, Sunday marked the 24th foundation day of RJD and the party workers cut a 24-pound cake and hoisted the party flag while following the social distancing norms at the party office here. Reminiscing about RJD’s founding years, Abhay said, “It was due to Lalu’s support that the exploited section of the society started claiming their rights. At the national-level, he played a key role in the making of our prime ministers in the country.”
RJD leaders claimed that dozens of people have joined their organisation. Most of the new entrants are impressed by the Lalu Kitchen, which has been feeding the poor at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) campus for over 2.5 months now, said the leaders.