National   

An assault on democracy, says Shanti Bhushan

New Delhi: Shanti Bhushan, co-chairperson of the Lok Pal joint drafting committee, on Sunday termed the crackdown on Baba Ramdev and his followers an assault on democracy. “Doing peaceful demonstration is a citizen's fundamental right. This strengthens and creates a vibrant democracy. Without any provocation, helpless women, children and other peaceful demonstrators were assaulted on Saturday night.”

The Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan of civil society activist Aruna Roy has till now had serious differences with the Anna Hazare group on several clauses in the Jan Lok Pal Bill. It has also been uncomfortable in the extreme about the right-wing orientation of the anti-corruption movement led by Baba Ramdev. Yet, on Sunday, the MKSS joined the rest of civil society to speak for the swami's right to hold a peaceful protest. Said the MKSS in a statement: “The right to peaceful protest, irrespective of ideologies, individuals or issues, is fundamental to a functional democracy. The MKSS holds that plurality of views and their peaceful expression is a sign of a healthy vibrant democracy, and must be protected.” For its part, the People's Union for Democratic Rights said the attack was unwarranted as the “satyagraha” was entirely peaceful and had caused no law and order problems. “Independent of the nature of the politics they may espouse, individuals and organisations have a right to stage peaceful protest.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Police break up Baba Ramdev's ‘satyagrah'
An assault on democracy, says Shanti Bhushan
Chauhan terms it an attack on democracy
Mixed reaction in Punjab to police action
It's the beginning of the end of UPA rule: Modi
Mulayam deplores midnight swoop
“It is reminiscent of Emergency era”
Ramlila Maidan strewn with belongings of protesters
RSS using Ramdev as a front: Lalu
Police defend crackdown
Seventy injured in midnight swoop
Left may have lost polls, but the struggle is not over, says Karat
Gabreta skeletal remains sent for DNA testing
‘Assembly poll result is of national significance'
Ramdev should confine himself to yoga, says Ashok Gehlot
U.N. report favours more investment in forestry sector
Farmers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra show the way
Congress to hold ‘mahapanchayat' of farmers in Bhatta-Parsaul
Prescribe only generic drugs, A.P. doctors told

Copyright © 2011, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu