In Mumbai, the Fundamental Right to Show Dissent Has Been Violated for 30 Years
Successive and overlapping Section 144 orders since 1993 have put paid to Mumbaikars' ability to protest where and when they want to.
DCP Ashok tells The Wire that the primary reason that such orders are imposed is because of the prevailing “threat perception in the city.” since Mumbai city is constantly under threat, the imposition of such orders become mandatory.
In the past six months, the police department, along with orders prohibiting people’s assembly, has also issued orders on house owners letting out flats, use of loudspeakers, bursting of crackers, flying lanterns, among other things. And all this is issued in the name of peace, public safety and tranquillity.
senior human rights lawyer Mihir Desai “When people take to the street, they are there for a reason. They are out in public demanding something or protesting against something that impacts their life. Protesting is the essence of democracy. But in Mumbai, one can’t do that. At best, the police allow people to gather at Azad Maidan, that too after going through a complicated procedure,” Desai says.
“Imagine if a group of Asha workers are protesting against the state government’s decision of not raising their wages and instead of protesting outside Mantralaya, they are forced to stay in a small demarcated space in a field. No one cares for their issues and this way the state is also marring their efforts to make themselves heard,” Desai says.