Shiv Sena (UBT) accuses Centre of institutionalising authoritarianism over Jantar Mantar protest curbs

The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Wednesday accused the Centre of institutionalising authoritarianism and restricting public dissent criticising the Delhi Policersquos decision to remove Jantar Mantarrsquos longstanding status as a designated venue for demonstrationsIn an editorial published in the partyrsquos mouthpiece Saamana the Uddhav Thackerayled faction alleged that the restrictions were aimed at moving protests away from the seat of power and limiting their impact on Parliament and public discourseThe editorial claimed that under the new police orders demonstrations had been shifted to locations farther from central Delhi including Ramlila Maidan around 4 km away the CBD Ground in Shahdara about 12 km away and Burari Ground approximately 20 to 21 km awayOpposition alleges restrictions on peaceful protestsThe editorial argued that relocating demonstrations to distant venues would make it harder for protesters to draw attention to their demands It described the decision as a deliberate attempt to prevent public agitation from affecting political discourse in the national capitalThe party also raised concerns about the costs associated with organising demonstrations at alternative venues According to the editorial using Ramlila Maidan can cost more than Rs 15 lakh per day while organisers may need to book the venue months in advance It also claimed that the venue is frequently occupied by religious programmes and events organised by the ruling partyContrasting these arrangements with Jantar Mantar which it described as an accessible venue where demonstrations could be held without fees the editorial characterised the new financial barriers as an exorbitant Jizya tax on those seeking to express oppositionEditorial invokes Indiarsquos freedom struggleThe Thackeray faction drew parallels with Indiarsquos freedom struggle arguing that historic movements had taken place around areas such as Chandni Chowk Daryaganj and the vicinity of ParliamentIt maintained that peaceful assembly is a constitutionally protected right and alleged that moving protests outside central areas reflected an administrative reluctance to allow dissent near the seat of powerThe editorial also referred to recent political tensions surrounding demonstrations by groups such as the Cockroach Janata Party CJP which have demanded accountability over electoral integrity It claimed that these protests were followed by heavy security deployments and preventive detentions in the national capitalLegal challenge and political criticismThe editorial said opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi had condemned the restrictions It also referred to legal challenges against the removal of Jantar Mantarrsquos designated protest venue status which have moved to the Delhi High CourtThe decision has become another point of contention between opposition parties and the Centre over the space available for public demonstrations The editorial argued that restrictions on protest venues could weaken the ability of citizens and political groups to raise concerns publiclySena warns against curbs on dissentIssuing a warning to the Centre the editorial said Jantar Mantar has become a living memorial of agitations The BJP rule converted a symbol of democracy into a memorial This memorial of Jantar Mantar will become the tomb of dictatorial tendencies Naturally Jantar Mantar will not stay quiet the present rulers themselves will have to run awayThe Uddhav Thackerayled faction further claimed that when a government begins to fear its own public the countdown to its end has officially begun