What "concrete" steps were taken to curb protests: Allahabad HC
What's the story
Expressing concern over protests being allowed in Lucknow and the problems being faced by people, the Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary for Home, and DGP to apprise it on April 10 about the "concrete" steps taken by the government for ensuring that no such protests are held in Lucknow. Here are more details.
Protest
Rama Bai Rally Sthal earmarked for agitation
An HC bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Abdul Moin asked why the protesters held stirs in the heart of Lucknow city if the Rama Bai Rally Sthal was earmarked for agitation purposes. "Such protest cannot be permitted to be held any further in the heart of the city, whereby causing inconvenience to the general public," the court said.
Cognizance
Court took cognizance of a news report
Taking cognizance of a news report, the bench said, "Public protests may be a form of indicating the dissatisfaction with government policies, but a peaceful protest would also show that dissatisfaction." Highlighting an English daily's 28 March report about the B.P.Ed protesters stalling traffic for three hours on Vidhan Sabha Marg, it said, this caused serious problem to school children, college students, and office-goers.
Hardship
Students, patients, mothers faced hardship due to traffic jam
"Persons stuck in the traffic jams can include school children, patients, and others. Citizens have died because of not receiving medical assistance in time," the bench said. "Mothers have delivered babies on roads in traffic jams, school children and even healthy people have fainted while stuck in traffic jams, what to say about the elderly and infirm," the bench said in its order.
Astonished
Court astonished by callous attitude of administration
"Court is totally astonished with the callous attitude of the local administration in, firstly, permitting such protests in the heart of the city and secondly, not doing anything to control the said protests with a firm hand," the bench said. "Difficulties are also experienced by people traveling on highways where roadblocks are put by protesters. This leads to traffic jams and inconvenience," it noted.