Street vendors shut down for three days during Modi’s visit to Gujarat
During the Indian prime minister’s visit to his native state following victories by his party, the BJP, in state elections, business activities have been completely shut down and people rounded up in preventive detention. A group of activists sent a letter of protest directly to the prime minister.
New Delhi (AsiaNews) – More than 80 people from Gujarat have signed a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing their concern after street vendors were ordered to close shop during his visit to the state.
According to the petitioners, the authorities in Ahmedabad and other cities on his itinerary have put in place security measures that harm the fundamental rights of people, including the suspension of business activities in many locations between 10 to 12 March.
It “is understandable, if, for a short period of time when the PM’s convoy passes (maybe even up to half a day) or when the PM is holding meetings in a particular venue the shops and vendors could close for a few hours. But to issue such blanket orders as to close their business for 2 or 3 days is inhuman, violative of the right to life and livelihood of thousands of citizens”.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Modi began the tour of his native state. After landing at Ahmedabad airport, he travelled to the headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Gandhinagar to celebrate election victories in recent state elections.
In addition to this “violative practice” that began in 2014-15, the authorities are also rounding up for preventive detention people with criminal records as well as citizens with licenced firearms, activists and innocent law-abiding citizens “just because they may have expressed dissent or opposition to the government. Such actions are unconstitutional”.
The petitioners, who include Jesuit Fr Cedric Prakash, remind the prime minister that when this is done, “ostensibly for the security of [the] highest Jan Sevak (public servant) of our nation (the PM), it erodes our great democracy and the faith of its citizens in your leadership.” Ultimately, this “lowers the dignity of the august office you occupy, as the PM of world’s largest democracy.
“In fact, we believe that if during your visit safe and orderly protests are allowed it would definitely enhance the image of our country. But even if that is not allowed, preventive detention and arrests should be stopped forthwith;” to this end, “we suggest that you personally intervene to stop such undemocratic acts by the law enforcement authorities.”
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