SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: A group of senior citizens who were recently detained by Panjim police for alleged code of conduct violations while paying tribute to Bhagat Singh at Azad Maidan have now lodged a complaint with the State Election Commissioner (SEC). They assert that their detention was unlawful and condemn the police's efforts to restrict their freedom of speech.
They narrated how they, “Friends of Bhagat Singh” were paying homage to the revolutionary on his death anniversary on March 23rd at Azad Maidan in Panjim.
After completing the tribute rituals, including garlanding the portrait of Singh, one member of the group spoke about Singh’s fight for independence and the need to follow his example of sacrifice.
“The speaker, after praising Bhagat Singh, who laid down his life so that we enjoy the freedom we have today, emphasised the need to ensure that this freedom is never curbed or taken away and made a casual mention of EVMs, stating that the Supreme Court is seized of the problem and their decision is expected soon,” said Jack Mascarenhas on behalf of the citizens in the letter.
“It appears that the police, who were present there in large numbers, got hysterical at the mere mention of EVMs and pounced on us by snatching our placards and detaining all those who were part of this homage,” he added.
“After taking them to the Panjim Police Station, they were transported to the Dona Paula Police Station, where they were released after some time. Despite most being senior citizens, they were detained for around 4 hours, from around 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 pm, without lunch or even snacks,’ he added further.
They added that no microphones were used and since Sec 144 was not in force, they were not aware under what provisions of the law they were detained.
“When asked, we were simply told that we were violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). We do not belong to any political party and have made no political speeches. Hence, we are not aware till now of the reasons for our detention,” said the citizen group.
“We understand that violations of the MCC come under your (SEC) purview and presume that the police acted under your instructions. We strongly condemn this police action in curbing our freedom of expression and this attempt at stifling dissent, thus preventing us from projecting Bhagat Singh as a model for us to follow to retain our right of free expression and action,” they added.
The group asked the SEC to let them know what violations were committed and if there were none, to please initiate proceedings against the police for curbing their civic rights.
