1 hr ago
Congress Backs INDIA Bloc Protests, Questions Delhi Liquor Closure
Congress leader Udit Raj supported protests by opposition leaders against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He said the opposition and other citizens should speak up when they believe elections are being handled wrongly.
The protesters say they are trying to protect democracy, the Constitution and people’s votes.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders were previously detained during a protest and later released.
The opposition held its third day of protest on Thursday.
Delhi also ordered some licensed liquor shops to close for two days beginning Friday.
Officials said the closure was meant to help maintain public order, based on the situation and information from police.
Raj questioned the reason for the closure and suggested it could be a diversion.
Congress leader Udit Raj backed the INDIA bloc’s protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Raj said opposition parties and citizens should speak out over alleged Election Commission actions, including vote deletions and changes to forms.
Opposition leaders held their third day of protest on Thursday; Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others had previously been detained and released.
Delhi ordered licensed liquor outlets to close for two days starting Friday, citing public-order concerns and Delhi Police inputs.
Raj questioned the closure’s rationale and suggested it might be a diversion, while the official order described it as a preventive measure.
- Who
- Udit Raj, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc opposition leaders; Delhi excise authorities.
- What
- Opposition protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continued, while Delhi ordered licensed liquor outlets to close for two days.
- Where
- New Delhi, including the area near Akashvani Bhawan.
- When
- The third day of protests was Thursday; the liquor closure was to begin Friday and last two days.
- Why
- Raj said the protests were to defend democracy, the Constitution and voting rights. Authorities said the liquor closure was a preventive public-order measure.
Raj and Opposition
Delhi Authorities
Reason for liquor-shop closure
Raj and Opposition
Raj said he saw no clear logic for shutting shops and suggested the move might be a diversionary tactic.
Delhi Authorities
The Excise Department said the closure was a preventive step to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and Delhi Police inputs.
Election Commission conduct
Raj and Opposition
Raj alleged that wrongful Election Commission actions, including vote deletions or changes to forms, warranted protest.
Delhi Authorities
The article provides no response from the Election Commission to those allegations.
Key facts
- Protest day
- The opposition held its third day of protest on Thursday.
- Protest target
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Congress leader quoted
- Udit Raj.
- Earlier detentions
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders were detained and later released.
- Liquor closure
- Two days, starting Friday.
- Official rationale
- A preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs from Delhi Police.
- Licences covered
- The circular applied to specified licences, including L6, L6FG, L8, L10 and L14.
Quotes
Delhi Excise Department
Delhi government department explaining the two-day liquor-vend closure.
“The closure has been ordered as a preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police. The order applies to liquor vends operating under specified licences, including L6, L6FG, L8, L10 and L14.”
thehansindia.com
“I fail to see any logic behind shutting them for two days or how that relates to the agitation. However, it might be a diversionary tactic on their part. While the government is certainly free to make such decisions, the rationale escapes me...”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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