Ponnam condemns restrictions on protests in Delhi

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BC Welfare and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Saturday condemned the restrictions imposed on protesters in Delhi, accusing the Centre of suppressing democratic rights and demanding safeguards to ensure that eligible voters were not excluded during the revision of electoral rolls.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Telangana Congress, he criticised the reported disruption of metro and train services, internet shutdowns, deployment of large numbers of police personnel and arrests of protesters in Delhi.

Mr. Prabhakar said every citizen had the democratic right to protest and the Centre should address public concerns rather than prevent demonstrations. He said the right to vote was fundamental to democracy and called for action on allegations of violations of voters’ rights.

Referring to demands for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, he said the Centre should ensure that no eligible citizen lost the right to vote during the electoral roll revision process.

The Minister said the restrictions on protesters were contrary to democratic values and demanded their immediate withdrawal. He called for peaceful demonstrations to be allowed and appropriate safeguards to be put in place to protect eligible voters.

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