Team Goemkarponn
ALDONA: Aldona MLA and advocate Carlos Alvares Ferreira has strongly criticised the denial of permission for protests held on October 10, describing the alleged preventive detentions of political leaders, activists and citizens as an “undeclared Emergency”.
Ferreira alleged that several individuals were detained across the country ahead of the planned protests, including non-political figures who were reportedly taken from their homes and aircraft, as well as political leaders who sought to support the movement.
Questioning the legality of the reported actions, Ferreira said the detention of protesters, alleged seizure of mobile phones, lack of information to family members, restricted access to lawyers and suspension of internet services amounted to an infringement of fundamental rights.
He questioned the legal basis for detaining individuals in their home cities before they had reached New Delhi, particularly when the prohibitory orders were reportedly limited to the national capital.
“Delhi was made a fortress from its own people,” Ferreira said, raising concerns over whether executive orders could be used to curtail citizens’ constitutional freedoms.
The MLA referred to Supreme Court observations on the right to peaceful protest, arguing that citizens were entitled to demonstrate against public authorities while remaining within the law. He maintained that the police had a responsibility to maintain public order while ensuring that protesters’ rights were respected.
Ferreira also raised allegations concerning the presence of individuals in police uniforms without identification badges and others in plain clothes allegedly wielding batons during the protests. He questioned their identity, authority and role in the reported incidents, and called for accountability over the alleged use of force against young protesters.
Criticising the circulation of messages claiming that the protests were intended to destabilise the country, Ferreira said the demonstrations were aimed at seeking accountability from those in power. He referred to controversies surrounding the NEET examination paper leak allegations and claims of electoral irregularities, including “vote chori” and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Ferreira credited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with raising issues relating to alleged electoral irregularities and asserted that the right to protest could not be suppressed through preventive measures.
He also directed criticism at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging those in authority to address the concerns raised by protesters.
Ferreira concluded by warning against further restrictions on democratic dissent and reiterated that the right to peaceful protest was an essential constitutional freedom.
