Azad Maidan in Panaji has historically been a place where Goans have gathered to express their grievances, protest against injustice and demand accountability from those in power. The recent decision of the Goa government to deny permission for a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls raises serious questions with regards to the right to dissent. Several people, including volunteers of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were detained while attempting to join the demonstration. Such a heavy-handed response to a proposed peaceful protest sends a disturbing message to citizens who wish to exercise their democratic rights. The question that arises is on what grounds was permission denied? The police cannot be allowed to treat every protest as a threat to law and order. The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Azad Maidan is to Goa what Jantar Mantar is to Delhi - a symbolic space where the voice of the people can be heard. Azad Maidan belongs to the people of Goa, and its democratic character must be preserved.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
