Students Submit Memorandum on Right to Protest in Bengaluru

In a significant move, the All India Students Association (AISA) submitted a memorandum to the education and home departments in Bengaluru, demanding the revocation of an order that restricts protests to Freedom Park. The memorandum, backed by over 1,761 signatures, highlights the challenges faced by students, workers, and farmers due to this restriction.

Since January 2022, the Bengaluru police have imposed limitations on protests, confining them to Freedom Park. This has led to substantial difficulties for minority groups and activists who seek to protest their fundamental rights. The AISA argues that this restriction undermines constitutional freedoms and the right to protest enshrined in Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.

The memorandum also cites several incidents of police intervention, including the detention of peaceful campaigners raising awareness about Palestine and the black flag protest against land acquisition in Devanahalli. The AISA emphasizes that the restriction to a single location in the city is an attempt to sanitize Bengaluru for multinational investments, at the cost of curtailing the rights of its citizens.

The student group, part of the Horatada Hakkigaagi Janandolana (People’s Movement for the Right to Protest), conducted a signature campaign to reclaim their constitutional right to protest. The memorandum calls for the government to recognize and respect the fundamental right to protest in various locations across the city.

This move by the AISA has garnered support from students, youth, and activists who believe in the importance of upholding democratic rights and freedoms. The outcome of this memorandum and the government’s response will be closely watched by civil society and human rights organizations.