Vijayawada: Dharna Chowk people used to gather in large numbers regularly to protest and express their dissent against the policies of the government as well as to draw the attention of the government to the solution of their problems. CPI(M) state leader Chigurupati Baburao has alleged that the state government is trying to suppress the voice of the people and shrink the space of Dharna Chowk. People from all over the state come to the Dharna Chowk to join the protests and express their views. But, he had to face many difficulties due to not having enough space to sit or stand.

He said that peaceful protest is a fundamental right of the people in a democracy. The land on the dam of Raivas Canal was allotted for the construction of Rythu Bazaar and taxi stand. Earlier, several hundred people could protest at Dharna Chowk because the area was so big. Now, the dharna chowk area has reduced considerably and hardly 300 people gather at dharna chowk. The previous TDP government had ruthlessly suppressed the voices of the protesters by using heavy police force. The opposition YSRCP created a ruckus at that time. The party leaders were then arrested and taken to various police stations during the TDP regime.

Now, YSRCP is ruling the state and TDP is the main opposition party. But, the government is not providing any facility to the people who are on dharna to demand their rights at the dharna chowk. He said the police were denying permission to hold protests near offices like the sub-collector's office, tehsildar's office or municipal corporation office. Congress Coordination Committee member Sunkara Padmashree has criticized the government's decision to allot land for construction of Rythu Bazar and taxi stand. He questioned where people can protest against the policies of the government. He alleged that the government intended to ban protests in the state. Shankar said that the state government was implementing undemocratic policies and trying to suppress the voice of the people.

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