Shanta blames Centre, judiciary

Shimla, February 28

Holding both Centre and Delhi Government responsible for the ongoing anti-CAA dharna at Shaheen Bagh in South-East Delhi, former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar on Friday strongly criticised the Supreme Court too for sending interlocutors to protesters instead of deciding its legality. Talking to the media in Solan, Shanta said the country had failed in handling the Shaheen Bagh episode.

“How can governments, be it of the Centre or state, allow such a long dharna at a public place?,” he asked.

Questioning the judiciary’s decision of sending interlocutors to Shaheen Bagh, the veteran BJP leader said, “I respect the judiciary and Supreme Court. The work of the judiciary is to provide justice, not to send interlocutors at dharna sites. If such dharnas are held at 100 places, will the Supreme Court and high courts send interlocutors to all sites?,” he asked.

People had the right to hold dharnas and protests but nobody had the right to cause inconvenience to others, he added.

He said, “Whosoever is responsible for the Shaheen Bagh episode, action should be taken against those. The question is why the situation was allowed to emerge. The administration is run with discipline (Shasan anushasan se chalta hai). It should have been handled properly in the beginning,” he said. “Why did the legislature, executive and judiciary allowed such a long dharna at a public place? They deliberately allowed the situation to reach this stage,” he added. — PTI