Time to Focus on ‘Real Issues’: Mevani Slams BJP at Yuva Rally
Delhi police denied permission for the ‘Yuva Hunkaar Rally’ but organisers held it as scheduled.
Exclusive: Jignesh Mevani talks to The Quint
Speaking exclusively to The Quint Jignesh Mevani says his life was at danger from BJP forces.
When asked about the relatively low turnout, he is satisfied with the turnout at his Yuva rally. He adds that he is content that so many people turned up for the rally despite rumours of it being cancelled.
We Stand Against Corruption: Jignesh Mevani
Jignesh Mevani enthralls audience at the rally and says that he and his supporters stand against the sidelining of real issues like corruption, poverty, and unemployment by the Modi Government.
In his speech, Mevani criticises Republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami for his "bias journalism".
The 'Social Justice' rally or 'Yuva Hunkar Rally’, helmed by Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, was held at Delhi’s Parliament Street – despite being denied permission by the city police.
- Jignesh Mevani talks exclusively to The Quint after the rally
- Jignesh Mevani and Kanhaiya Kumar enthrall audience at the rally
- The Delhi police refused to grant permission for the event, citing the NGT order against holding protests at Jantar Mantar
- The protesters seek the release of Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Azad, among other demands
Akhil Gogoi Also Addresses the Rally
Akhil Gogoi, a peasant leader and an RTI activist from Assam, slams the BJP government's Citizenship Bill. He also talks about the poor growth of jobs in the country.
We Stand for the Constitution: Kanhaiya Kumar
Student leader Kanhaiya Kumar addresses the Yuva Hunkar Rally amid a thinning crowd. He clarifies that they do not want hatred or violence.
Kumar also takes a jibe at Anant Ambani for prioritising Reliance over India.
Turnout Not Upto the Mark
Crowd at the rally thins further even though Jignesh Mevani and Kanhaiya Kumar are yet to address the rally.
"Hating Us Won't Give You Anything": Umar Khalid
Speaking at the rally, student leader Umar Khalid said that ‘hating’ activists like him would not help in betterment of the farmers, or solve unemployment.
Protesters up in Arms at Hunkar Rally
Encouraging to See Young Leaders Emerge: Prashant Bhushan
Addressing the Yuva Hunkar Rally, political activist Prashant Bhushan lauded the entourage of young leaders at the event, hailing them for stepping forward.
He further alleged that the current government was spreading communal hatred, putting at risk not only democracy but also the country’s culture.
Poor Turnout at Hunkar Rally
Apart from Jignesh Mevani, Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid, Shehla Rashid, Mohit Pandey, Vinay Ratan Singh, and Prashant Bhushan were also present at the venue.
The rally however witnessed a poor turnout - empty chairs were seen at the venue even after the rally commenced at 1.40 pm, reports Meghnad Bose.
Jignesh Mevani Arrives at Rally
Gujarat MLA and Dalit Leader Jignesh Mevani arrived at the venue for the Yuva Hunkar Rally, which he is scheduled to address.
"Release Azad, No Evidence Against Him"
Vinay Ratan Singh, co-founder of the Bhim Army speaks to The Quint on the need to release Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad at the Yuva Hunkar Rally.
Posters of Chandrashekhar Azad Emerge at Rally
Protestors gathered at the venue with posters of Bhim Army chief Chandrashkehar Azad in tow.
"Elected Representative Not Allowed to Speak": Jignesh Mevani
Arriving at the venue for the rally, Jignesh Mevani slammed the police forces and the government for barring him from holding protests.
People Gather at the Venue
People from various parts of the city gathered at the venue to join Mevani’s cause. Watch a musician-protestor sing in support of the cause:
The Hunkar Rally Will Happen, Says Shehla Rashid
Speaking to The Quint, Shehla Rashid, one of the organisers of the rally said:
Empty Chairs at Venue Ahead of Rally
Minutes before the rally was scheduled to commence at noon, the venue saw empty chairs. The Quint's correspondent Meghnad Bose reports live:
'Never Granted Permission': Police
Speaking to ANI, the Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhary told ANI that no permission was granted to the organisers of the Hunkar Rally in view of the NGT’s order.
'Pack Up, BJP': Mevani Ahead of Rally
Hours before the rally, Mevani tweeted to the BJP, asking the ruling party to 'pack its bags' as they would be thrown out of power soon.
Posters Against Mevani Ahead of Rally
Posters against Mevani cropped up at the area near the venue, ahead of his rally in Delhi.
Heavy Security Deployed at Parliament Street
Heavy security has been deployed ahead of Jignesh Mevani's 'Yuva Hunkar Rally' at Parliament Street. The Delhi Police on Monday denied organisers permission to hold the event.
The police, citing the NGT’s order, debarred the organisers from holding the rally on Parliament street. The NGT’s orders however, only stops protests from taking place at Jantar Mantar and not on Parliament Street.
The police have meanwhile been equipped with water cannons and tear gas in preparation of the rally, reported NDTV.
Mevani's Request for Delhi Rally Not Granted So Far: Police
The Delhi Police on Monday, 8 January, said that Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani's request for holding a rally here on Tuesday on Parliament Street has not been granted yet.
The police had earlier said that Mevani's request was "under consideration".
"No permission granted so far by Delhi Police to hold proposed protest at Parliament Street in view of NGT orders.
Organisers have been constantly advised to go to alternate site, which they are reluctant to accept," the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, tweeted.
However, the organisers have confirmed to PTI that they would be going ahead with their plan.
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