HYDERABAD: Condemning the Telangana government’s decision to shift Dharna Chowk, members from various opposition parties, civil societies as well as commoners started their month long relay protests on Saturday at the CPI office, Makdoom Bhavan in Himayatnagar.
Various political leaders from across party lines pointed that the move is a way to curb democracy and deny the right of people to raise their voices against the administration.
The protest, Save Dharna Chowk, was inaugurated by Chukka Ramaiah, educationist and former MLA who said that this is an important matter.
“Major leaders and those who have participated in historical movements of Telangana are participating in the relay and the Telangana Government should be appreciated for providing this opportunity. Dharna Chowk is the most important location of Telangana Movement and it needs to be retained,” he said.
He also pointed that Dharna Chowk is a reminder of the struggles endured by people in the Telangana Movement.
He also added that K Chandrasekhar Rao, Chief Minister of Telangana, who was also part of the movement has forgotten the importance of the Chowk once he gained power.
“Saving this Chowk implies saving democracy. It is important that people’s protests are acknowledged for a democracy,” he said. Varavara Rao, activist and renowned poet, also pointed the same.
“The order from the deputy commissioner of police says that no protests should be conducted in the capital city. But, there is a reason why protests take place in the vicinity of an administrative building as the administrators need to listen to the pleas of the common people and also their reasons for protest,” he pointed.