RANCHI: Noted social economist Jean Dreze, along with two other right to food activists in Jharkhand, were detained by the police at Bishunpura in Garhwa on Thursday allegedly for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as they were holding a public meeting without permission from the district administration. They were released after being held for over two hours.
Dreze after being freed from detention alleged that nowhere is it written in the model code that peaceful and non-political meetings on issues related to masses could not be conducted. “It is really unfortunate that understanding of democracy is shrinking day by day in India and rights of the people being snatched away gradually. It is important to express your words during elections,” said the social economist.
He also told that they were being forced to furnish a bond mentioning that they did not have any complaint against the government but they refused to do so.The other two activists, who were also detained along with Dreze, include president Vivek Kumar Gupta and secretary Anuj Kumar Gupta of Dehan Group, which was organising the programme in connection with ration, pension, education and employment.
They claimed that they had sought permission for organising the programme from district administration, but no reply was received. The district administration, however, claimed that they were informed about the meeting and action was taken as a precautionary measure.