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REPORT ON VISIT TO JANTAR MANTAR

--Rishi Sehgal
Its 10am on a hot, humid day and Jantar Mantar has come alive with the discordance of
competing voices on loudspeakers voices of protesters laced with anger and agony. The road
close to the 18th century astronomical observatory in the heart of the capital attracts a motley
bunch of protesters from across the country every day. Even as one approaches the site,
sounds of slogans from various groups meld into a meaningless cacophony. Everyday Jantar
Mantar has about half a dozen scheduled protests (dharnas with police permission) and many
more unscheduled protests. On the first day I spent at Jantar Mantar, there were 10 different
groups sitting on dharnas with an array of demands some are sitting in the open, other
under tents with elaborate arrangements -- bottled water, fan and spotless cushions on the
floor.
The most popular protest on the first day of my visit was Loktantra Bachao March (Save
Democracy March) taken out by the Indian National Congress (INC) against the BJP
government. Before the march, the party leaders collectively slammed the Narendra Modi
government, asking them where their promised 'Achhe Din' was and accusing them of
"attacking democracy."
Ms. Gandhi, the president of INC alleged that the Congress-led governments in Uttarakhand
and Arunachal Pradesh were dislodged by the Modi regime with use of money power. She
said Today, Uttarakhand's jungles are burning but nothing is being done about it because
there is no government. The BJP government is murdering democracy by taking down
democratically elected governments. No matter how much they try to fight democracy, we
will not let you succeed. Congress VP Mr. Rahul Gandhi also attacked the government and
said Modiji talked about 'Achhe din' when he came to power. But today, almost 40% of the
country is affected by drought and he has nothing to say. "They destabilized the Congress
government in Arunachal Pradesh, removed elected leaders & broke all laws," he said.
After the march was over there was a brief moment of calmness all around. Soon another
protest appeared in the form of One Rank One Pension (OROP) led by United Front of ExServicemen (UFE) consisting of about 25-30 men and women. This was their 327th day of
the protest. Although the OROP scheme was given by the government earlier but according to
Maj. Gen. Satbir Singh, the base year set by the government was not according to their desire.
They wanted the fy-2013-14 to be set as the base year for giving pensions and not the middle
of 2014. What is the use of us guarding the border at night when the government treats us in
such a manner he said. They also demanded the representation of servicemen in the
commission and report to be submitted in one month rather than the proposed six months.
The Government has yet not given us the OROP he said.
In addition to people sitting on dharnas there was a collection drive taking place at a small
pandal. We have decided to give one day's pension to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which
is about Rs. 7, said Norti Bai, a 68 year old former sarpanch from Rajasthan. We get Rs.
200 as pension from the Centre; the state gives us Rs. 300. With that amount, in 30 days of

the month, we go hungry for 10. If we don't have roti for one more day, we won't die," she
added. They are sending money in the hope of PM Modis intervention.
Further down the road there was the hunger strike launched by the Delhi Commercial Driver
Union (D.C.D.U). It was day four of their hunger strike as they wanted the Supreme Court to
reconsider the recent ban on diesel vehicles. They also want the Delhi government to provide
security to them since these diesel vehicles are their source of livelihood. They also
threatened to launch a campaign against the government in the upcoming by-elections.
Next to the drivers union a hunger strike was launched by All Delhi Tempo Mini Truck
Owners Union, who was protesting on the same issues. They also protested against the
levying of green tax as well as not giving permit and fitness certificates on 10 year old diesel
vehicles. There was also a protest against the arrest of sant Rampal Ji Maharaj just a few
metres from the entrance to Jantar Mantar road. The protestors feel that the allegations
against him are baseless and demand for his quick release.
It is interesting to note that the protestors are not just day trippers who leave by evening and
campers who stay put, but there are those as well who protest until "justice" is served. There
was a woman from Punjab has been staging a dharna for the past three years against an IPS
officer who she said raped her. She has been at Jantar Mantar, along with five old men from
her village who are supporting her, protesting against the non-registration of an FIR against
the accused.
On the second day of my visit there was not significant change as regards to the protests
except for the rally held by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Delhi Chief Minister Arvind
Kejriwal attacked both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi
in the Agusta Westland VVIP chopper scam. He also attacked PM Modi for making promises
to fight corruption but having done little after being elected to power. "Before the polls, Modi
ji made tall promises to the people of this country that he will punish the culprits and will
bring them to book. Today, it has been two years and he has done nothing about the corrupt,"
Mr Kejriwal said.
The rest of the protests of the army veterans, the drivers union will continue to go on for
another day till their demands are met.

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