Even as the opposition parties are fuming at the order issued by the Jagan Mohan Reddy government on Monday banning public meetings, rallies and roadshows on the roads and highways, the chief minister got an unexpected support from unexpected quarters.
Retired IPS officer and former joint director of Central Bureau of Investigation V V Lakshminarayana extended support to Jagan’s decision.
“I don’t see anything wrong in that GO. The police act was brought in 1861 and various states have made changes according to their requirements,” he said.
The former CBI JD said there was nothing unusual in the decision, as every political party has to take the permission from the police to conduct public rallies and road shows.
“If they give details of their meetings, the police will make proper arrangements. There is no need to politicise each and every decision,” he said.
Lakshminarayana said if the opposition parties are of the view that the restrictions imposed in the GO are applicable only to them and not the ruling party, they can as well go to the court to get the remedy.
“If the police create any unnecessary restrictions, the opposition parties can approach the court, as was done by BJP state president Bandi Sanjay and YSR Telangana party president Y S Sharmila in Telangana,” he said.
Referring to the criticism that Jagan was following the British rules, the ex-CBI official said it was not just the Police act, even the Indian Penal Code was also brought in 1861. Many other legislations were also brought during the British regime, he said.
“The Jagan government has not banned public meetings or rallies. It only says the parties should conduct them in public grounds or private places, but not on roads. There is nothing wrong in it,” he said.
Lakshminarayana said it was the responsibility of the government to protect the people’s lives.
“However, the rule of law should be followed for all the parties equally. If it is discriminatory, one can go to court. There is a solution for every problem,” he said.