Economist Jean Dreze Takes on Administration After Brief Arrest in Jharkhand, Says, ‘Understanding of Democracy is Shrinking’

Ranchi, March 28: Renowned economist and Right to Food activist Jean Dreze on Thursday took on the administration stating that ‘understanding of democracy is shrinking’ among the people. He opined this after his brief arrest – along with two others – by the Jharkhand police on the charges for holding unauthorised public meeting when the Election Commission’s model code of conduct is in place due to Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

Though police claimed that Dreze and other didn’t seek permission for the public meeting, Dreze stated that neither the authorities permitted them nor did they reject it in the last ten days.  Economist Jean Dreze, Two Others Detained in Jharkhand’s Garhwa for Holding Meeting Without Permission, Released Later. 

Alleging of double standards by the Jharkhand police, Dreze stated that the understanding of democracy is shrinking among the people. He said, as reported by Indian Express, “This is double standard. This is not newsworthy… the understanding of democracy is shrinking…Dheere Dheere saare azadiyon ko Kam Kiya jaa raha jai, aur mudda ye hai (The issue is that slowly and steadily freedom is being curbed).”

Expressing his opinion on the detention and arrest, Dreze said, “It is very important to hold peaceful, non-political meetings during elections. Nowhere in MCC it is written we cannot hold such meetings.” Along with him, two other social activists were also detained by the Jharkhand Police in Garhwa district. The trio spent around two hours in Bishnupura Police Station in Garhwa District of Jharkhand.

However, police claim that they were just following the law which says that when the ‘Model Code of Conduct’ is in place, such public meeting need SDO’s permission. DIG Palamu Vipul Shukla said, “They were detained for MCC violation as they were holding a public meeting without SDO’s permission.”

Deputy Commissioner Garhwa Harsh Mangla said that Dreze and others had asked for permission for holding the meeting, but it was rejected. “They were taken to the police station for some time and were let off. When MCC is in place, CrPC section 144 is imposed which prohibits assembly of four or more people in a public place. They have asked for permission, but it was rejected. Now we will look into it why it was rejected and have asked the concerned person,” he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 28, 2019 07:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).