Taking a serious view, the Supreme Court has ordered certain interim directions to ensure protection to judicial officers performing SIR duties :
-- The ECI is directed to requisition adequate central forces and deploy them at all places where judicial officers are conducting SIR adjudication.
Adequate security must also be provided at hotels, guest houses, and other places where these officers are presently staying.
On seven judicial officers held hostage by Malda villagers yesterday, allegedly over voter deletions,
--- Union Minister & BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar says,"...The Election Commission should take cognisance of the incident and investigate to find out who was behind it.
Did the instigation by Mamata Banerjee's party lead to this incident? It is also a matter of concern whether or not the people whose names were deleted are citizens of India."
"If any judicial officer or their family members have apprehensions or threat perceptions, the same shall be immediately assessed and appropriate action taken," the Supreme Court said.
All other necessary measures required to ensure safety and smooth functioning shall be undertaken by the ECI in coordination with the State Government.
The Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and DGP are jointly directed to ensure that not more than 3–5 persons are allowed to enter the premises at a time for filing objections.
At no place where SIR adjudication is ongoing shall more than five persons be permitted entry at any given time.
The Chief Secretary and DGP shall file a compliance report before the Court.
The Collector, Chief Secretary, DGP, District Magistrate, and SSP are directed to show cause as to why appropriate action should not be taken against them in light of the letter received from the Chief Justice of the High Court.
They are further directed to remain present (virtually) on April 6, the next date of hearing.
BJP MP Hema Malini has written to the Speaker alleging "cultural fascism" in West Bengal and how it is a "security risk" and also has "negative" impact on livelihoods.
"West Bengal is the land that gave birth to luminaries like Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay; West Bengal used to be the cultural capital...
Today, there is nothing of that sort there; people are struggling to protect & preserve their art,"
She also said:
For the past 8–9 years, it has become extremely difficult for me to go to Kolkata for our programs; the straightforward reason for this is that they refuse to provide security. Why will they not give security? Naturally, the organisers used to get scared and would not arrange our programs.
"On 15th March, when I was supposed to perform there, they tried not to give us the theatre for my performance. The main reason is that I belong to the BJP. They are scared, which is why they are talking like this. As an artist, I can say they have been very mean to all artists.
"Not just me. But many other artists were not allowed to come. Art & culture are the heart of our country. All this happening is very sad."
Will these incidents shake the conscience of Bhadralok or will they be sleeping till Muslims start another Direct Action Day - Kumar Bahadur, Delhi
ReplyDeleteCommunism ka kimat - Ujjwal Seth, Dimapur
ReplyDeleteEven Supreme Court may take a tougher action against Mamata govt. For some time it’s already passing adverse comments.
ReplyDeleteNow judicial officers are under attack. It means Mamata’s complaints against EC are false. The issue is very serious. - Smita Patil, Pune