Yuva Rally as it happened: Jignesh Mevani slams BJP govt over Bhima-Koregaon violence, says India 'facing fascism'

Jignesh Mevani raises pitch against communal forces

Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani said: “I have Manusmriti in one hand and book on Constitution on the other hand. We want to ask all of you — what do you want?”

We are facing fascism: Jignesh Mevani

“There is severe crisis and we haven’t faced so much problem earlier. We are facing fascism. In the last four years in the name of ’love jihad’, ghar wapsi and cow politics, people are suffering. But what about development? What about the rights of adivasis, Dalits and poor? We want these issues to be addressed,” Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani said.

Jignesh Mevani slams BJP govt over atrocities against Dalits

“Because of the way Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mevani crushed BJP’s target of 150 seats in Gujarat, we are being targetted,” said Jignesh Mevani at the Yuva Hunkar rally.

He further said: “Narendra Modi government has to reply why Chandrashekhar Azad is still in jail? Why Bhima-Koregaon incident happened? What happened to 2 crore jobs for the youth? Why farmers in Madhya Pradesh had to die of police bullets? We will raise this question in Gujarat Assembly and on streets across the country.”

Jignesh Mevani addresses gathering

“We believe in the democracy, in the Constitution and its essence. You can attack us, verbally abuse us. Despite that, we will talk about the Constuttion and hum the tune of love,” says Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani.

Akhil Gogoi calls for ‘program’ to strike off Modi government 
“I don’t have much to say as everything as been said. Now we have to make a program to throw away Narendra Modi government. Two crore illegal migrants — Hindu-Bangladeshis — will enter Assam. It will be BJP-RSS vote bank. This is Modi government’s plan for Assam,” Akhil Gogoi said at the gathering.
 
He further added, “North East Industrial investment policy has been scrapped. (There are) Attacks on adivasis, on Assam, on Muslims, on Dalits, on farmers. Where is Achhe Din for us, for women?”

Kanhaiya Kumar assures strikes ’to save democracy’

Speaking at the Yuva Hunkar rally, former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar said:  “We will hold strikes in industries, railways, government departments and everywhere to protest slavery and save democracy.”

Remarks against media common at Yuva Hunkar rally

While addressing the gathering almost all speakers including Shehla Rashid and Kanhaiya Kumar made caustic remarks against the media and journalists. They didn’t bother that it is the same media that is facilitating their voice to reach across the country. But playing the gallery, the speakers didn’t shun from attacking the media.

We are here for Constitution, says Kanhaiya Kumar 

“We don’t want violence. We have no hatred against anyone. We want peace in the society. We are here not against any religion but we are here for Constitution. We want people should have the right to follow his or her religion peaceful. We have been painted as anti-Hindu but our only objective is to save the Constitution,” says former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar.

Bhim Sena president calls for unity against BJP-RSS
 
Ratan Lal, president of Bhim Sena says: “All have congratulated Jigneshbhai (Mevani) but we want to give him responsibility to take up the issues of Dalits. We want from every home a Kanshi Ram takes birth. If we all join hands and fight, RSS-BJP will wet their pants. Today, if a Dalit girl gets raped, police never registers the victim’s complaint.”
 
He adds: “We want our participation in job, in land, in Parliament. We are going to begin a campaign by the Bhim Army to create awareness of our Constitution.”

Empty chairs at gathering; only Dalit groups, student unions present

The gathering has started petering out. The crowd we saw between 12.30 to 2 pm is not there anymore . The common public is missing. Near the dias, only the students unions and Dalit organisation activists are present. 

“The crowd you saw sitting was from adjoining offices which came to have a glimpse during lunch time and some others were passers-by. Now you can see these empty chairs. Only the students unions representatives are here,” a Delhi Police official, who has been on duty since morning, told Firstpost. 

Swami Agnivesh says communal forces suppressing Dalits, adivasis

Swami Agnivesh, who is present at the gathering, tells Firstpost. “Nothing good has been happening with the Dalits, adivasis and downtrodden. Communal forces are in full force, suppressing Dalits and adivasis. There is severe oppression under this government. The hope that the people of this country had when Narendra Modi became prime minister, is now lost. It has turned out to be a big lie. The divisive forces are splitting our society,” he says.

Jignesh Mevani, Akhil Gogoi yet to address gathering

Section 144 imposed in Delhi, says official

A senior official from the Delhi Police told Firstpost that once the rally is over, “FIR will be filed against those who participated in the rally.”

“Permission has not been given to hold this rally but in democracy such rallies and incidents occur almost everyday. If any untoward incident takes place, action will be initiated,” the official, on condition of anonymity, said.

Parliament Street echoes with slogans of ‘Jai Bheem. Inquilab Zindabad’

The stage at the Yuva Hunkar rally is shared by the Left-backed students unions, Dalit organisations, and its students unions.

We want 150 JNUs across India where Dalits can study, says Umar Khalid

Umar Khalid says,“Government wants to shut Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) but we want 150 JNUs should come up across India so that a Dalit from Kalahandi can study there”

Umar Khalid addresses gathering

Speaking at the Yuva Hunkar rally, Umar Khalid says: “Narendra Modi’s bubble has burst. The myth around him is fading. It has been due. We don’t want hatred, we want jobs, peace and growth for the youth. _Manuvadi vichaardhara ko maanne walon ke liye Daliton ka koi jagah nahi hai (_Those who believe in Manuvadi school of thoughts don’t have any space for Dalits). We will fight and avenge the death of Rohith Vemula.”

Supporter calls for ‘strong voice’ for Dalits, adivasis

Varsha, who has come with her friends to attend this rally, wants to identify as an independent voice —  not attached to any political party. She tells Firstpost: “I am here because I support this cause of Dalits. No one — including political parties and government — is paying any heed to the problems being faced by Dalits and adivasis. There is a need for a strong voice for Dalts and adivasis. During elections, nothing is talked about youth and women . It is only tokenism. Frustration is growing among the youth. There is no job opportunity, unemployment is growing. Education getting costlier. Where the poor will go?”

Scene from Yuva Hunkar rally

#Visuals from the ongoing 'Yuva Hunkar Rally' at Parliament Street #Delhi pic.twitter.com/z0bzLctaE9

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2018

AISA president slams RSS for ‘hatching conspiracy through proper planning’

Sucheta De, National President of All India Students Association (AISA) told Firstpost: “As 2019 is approaching, RSS is hatching conspiracy across various parts of the country through proper planning and by using anti-Dalit, anti-muslim, anti-women hatred as tool to divide the society. The recent Dalit-Maratha clashes are an example. To divert the Maratha anger who have been suffering due to farmer distress, RSS-BJP played them against the Dalits at Bhima-Koregaon incident. Now farmers, the youth, and Dalits are on streets against hate conspiracy. Narendra Modi government has failed to address these growing anger and hatred. Jignesh Mevani has taken up the cause of Dalits.”

Shehla Rashid accuses Delhi Police of ’lying about cancellation of permission’ for the rally

Only 200-300 supporters show up at rally

According to Times Now, the organisers had claimed that supporters from outside of Delhi would come for the rally. However, only few hundreds of supporters have turned up as Dalits stay away from Jignesh Mevani’s rally.

Crowd hail revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad

Amidst huge sloganeering of ‘Jai Bheem, Jai Bheem’, a large gathering holds images of Chadrashekhar Azad and “demands” his release from jail.

​Watch: Jignesh Mevani says he’s unwell but will go ahead with rally 

#युवा_हुंकार_रैली_9_जनवरी pic.twitter.com/z8F3qvYAD5

— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) January 9, 2018

Shehla Rashid addresses the crowd

We will expose RSS conspiracy: Shehla Rashid

“Don’t be influenced by media or police information. We will go from Gujarat to Kashmir. We will expose RSS conspiracy. We will update public on our issues and plans,” said Shehla Rashid.

Heavy security in place

The entire stretch from Jantar Mantar to Parliament Street, which is almost 1.5 km, has virtually turned into a fortress with massive security cover all around.

Delhi police and CRP have put barricades all across Parliament Street, and guarded every entry point as security measure. Rally is going on in front of Parliament Street police station.

Come to Parliament Street. The public meeting will take place near Jeevan Vihar (Parliament Street Police Station) pic.twitter.com/pAPnugHOjG

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) January 9, 2018

Heavy security in Delhi despite permission from police being denied

Around 2,000 security personnel, including the paramilitary forces, have been deployed in the national capital in view of the ‘Yuva Hunkaar’ rally spearheaded by Jignesh Mevani.

A senior officer from New Delhi district told PTI that additional forces from other districts of the city have been called in.

The Parliament Street has been fortified and water cannon vehicles have been deployed, he said.

Unhindered, the organisers are making all arrangements for the rally. — PTI

MEVANI vs CENTRE: Dalit Leader @jigneshmevani80 bike rally to begin from Geeta colony; heavy police deployment at Parliament street | @TanushreePande with more details pic.twitter.com/3muxcWtDVz

— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 9, 2018

Unfortunate, says Jignesh Mevani

Unfortunate. We were just going to demonstrate democratically and peacefully, the Govt is targeting us, an elected representative is not being allowed to speak: Jignesh Mewani on being denied permission for Yuva Hunkar rally in Delhi pic.twitter.com/q4zGhrwBia

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2018

Hindustan Times reports

Heavy police presence at Parliament Street where #YuvaHunkarRally is to take place. pic.twitter.com/rSkH2ksQ7U

— Niha Masih (@NihaMasih) January 9, 2018

Akhil Gogoi was charged with sedition and for spreading religious animosity in December last year

Akhil Gogoi, Assam RTI and farmers’ rights activist is expected to address the rally on Parliament Street. 

Gogoi was was arrested on 13 September on charges of sedition and spreading religious animosity. Later, he was re-arrested on 25 September and 12 cases under the NSA were lodged against him in various police stations. Gogoi was arrested after he urged people to take up arms if those belonging to religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan were granted Indian citizenship according to provisions of the amended Citizenship Act. 

In December, 2017 the Gauhati high court set aside the detention of Gogoi under provisions of the NSA.

So police is neither giving permission nor denying it. What does it mean? It clearly means only one thing, the powers that be are scared of the #YuvaHunkarRally they are trying to dissuade the youth, but also can't do anything illegal. Bure phanse hai 🙂

— Dr. Sanjukta Basu, PhD (@sanjukta) January 9, 2018

Student leader Shehla Rashid tweets a photo of the rally venue: Says everything is on schedule

Come to Parliament Street. The public meeting will take place near Jeevan Vihar (Parliament Street Police Station) pic.twitter.com/pAPnugHOjG

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) January 9, 2018

JNUSU president Mohit Pandey urges supporters to join Yuva Hunkar Rally

Delhi Police reiterates that no permission has been given for any rally

“Nobody has been given a permission. Since there is an NGT order that no protest can be staged at Jantar Mantar, we have asked organisers to hold the protest at alternate sites like Ramlila Maidan,” Ajay Chaudhary, Joint CP of New Delhi told the media on Tuesday after organisers of Yuva Hunkar Rally said they will go ahead with the rally with or without permission. 

Nobody has been given a permission. Since there is an NGT order that no protest can be staged at Jantar Mantar, we have asked organisers to hold the protest at alternate sites like Ramlila Maidan: Ajay Chaudhary, Joint CP of New #Delhi on Jignesh Mevani's 'Yuva Hunkar Rally' pic.twitter.com/asqzrYbhGg

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2018

Rally to begin at 12 pm on Parliament Street: Organisers

In a statement, the organisers have urged the prospective participants to “assemble on the Parliament Street at 12 pm today”. The police are getting ready with water cannons and tear gas to control the crowds, say sources.

Yuva Rally to raise demand for release of Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Azad

The Yuva Hunka Rally seeks to raise the demand for the release of Dalit outfit Bhim Army’s founder Chandrashekhar Azad and emphasis on issues like educational rights, employment, livelihood and gender justice.

A large section of students from universities and colleges in Delhi, women’s groups, teachers’ associations and activists associated with Mevani from across the country are expected to attend the rally.

Azad, 30, was arrested in June last year from Himachal Pradesh as he was the main accused in the Thakur-Dalit clash in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district.

Police tried to remove Mevani supporters who were paying tribute to Ambedkar

According to reports, Delhi Police were removing Jignesh Mevani and Bhim Army Supporters from Ambedkar Park where Mevani was supposed to pay tribute to Ambedkar before leaving for Parliament street for Hunkar rally.

Delhi police removing Jignesh Mewani & Bhim Army Supporters from Ambedkar Park where Mewani to pay tribute to Baba Saheb before leaving for Jantar Mantar for Hunkar rally. @aajtak @IndiaToday pic.twitter.com/XUkLhYAWZz

— ASHUTOSH MISHRA (@JournoAshutosh) January 9, 2018

We are fully prepared, says Delhi JCP, but also says no one is allowed to hold a rally

India Today quoted Delhi’s Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhary who said: “We are fully prepared and are alert. We are well prepared to deal with any situation. No one is allowed to hold a rally here.”

Tear gas, water cannons, paramilitary and 12 companies of police have turned Jantar Mantar into a fortress

According to India Today , Parliament Street has turned into a fortress. Heavy police deployment with personnels prepared for the worst, with tear gas and water cannons, have lined up in Jantar Mantar. All roads leading to the Prime Minister’s house has been blocked.

Mevani tweets, says BJP raj will be soon over

Amid reports of the Yuva Rally being called off and a few reports saying that the venue has changed, Mevani tweeted asking the Narendra Modi government at the Centre to beware of public’s anger.

बांध ले बिस्तर बीजेपी, राज अब जाने को है,
जुल्म काफ़ी कर चुके, पब्लिक बिगड़ जाने को है ।#YuvaRally #hunkar #युवा_हुंकार_रैली_9_जनवरी

— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) January 9, 2018

Delhi: Posters seen in Parliament Street area ahead of Jignesh Mevani's 'Yuva Hunkar Rally'. pic.twitter.com/pp8kamTKmy

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2018

JNUSU president Mohit Kumar Pandey says several attempts made to stop the rally

The NGT on 5 October, 2017 had ordered officials to “immediately stop all activities of dharna, protest, agitations, assembling of people, public speeches and using of loud speakers among others at the Jantar Mantar Road.”

One of the organisers and former JNU Students’ Union president Mohit Kumar Pandey said, “There has been a lot of attempts to stop this event and even some media houses are spreading wrong information that the permission for the rally has been denied.” Ever since the rally was announced on 2 January, “a lot of money has been spent on posters calling Mevani a deshdrohi (traitor) and urban naxal,” Pandey told PTI, adding the event will be held as per schedule.

Mevani and Akhil Gogoi to co-address rally

The ‘Social Justice’ rally or ‘Yuva Hunkaar Rally’ is planned to be addressed by Mevani along with Assam peasant leader Akhil Gogoi.

Heavy police deployment is being reported at the Parliament Street

Delhi: Heavy security deployed ahead of Jignesh Mevani's 'Yuva Hunkar Rally' to be held at Parliament Street. Delhi Police has denied permission to hold the event. pic.twitter.com/7Q8CO9tqVg

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2018

Stopping Yuva Rally undemocratic and violation of fundamental rights: Prashant Bhushan

Former AAP leader and activist Prashant Bhushan tweeted a response to the Delhi DCP tweet ordering Mevani and his followers not to hold the Yuva Rally on Tuesday. Bhushan said that the NGT orders are for Jantar Mantar, not Parliament Street.

Please don't mislead people @DCPNewDelhi.NGT orders are for Jantar Mantar, not Parliament St. SC has always held right to peaceful protest meetings is a fundamental right. Any attempt by police to stop the #YuvaRally tomorrow will be undemocratic & violation of fundamental rights https://t.co/lMo5LOxK91

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) January 8, 2018

DCP Sir, rally to wahin karayenge: Shehla Rashid

Former JNU vice-president and student leader Shehla Rashid tweeted in response to the DCP’s tweet saying that the rally would be held on Parliament Street.

DCP Sir, rally to wahin karayenge :) https://t.co/UzC10xAPVg

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) January 8, 2018

Delhi Police denies permission to hold rally

The Delhi Police said that’s request for holding a rally in New Delhi on Tuesday on Parliament Street has not been granted yet. The police had earlier said that Mevani’s request was “under consideration”.

No permission granted so far by Delhi Police to hold proposed protest at Parliament Street in view of NGT orders. Organisers have been constantly advised to go to alternate site which they are reluctant to accept. @PTI_News @ANI @htTweets @TOIIndiaNews @NavbharatTimes @DDNational

— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) January 8, 2018