SIR Protests: Pawan Singh Points to Jantar Mantar Permission Row
Bhatpara, October 24: BJP MLA Pawan Singh has issued a strong response to the anti-SIR protests in Delhi, questioning both the intent behind the demonstrations and their financial backing. He argued that the national interest cannot be limited to the capital.
Singh said he doubted the movement of the protesters because they appear to target Delhi alone. If the protesters say they raise their voice for students, youth, or the country, he said, then the country's interest extends to other states too, including those ruled by parties other than the BJP. He said they should raise their voices there as well.
He claimed that the protesters are receiving funding and have only one goal: to bring the BJP down by any means. According to him, the BJP is portrayed as wrong and as acting against the nation, which he rejected. He said he believes the people of India are increasingly understanding this agenda, and that the support and popularity these protests once enjoyed are gradually declining.
Focusing on the Jantar Mantar issue, Singh said the protesters were allowed to hold a demonstration there the first time. However, anti-national activities took place beyond the protest itself. That is why, he said, they were stopped the second time. The protesters later approached the Supreme Court, insisting on demonstrating on the same date. Singh said this seemed questionable to him and suggested the court may have viewed it the same way.
He emphasized that administration sets the schedule and provides security and arrangements for protests. Insisting on a particular time, he said, pointed to some plan. He felt an anti-national mindset was visible, which he believes is why the Supreme Court did not grant permission.
Singh said such groups do not deserve much intellectual effort. If the work of a government or party is right, it should be presented openly before the public, and these groups would fade away. Wasting time and money on them, he said, would divert resources from real problems.
On Nazia Khan's claims, Singh said the Centre should not be negligent and should act on the matter. He pointed to the popularity of the two chief ministers, who he said are working to protect Sanatan Dharma and may therefore face threats. He noted that the Uttar Pradesh chief minister and other leaders have received security threats before. He stressed that the matter needs serious examination and an investigation into who from Pakistan is involved.
Reacting to the appeal from Delhi's traders and small businesses, Singh said it should be considered. He explained that the puja season and Diwali are the most crucial period for traders, when business is at its best, so any protest that disrupts commerce directly reduces their income.