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WE 20 People's Summit: Activists, Politicians Come Together To Hold Mirror To G20; Delhi Police Prevents Entry To Venue, Says Jairam Ramesh

The Delhi Police on Saturday allegedly stopped people from attending the "We20" meeting which was organised by activists inside Surjeet Bhawan in New Delhi. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh who was scheduled to speak at the event claimed that the meeting was peaceful and that the Delhi police is denying entry and exit of people from the venue.

We20 People's Summit
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The Delhi police on Saturday allegedly stopped people from attending the "We20" meeting which was organised by activists inside Surjeet Bhawan in New Delhi. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh who was scheduled to speak at the event claimed that the meeting was peaceful and that the Delhi police is denying entry and exit of people from the venue. However, the Delhi police claimed that the organisers did not inform or take permission for the gathering in the "sensitive" zone.

The ‘We20’ people’s summit aims to present a mirror of reality in contrast to the glitz surrounding the G20 summit that India is set to host. The G20 Leaders' Summit is scheduled to be held at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre on September 9-10.

The group which consists of eminent journalists, activists and politicians from across the country, has organised similar workshops and events in the past. On May 22, a public hearing addressing the pressing issue of forced evictions in India was held at Surjeet Bhawan, New Delhi.

"While the glitter, glitz and pride around hosting the G20 has become an exercise of showcasing the “development” story of the regime, the public hearing brought to fore what is carefully omitted, i.e., the brutal saga of bulldozers razing homes to dust," a press release issued by the group had said.

What happened at today's event?

"Delhi Police preventing people from attending We20 meeting organized by activists representing We, The People. This is very surprising. This meeting in a building belonging to CPM is completely peaceful. No protests are being held on the street. I managed to enter at 10.30 am before the Delhi Police started the crackdown but now finding it difficult to get out. This is New India Democracy," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.