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. 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.

Along with Jairam Ramesh, Janata Dal (United) MP Aneel Hegde was also among one of the speakers at the workshops. Human rights activist Harsh Mander said that Delhi police has locked the gates of the venue, disallowing people from entering or exiting. "Leading activists and independent thinkers silenced! Is this a democracy in which people can gather & reflect?" he wrote in a tweet.

According to a report by The Wire, a talk titled ‘Does Modi Administration Really Deliver on Tackling Climate Change, to Protect Environment, Biodiversity & Associated Human Rights, as claimed with G20 & Other Global Fora?’ was scheduled to be held today. 

'Sensitive zone'

The Delhi police said that after information was received, it found that people were gathered and a tent was also erected at the building. The organisers could not produce any valid permission, a senior police officer said, adding that they had not intimated the police about the programme and the gathering, according to PTI. 

 DDU Marg is a sensitive zone and in view of the upcoming G-20 event, no gathering without any prior permission or intimation can be allowed, hence the organisers were advised to remove tents and asked not to continue the programme without a valid permission, the officer said.