Bengaluru: Amid demands from civil society groups and activists for multiple protest venues across Bengaluru, home minister Priyank Kharge has said govt is examining the possibility of denotifying additional locations from restrictions. However, he stressed that the right to protest must be balanced against the interests of other citizens.Kharge told media persons, “We have met a few activists who have suggested that more places need to be denotified within Bengaluru and across the state so that protests can take place and the right to protest is not curbed.”The home minister’s statement comes days after civil society groups exerted pressure on govt to denotify multiple places from restrictions to accommodate protests. Sources in the home department told TOI that govt is examining the issue following an affidavit filed by civil rights activists and others before the high court.The issue has brought the focus back on whether public protests should remain confined to designated venues — currently Freedom Park.Several activists under the banner of Campaign for the Right to Protest staged a protest Monday and demanded that govt remove restrictions that limit protests to Freedom Park. They set Nov 26, Constitution Day, as the deadline for govt to withdraw the restrictions and warned of a citywide civil disobedience on Nov 28 if the demand is not met.Locations such as Maurya Circle, Town Hall Square and Mysore Bank Circle have been suggested as alternative venues.Responding to the demand, Priyank said, “The govt is not interested in curbing citizens’ rights. While we are ensuring that people are able to exercise their rights, we also have to ensure that the rights of other citizens, who are not part of the protests, are protected. It is a very thin line, and we will have to strike a balance,” he added.
